Solar car charger

[Nessal]

Does anyone run one of these? Since my car gets started less than once every two weeks now i thought it would be a good idea. If so, which ones do you guys use.

[Blk-Ice]

Do you have a picture of that? Just curious since i didnt even know they had those. As for me it wouldnt work because my car stays inside under a cover most of the time....however i do feel its a great idea for those that leave their ride outside in the elements...especially during the winter months.

[Nessal]

I dont have a picture but if you search on amazon there a bunch. Just not sure which one to get. Actually dealerships have been using these since 2001 to keep the batteries on their cars topped off.

[Jessika]

I saw one of those at Frys yesterday. Awesome idea


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[Mr. iNCREDIBLE]

completely worthless.

to the point that they can actually drain your car battery.. In order for it to be effective it needs to be the size of the roof of the vehicle, a 12" x 6" panel on the dash is worthless for anything except maybe charging a cell phone.


yes I have tried them, IMO it is just another of those wonderful snake oil products.


also keep in mind these run thru the cig lighter, and since ours are not active when the car is not running, (they are switched off) they will do nothing for you unless you rewire that connection to be always hot.

[Nessal]

Originally Posted by Mr. iNCREDIBLE

completely worthless.

to the point that they can actually drain your car battery.. In order for it to be effective it needs to be the size of the roof of the vehicle, a 12" x 6" panel on the dash is worthless for anything except maybe charging a cell phone.


yes I have tried them, IMO it is just another of those wonderful snake oil products.


also keep in mind these run thru the cig lighter, and since ours are not active when the car is not running, (they are switched off) they will do nothing for you unless you rewire that connection to be always hot.

There are many car dealerships that use them. They don't use them to charge the battery, just to keep it topped off. I believe most plug in trickle chargers are only 1.5A so a solar panel should be able to supply that. I don't see how it can drain your battery as it doesn't draw power, only supply it.

[Mr. iNCREDIBLE]

Originally Posted by Nessal

There are many car dealerships that use them. They don't use them to charge the battery, just to keep it topped off. I believe most plug in trickle chargers are only 1.5A so a solar panel should be able to supply that. I don't see how it can drain your battery as it doesn't draw power, only supply it.

because if you "top" the battery off too much you actually kill the cells by drying up the electrolyte, trickle chargers for motorcycles are great for this..

if you are storing the car the best bet is to unplug the battery, not try to keep it "topped" up..

and no offense but I don't have a whole lot of faith in anything "dealerships" do. I mean these are the same idiots that scratch cars when washing them, put wheel cleaner on that discolors and damages the Brembo brake calipers, and try and sell you "dealer" services that are not needed and outside the spectrum of the manufacturers recommendations.

[SleepWarz]

Originally Posted by Mr. iNCREDIBLE

because if you "top" the battery off too much you actually kill the cells by drying up the electrolyte, trickle chargers for motorcycles are great for this..

Good thing you can add water!

[Mr. iNCREDIBLE]

Originally Posted by SleepWarz

Good thing you can add water!

not to a sealed battery...