hymer1942 Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Afternoon all, quickie, will a 1.5 w solar trickle charger through the Cig. Lighter be enough to keep my engine battery topped up. Barrie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freewheeler Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 The short answer is NO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BGD Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 The long answer is also " no". You'll not get anything like 1.5 watts from it in the real world of shifting sun, clouds, dust on solar panel etc. And that's even if you cigar lighter is still "live" when the engine ignition is off. We live in (very sunny) Spain, and we've got an 85 watt solar panel on the roof of our MH, which trickle charges both our engine battery and our two leaiure batteries, via two separate regulators. That is a BIG panel. It works just fine over here where it is very sunny almost all day, almost all days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poursay Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Hi I bought a 1.5w solar charger from Maplins about 18 months ago and have used it both on my 'van ( Kontiki) and car - obviously not at the same time - and confirm that it held the charge in the battery. So if your battery is fully charged to start with, then should be OK. I left the van for 2 months whilst in New Zealand and came back to find the battery reading as I left it. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poursay Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Sorry, forgot to add, had to be connected direct to battery as cig. lighter only works with ignition on. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
engineDrogba Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 From my experence, a 1.55W based on 12V solar trickle charger does make your battery never stranded again! I use a solar charger for engine emergency. My car doesn't do that weird throbbing sound whenever I start it up, as the battery is fully charged and doesn't struggle when my car starts.. More information on this, check page: http://www.espow.com/wholesale-solar-charger-for-12v-car-battery-quick-starts-your-engine-prolongs-battery-life.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogP Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 I was talking to a technician at the dealers when my EM unit failed and asked him the best way to keep the battery topped up and he said these units worked OK providing the battery was in good condition and fully charged. He seemed to indicate they should counteract the drain from the alarm and oddly enough the reversing camera. Apparently the setup on my van is such that the factory fitted camera is live wired and constantly draws a current - hence why both leisure and MH battery drain in about 3 days - DOH!! Not yet got around to hard wiring mine onto the battery but will give it go and see what happens. Hopefully better than leaving on hookup at home , as the MH isn't insured if the Cat 1 Immobiliser isn't activated and if the battery is drained then it isn't - cant see how that works but that was the view of the insurer when I was initially sorting out the EM problem and as any tealeaf would have to jump start the van to nick it seemed excessive!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hymer1942 Posted June 11, 2010 Author Share Posted June 11, 2010 Thanks to all, will have thoughts. Barrie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 The longer answer is, depends on your vehicle and how much the current draw is. As above it might keep up with an older van with no camera, but on x250 and or camera fitted 10w is the starting point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hymer1942 Posted June 15, 2010 Author Share Posted June 15, 2010 Thanks all, I have decided to get solar panel system [ I have 2 ] to do the engine battery charge. Barrie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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