solar trickle chargers - any good?

[geoffo]

i leave the scoob for periods of time and often it may not start, anyone used these wee solar trickle chargers and can you get them locally?

ta -

 

[Cartunes]

yup, I have one from Maplin (it was on offer) giving a decent trickle charge that kept the tiny Japanese battery in tip-top condition. 1 watt is all you need.

 

[RoniN]

http://reallymeansounds.com/forum/threads/solar-power-trickle-chargers.145817/

http://reallymeansounds.com/forum/threads/solar-trickle-chargers.119067/

I have one and it keeps the car battery topped up fine. Got it on ebay.

Cheers

 

[Nicky]

The aul lad has 1 mounted on the front of his curtain side tri-axle car transporter to keep the battery under it charged. The battery is there to power the winch and ramp, and the solar charger keeps plenty of life in it. He's more than impressed by it.

 

[geoffo]

thanks lads, didnt see the other threads, didnt actually search whoops.

appreciate the in-sider knowledge - mods can take this down, thanks again guys

 

[Alan_B]

I have one for the boat and it keeps the battery well topped up.

Other thing to look into Geoff - is there anything draining the battery - aftermarket headunit etc?

 

[m00k]

Yeah Cav n Cali battery maintained by one altho I find them better if u disconnect the batt from the car

 

[Artoir]

Any recommendations? @lightning @Woodcutter or any other traders do them?

 

[Nicky]

@ae86clyde might be able to offer something from Colin Adams, if they do them.

 

[geoffo]

pretty sure the cars not draining anytthing, ive all the interrior bulbs out and that whole cars ignition live - dead.

i usuaully buy off ebay but theres some horror stories on feedback!

 

[lightning]

Yeah we never have any problems with the sealey ones….seem a well made thing.
spp01 £18.50 all in, spp03 £46 all in.

http://www.sealey.co.uk/PLPageBuilder.asp?id=20&method=mViewProduct&productid=12096

http://www.sealey.co.uk/PLPageBuild...dividualTypeID=&category=0&requiredresults=16

 

[geoffo]

@lightning do you sell these in a shop mate?

thanks -

 

[Artoir]

That SPP01 looks perfect

 

[lightning]

@lightning do you sell these in a shop mate?

thanks -

yeah we're in glenavy tho have vans all over if your not local?

http://reallymeansounds.com/forum/forums/denis-wilson-of-glenavy.67/

Have the spp01 in stock ok. The 03 would be 2 days to get, it's not as popular due to it's price.

 

[geoffo]

cheers mate - your a star, will get back - might have a pal near maplins this morn too!

 

[Storm]

Been meaning to get myself one of these for the little used MR2

Just ordered this one from Maplins, half price & free delivery, cant be bad

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/solar-powered-12v-24w-battery-trickle-charger-n59fu

 

[Artoir]

My cigarette plug isn't live when the ignition is off, so I might butcher an old obd cable to save trying to run cables to the battery or splice in anywhere.

 

[Cartunes]

pretty sure the cars not draining anytthing, ive all the interrior bulbs out and that whole cars ignition live - dead.

i usuaully buy off ebay but theres some horror stories on feedback!

the car ALWAYS drains something - Shortly after ignition off, this drain is usually in the 30-50mA region. If you use a multimeter, set to 10 amps between the batt post and negative terminal (remove terminal and place black lead to battery and red lead to the earth cable) and take a reading, it should show .02 - ish. (20mA)

Given that the average Japenese battery is around 50AH capacity, the battery will be drained in

50000mA / 20mA = 2500 hours or just over 100 days given a 100% State of Charge which few batteries will ever meet after a year or two of normal use.

Check the battery voltage after a good run out (half an hour of motorway speeds/ high revs) - if you wait half an hour for the "surface charge" to settle down, the reading should be 12.6v for a normal lead-acid battery. If it's less than 12, then either give it an overnight charge (important to do this in winter), or replace it with a known fully-charged battery.

 

[Storm]

My cigarette plug isn't live when the ignition is off,

didn't think about it not being live... looks like i'm going to have to figure something out lol

 

[Cartunes]

View attachment 51042

didn't think about it not being live... looks like i'm going to have to figure something out lol

Just swap your fag lighter live for a permanent one at the fusebox - make sure it is on the unfused side of the box and use an inline fuse.

 

[Storm]

Del said:

Just swap your fag lighter live for a permanent one at the fusebox - make sure it is on the unfused side of the box and use an inline fuse.

Del may as well have said:

 

[Andy044]

the car ALWAYS drains something - Shortly after ignition off, this drain is usually in the 30-50mA region. If you use a multimeter, set to 10 amps between the batt post and negative terminal (remove terminal and place black lead to battery and red lead to the earth cable) and take a reading, it should show .02 - ish. (20mA)

Del, what would be an acceptible current drain and what would be excessive? Just for future fault finding reference

I find that is the car is going to be sitting about for a period of time if just as handy to life the lead of the battery to prevent any current drain

 

[geoffo]

lol - love the way this has gone and the way you guys think =)

well... thanks to all and i got sorted, got a 1/2 price job from maplins and my new battery should land today, here's hopen!!!

gfo.

 

[marcusplowman]

Wont be much use if your car is garaged or under a cover tho Ive got an Oxford Maximiser on mine.

 

[brocks]

Theres one for sale in the group buys / deals section on here for about £12 FYI

http://reallymeansounds.com/forum/threads/solar-powered-12v-2-4w-battery-trickle-charger.164124/