Morris Minor Owners Club

My radio memory drains the battery, and am worried it will, one day, cause the car to fail to start - my question is would a permanent solar panel fitted stop that happening do you think? Also, could I drive about with it still connected - I was thinking of permanently wiring it in you see.

Any help appreciated!

The small* solar panels I use for battery maintenance (e.g. parking up for prolonged periods) specify to disconnect when driving.
(* small as in half the size of a laptop)

However I have on some occasions driven with them still attached and it didn't break them - however although that's not to say it is a good idea.

It would be worth to shop around and try to find one that doesn't say to disconnect when car is in use - that way if there is a problem it'll still be in warranty ;-)

I use one on permanent trickle on a car battery in my shed, probably about the same size as Rays, the battery is used in summer on a 12v moble drinks cooler, for barbies and all that.
It seems to work well enough.

There is no reason to disconnect... Except to make sure you don 't drag it off the wall. It is protected by diode....it will be fine.

haha - I'll give one a go then I think!

I had one on my MR2 for about a year and half when i was only doing short journeys and it was fine. The other ting you could do maybe is fit a slightly larger battery, just fitted one to mine but im not sure if the one that was on it was a bit small anyway. I'll take the details of it tonight.

Arthurdaily wrote:My radio memory drains the battery, and am worried it will, one day, cause the car to fail to start - my question is would a permanent solar panel fitted stop that happening do you think? Also, could I drive about with it still connected - I was thinking of permanently wiring it in you see.

Any help appreciated!

Have you fitted these panels? It seems like great idea for battery back up..Share your experience.