Could this be the answer for non garage users
Discussion
Advice please from any of you technically minded owners........
I am wondering if this would do the trick for our TVRs .........
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0059U1B9K/ref=...
especially when the car 'lives' outside away from an electrical point. As we all know, if the Tiv is left unused after a week or so the battery can go flat and the car will fail to start. However, if we have access to an electrical Accumate and it is plugged via the cigar lighter this generally is not a problem, but for those of us without a garage and/or electrical supply do you think this meets the problem? ........ A 10w AKT solar battery charger with diode and cigar lighter plug and lead (1.9m) for £45 on Amazon. (The reviews seem to be OK).
As the car is kept covered, I am looking for a waterproof panel. (i.e. for the panel to 'live' outside and not left inside behind the windscreen). I note that some panels are waterproof and some aren't, this one in question, seems to be waterproof.
My question to you electrical wizards: is 10W OK? Is this a gimmick or will it do the trick for our TVRs? Can any of you gives us the pros and cons - Hopefully this could be the answer for my summer use when the car is not in winter storage.
I welcome your comments, good or bad! Many thanks.
I am wondering if this would do the trick for our TVRs .........
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0059U1B9K/ref=...
especially when the car 'lives' outside away from an electrical point. As we all know, if the Tiv is left unused after a week or so the battery can go flat and the car will fail to start. However, if we have access to an electrical Accumate and it is plugged via the cigar lighter this generally is not a problem, but for those of us without a garage and/or electrical supply do you think this meets the problem? ........ A 10w AKT solar battery charger with diode and cigar lighter plug and lead (1.9m) for £45 on Amazon. (The reviews seem to be OK).
As the car is kept covered, I am looking for a waterproof panel. (i.e. for the panel to 'live' outside and not left inside behind the windscreen). I note that some panels are waterproof and some aren't, this one in question, seems to be waterproof.
My question to you electrical wizards: is 10W OK? Is this a gimmick or will it do the trick for our TVRs? Can any of you gives us the pros and cons - Hopefully this could be the answer for my summer use when the car is not in winter storage.
I welcome your comments, good or bad! Many thanks.
Used to use a cheap one from maplin, on my europa S, it blew the fuse so it appears it wasnt offering a proper regulated charge to the battery.. which could (when it stops raining) lead to overcharging etc.
Oxford bike products do a solar based charger which may offer suitable trickle charging for a Tiv as long as the battery is in reasonable fettle/charge to start with.
Oxford bike products do a solar based charger which may offer suitable trickle charging for a Tiv as long as the battery is in reasonable fettle/charge to start with.
Spend your money on a new battery instead and/or get an auto-electrician to check for any power drains or 'leaks' when the car is shut down and parked with the doors closed. Don't assume that because the interior light has extinguished with closing the door that all is OK.
A friend did and was dismayed to find, on very detailed inspection, that the push switch had switched off the light but needed depressing a fraction further to deactivate a relay somewhere and it was this that was continually but slowly draining his battery. A simple small neoprene pad attached to the lower edge of the door where it strikes the button was all that was needed to depress the plunger sufficiently..
My 1998 Chimaera 450 has sat for several weeks at a time (up to five weeks) often in the depths of winter in a very cold and remote "council lock-up". In over 5 years, only once did the original 3.5 year old battery sound down on power and the engine only just 'caught'. I immediately bought a new battery and it's been perfect since even through the bitterly cold winter this year.
It's simply NOT true that these cars can't be left without keeping the battey topped up.
As for "winter storage".... use it all year round (avoiding wet salty roads of course!). You'll avoid seals drying out, you'll avoid distorting the tyres (unless you lift the car when in storage) and you'll generally keep everything lubricated and corrosion free. It'll love you for it!!
A friend did and was dismayed to find, on very detailed inspection, that the push switch had switched off the light but needed depressing a fraction further to deactivate a relay somewhere and it was this that was continually but slowly draining his battery. A simple small neoprene pad attached to the lower edge of the door where it strikes the button was all that was needed to depress the plunger sufficiently..
My 1998 Chimaera 450 has sat for several weeks at a time (up to five weeks) often in the depths of winter in a very cold and remote "council lock-up". In over 5 years, only once did the original 3.5 year old battery sound down on power and the engine only just 'caught'. I immediately bought a new battery and it's been perfect since even through the bitterly cold winter this year.
It's simply NOT true that these cars can't be left without keeping the battey topped up.
As for "winter storage".... use it all year round (avoiding wet salty roads of course!). You'll avoid seals drying out, you'll avoid distorting the tyres (unless you lift the car when in storage) and you'll generally keep everything lubricated and corrosion free. It'll love you for it!!
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