solar battery charging

**5seaterT5x2** · Friday 4th January 2013, 18:26

Due to the fact i dont use the car much i usually have to mess about and jump start it ok can be done but just a pain in the $$$$ so am wondering about a solar charger can just leave it on car no worries about running cables etc. my question is how powerfull charger would i need? for instance would this do? or would i nneed more output? guess it's mainly the alarm that kills it?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/solar-powere...-charger-98358

**Harvey** · Friday 4th January 2013, 18:31

Nice little unit I have one which I always use when cars left a airport car parks never had a problem starting the car even when it's been very cold for a couple of weeks,great idea i keep it in the boot all year round.

**5seaterT5x2** · Friday 4th January 2013, 19:35

Originally Posted by Harvey

Nice little unit I have one which I always use when cars left a airport car parks never had a problem starting the car even when it's been very cold for a couple of weeks,great idea i keep it in the boot all year round.

ok thanks but do you mean you use one of these units? or something similar? more or less powerfull? thanks Gareth

**Harvey** · Friday 4th January 2013, 19:56

Originally Posted by 5seaterT5x2

ok thanks but do you mean you use one of these units? or something similar? more or less powerfull? thanks Gareth

Yes got the same size unit.

**martybelfastt5** · Friday 4th January 2013, 22:20

have to invest in one of these

**5seaterT5x2** · Monday 21st January 2013, 17:01

think i must have some kind of electrical fault battery was replaced last winter with a heavy duty version for the t5, but only lasts about a week tops even after a decent run, and solar panel dont seem able to keep it charged. i realise electrical can be lots of fun and how long is a piece of string lol but are there any regular known places where this might be ocurring? i'm guessing theres some kinds drain on battery somewheres am getting fed up with jump starting the flamin thing as io dont use the car that much ;-/

**M-R-P** · Monday 21st January 2013, 17:13

Oblark had a problem with his 850 where the outside temp sensor shorted to earth and would take his battery down in 2 days. Worth a look.

**5seaterT5x2** · Monday 21st January 2013, 18:19

Originally Posted by M-R-P

Oblark had a problem with his 850 where the outside temp sensor shorted to earth and would take his battery down in 2 days. Worth a look.

oh right ok i'll look into that, just bin outside with torch to locate item seems easyish to get to and get out

**nobananas** · Monday 21st January 2013, 21:24

Just out of interest, the solar panel, is it connected to the battery or plugged into the ciggy lighter, if it's the latter it won't work if the ciggy lighter only works with the ignition on.

**5seaterT5x2** · Monday 21st January 2013, 22:01

Originally Posted by nobananas

Just out of interest, the solar panel, is it connected to the battery or plugged into the ciggy lighter, if it's the latter it won't work if the ciggy lighter only works with the ignition on.

straight to the battery

**5seaterT5x2** · Tuesday 22nd January 2013, 08:25

Originally Posted by M-R-P

Oblark had a problem with his 850 where the outside temp sensor shorted to earth and would take his battery down in 2 days. Worth a look.

but then again, surely if the digital temp gauge (as opposed to the coolant gauge) appears to be working surely the sensor should be ok? but think as it's so open to the elements i'll get amongst it at the first opportunity just to check

**5seaterT5x2** · Tuesday 22nd January 2013, 10:50

ok well anyway have unplugged the little blighter and battery on charge outside me garage, we shall see ;-/

**5seaterT5x2** · Wednesday 23rd January 2013, 21:56

guess its not the sensor? as it's unplugged and battery flat tonight $$$$ **

**5seaterT5x2** · Thursday 24th January 2013, 22:05

can anybody tell me which fuse is for the outside temperature sensor please? it's not marked on fusebox lid. thanks gareth

**nobananas** · Thursday 24th January 2013, 22:34

The way I usually check for a current draw is to get a multimeter which has a minimum of a 10 amp load capacity. Disconnect the positive batt terminal and connect the multimeter in series with the meter reading amps. If you can close the bonnet with the meter outside then that will be better then lock the car how you would normally. You will get a current spike when the central locking kicks in (but it's usually less then 10 amps so the meters fuse shouldn't pop) and it will take a few minutes till everything quietens down. As a general rule you shouldn't be seeing anything more then 0.5 of an amp (usually you would see far less). Anything more and something is drawing current when it shouldn't be. If you can open the bonnet (wedge down any alarm pin switches) and start pulling fuses one by one till the current reading drops off then it's just a case of tracing the faulty component on that fuseway.

**jotter22** · Friday 25th January 2013, 07:48

Is the unit waterproof or does it have to be inside the car?

Tony.

**5seaterT5x2** · Friday 25th January 2013, 12:24

Originally Posted by 5seaterT5x2

can anybody tell me which fuse is for the outside temperature sensor please? it's not marked on fusebox lid. thanks gareth

bumpety bump

**5seaterT5x2** · Friday 25th January 2013, 12:25

Originally Posted by jotter22

Is the unit waterproof or does it have to be inside the car?

Tony.

not sure but i just put mine on my dash and route the wire out passenger door and under bonnet

**5seaterT5x2** · Friday 25th January 2013, 13:00

just bought one of these nice compact little jobby, fits nice n snug under the bonnet with it shut. ideal for the bikes as well.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...er/7404881.htm

**LeeT5** · Monday 28th January 2013, 12:22

I have a solar panel charger that plugs directly into my EOBD socket inside the car. Just rest it on the dash and the flashing blue led tells you that its charging. Brilliant.
Don't even have to open the boot to get to the battery, which is impossible without proper tools on a P2. Unit also has crocodile clips if you want to connect it directly to the battery.
It cost me £24.

Don't buy it off eBay else it will cost you £29. Just find an AA man and ask to buy it off him.