Solar Battery Maintainer

[racer12306]

We have a situation in the family where a car may sit for several months. This car is generally not near an AC source as it is parked at a condo.

I know the best thing is to disconnect the battery, but that isn't really an option. I'm thinking a solar battery maintainer like this would do the job well. Couple that with the cigarette lighter adapter (pretty sure the power plug is hot 24/7, need to check that) and it should be a very simple setup and prevent the situation that we have right now, a super dead battery that probably cannot be saved.

Anyone have experience with the solar ones?

 

[montero1]

http://www.amazon.com/Sunforce-50123-Sol...battery+charger

I like this one. My friend has this on is H1.

 

[Lyman]

I used one on a motorhome that was parked a lot of the time. Worked great. Always had charged batteries when I went to fire it up. I would have dead ones before the charger.

 

[bvance554]

Since you mentioned the cigarette plug adapter I have to ask if you're planning on keeping the solar panel inside the vehicle - like on the dash while it is plugged in? It won't work well inside of your vehicle. The windshield filters out most of the UV light. But I think the panel is a good option to maintain a battery.

 

[racer12306]

Originally Posted By: bvance554
Since you mentioned the cigarette plug adapter I have to ask if you're planning on keeping the solar panel inside the vehicle - like on the dash while it is plugged in? It won't work well inside of your vehicle. The windshield filters out most of the UV light. But I think the panel is a good option to maintain a battery.


I was wondering about that.

Would it work, just not as effective? I don't believe it takes much to maintain an idle battery.

 

[901Memphis]

Originally Posted By: racer12306
Originally Posted By: bvance554
Since you mentioned the cigarette plug adapter I have to ask if you're planning on keeping the solar panel inside the vehicle - like on the dash while it is plugged in? It won't work well inside of your vehicle. The windshield filters out most of the UV light. But I think the panel is a good option to maintain a battery.


I was wondering about that.

Would it work, just not as effective? I don't believe it takes much to maintain an idle battery.


The 5w might not be enough power, but the 20w would.

 

[lars11]

it will work. it will trickle charge the battery but if it is enough is a question of how much juice the car uses when turned off and that may vary a lot.
A 20w sounds like it will be more than enough, just place it where there are the most hours of light during a day.