solar battery charger

hi there have the common problem on my td5 that after a few days of not using it sometimes the battery is dead wondering if any one has used one of these to keep battery charged thanks or is there a better method

buy a new battery?

battery is about two months old

I've made my own panels from silicon solar cells,0.5 sq mt gives about 60-80 watts or 4 Amps max in bright sunshine -you need 18 volts + to charge a 12 volt battery.The smaller ones on ebay for about £20.00 do not do much,especially when behind a windscreen,and if it is coated are even worse.(do you have a/c)
You need to measure your current drain when static(put amps meter in line with batt +ve) then compare this figure with what the panel will produce remember your drain is for 24 hrs,and the panel is only producing in sunny weather.
Personally I would try and find what is draining your batt so quick,or if shot get a new one-My solar panels keep my spare batts topped up,but they are large panels

if its a common problem why dont you fit a battery isolator like on a rally car, ?

yu sure yu aint gorra current leak on yo battery? get that sorted first.

I leave mine 4 or 5 days at a time no problem 2004 td5 Es premium

shaggyo said:

hi there have the common problem on my td5 that after a few days of not using it sometimes the battery is dead wondering if any one has used one of these to keep battery charged thanks or is there a better method

Click to expand...

Sounds like you have a problem. Get that sorted first.
I can leave my V8 for weeks and it will start.
My last 300TDi was the same I could leave it at least a couple of weeks.

I leave mine 2 weeks at a time with no problem. I stuck a solar charger in my previous 110 after getting a flat battery when I didn't use it for a a month . I never got one again even thoughit was only a 1.5 watt cheapy job.

shaggyo said:

battery is about two months old

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I've known even nearly new batteries to fail due to the electrolyte being to be low in one cell, hopefully you have a battery that that can be checked.

I always gone for a replacement battery with cell caps so I can check the electrolyte level and topup as required but last year I had to replace my battery after 9 years so what did I get .. for the first time a fully sealed one, it's full sealed unless I start digging around with a screwdriver. So we will see how long that lasts.

Anyway my disco was parked up for 4 weeks with this new battery fitted and started ok just the same as it does parked up over night

i leave mine parked in the airport carpark for a fortnight with no probs, even after xmas .