Solar-Powered battery top up?

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MrJC

Well-Known Member
I was caught out twice last winter (no snow or on holiday) when I have left my Landy for a few weeks and my imobiliser has sucked the battery flat. I am looking at getting a solar panel to attach to the battery by a 'live' cig/12v socket I will have fitted to my 110.
I know the winter months offer just 8hrs light with little sun but thats really when we need it or at least I do. I have had a root on our search system but not found a lot.
I think all that most of us would want is something to delay the battery being sucked dry by say an extra week to 10 days with a solar panel in winter lots more in summer. If we want more... then plug into mains on a trickle charge.

Issues I have with my 110

No rear parcel shelf so it has to go on the windscreen or dash? Lets look at internal mounted panels

These are the ones I have found... anyone do better for a £30 budget?

SolarPowered 12V 4.8W Battery Charger : Solar Battery Chargers : Maplin

[ame=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Powerbee-Trickle-Charger-battery-caravans/dp/B000BTCKYY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305387808&sr=1-1]Powerbee ES 300 Solar Power Trickle Charger 3W, 12v battery charger for cars, caravans, camping: powerbee: Amazon.co.uk: Garden & Outdoors[/ame]



12v Solar Panel Battery Trickle Charger caravan car | eBay UK


Is the 1.5v worth buying? (last one) The one on Amazon looks ok?

I need to mount the fooker... the maplin one is great for RRs or Discos? but not for the 110.

Lets have your views... have you got one fitted? Waste of time? Share your views :)
 
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Been using this 4w model - purchased from Amazon - since January

Does the job and at £20 I felt it was worth a try. Been pleased with it.

[ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Solar-Briefcase-Battery-Trickle-Charger/dp/B003EDUSWU/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1305446490&sr=8-9"]12v 4 Watt W Solar Panel Fold Up Briefcase Battery: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics[/ame]
 
Dont forget on most of the cheap ones you have to disconnect them before starting the engine as it can damage them.


Lynall
 
Not the same as a Landy but same reason, Into my classic VWs and loads of my mates run them espeicaly in campers just to top up the battery Mate has one permantly bolted to his roof rack and hard wired does the job rather well and i think it was that Maplin one, Most modern solar chargers dont require direct sunlight just light so even on a cloudy day it will charge. Thinking of doing similar on my 90
 
Dont forget on most of the cheap ones you have to disconnect them before starting the engine as it can damage them.


Lynall



The Amazon one I bought one has a diode and can be left connected all the time if required

I balance it behind the disklock when not using the Landy, so just disconnect - otherwise it is just in the way:D
 
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Hope it does what you want - started my landy this evening after it had been unused for 4 weeks but had the charger connected - have been working on the chassis - engine turned over quickly and fired immediately

Just one thing to bear in mind - needs to either be connected directly to the battery or a permanent live fed lighter socket.

I fitted a second lighter socket hard wired directly to the battery via a separate blade fuse to give a dedicated connection point
 
I have 1 mounted on my landy is a maplin Solar-Powered 12V 1.5W Battery Trickle Charger. the landy has been parked up for the winter as it failed the mot last year in sep and not started until may this year battery ok stated 1st time and saved the battery from freezing at -17c will recommend a solar charger :D
 
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