Page 1 of 1

solar charger

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 12:14 pm
by sidsmith
Hi, would this be any good for leaving my moggy battery on a lengthy charge during the winter.
mungo





http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=98358

Re: solar charger

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 12:48 pm
by Matt Tomkins
don't see any reason why it wouldn't work, though i would probably suggest getting a cheep plug-in one and charging the battery off the car unless it's in a garage - in which case a solar charger wouldn't work anyway!
if you leave a solar charger on the top of the car, it's an easy nick for any dishonest passers-by.
also, unless you thread it through the bottom of the engine bay, the bonnet would need to be popped up. the presence of a charger would give this away and could be considered an open invitation to have the battery away. or worse.
sadly, there are some dishonest people out there :/

Re: solar charger

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 1:25 pm
by sidsmith
:oops: sorry forgot to say my car is always garaged when not in use so I thought I could fix the charger to the roof of the garage or the side of the garage and put the leads through and inside the garage.
mungo :o

Re: solar charger

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 1:54 pm
by SGTBILKO
There is another thread on this site about solar chargers. I understand that this system is perfectly satisfactory and would be fine on the garage roof. It would just need an occasional clean.

Re: solar charger

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 1:58 pm
by Matt Tomkins
sorry forgot to say my car is always garaged when not in use so I thought I could fix the charger to the roof of the garage or the side of the garage and put the leads through and inside the garage.
mungo
sounds like it would work - obviously you'd have to extend the wires, though

Re: solar charger

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 2:01 pm
by SGTBILKO
Maybe you should check the suitability of this charger for outdoor use before sticking it on the garage roof, just a thought. Some are designed to work stuck on the inside of a windscreen.

Re: solar charger

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 4:05 pm
by bmcecosse
I can't be bothered searching for the previous thread - but I have two of these - fitted to the front of the garage under the overhang so they are protected from rain and the high summer sun - but get the winter sun 'full on' - the garage faces south. I started my TR7 yesterday without the slightest trouble - after putting it away at end September. Maplins have the 1.5 watt version on sale for £10 just now at - it's a screaming bargain........

Re: solar charger

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 4:26 pm
by sidsmith
:D Thanks all, I think i'll pop along to Maplins tomorrow and get a couple, seeing as they are on offer until 25/01/11 :P :P

Re: solar charger

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 4:59 pm
by bmcecosse
Only connect one charger to one battery!

Re: solar charger

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 5:09 pm
by LouiseM
bmcecosse wrote:I can't be bothered searching for the previous thread
Here it is for those interested: http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f= ... r+charging

Re: solar charger

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 7:12 pm
by bmcecosse
:oops: :-?