Solar powered battery conditioner...

[banjolucknicker]

Does anyone have any experience of using one of these?

My car is garage all the time, but there is little to no chance of getting power to the garage. My deductions have led me to believe the solar powered option is the only choice.

I've done a search on the forums but I've not really found anything conclusive.

Are they safe to use with the Chimaera?

What is the performance like, are they worth the money?

Is there a preferred supplier?

All inputs greatly appreciated.

[banjolucknicker]

Also, what do you think of this...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30900&item=7923498131&rd=1

[CharlieAlpha66]

If the car is in a garage all the time, how is the sun going to get at the solar panel!!?

You can get a weatherproof cable for the AccuMate battery conditioner, so if I were you I'd run this into your garage from the mains in the house by whatever means.

I'm taking delivery of mine this afternoon (if the courier shows up as expected).

[banjolucknicker]

CharlieAlpha66 said:

If the car is in a garage all the time, how is the sun going to get at the solar panel!!? You can get a weatherproof cable for the AccuMate battery conditioner, so if I were you I'd run this into your garage from the mains in the house by whatever means. I'm taking delivery of mine this afternoon (if the courier shows up as expected).

I was going to put the solar panel on the roof of the garage and feed the cable down to the car.

Getting a weatherproof cable to garage it going to be a little tricky given the location, there's a couple of houses in between my house and the garage block.

[sgrimshaw]

banjolucknicker said:

I was going to put the solar panel on the roof of the garage and feed the cable down to the car.

Normally these things are designed to sit on the dashboard or the rear parcel shelf - I'd check before buying if they are waterproof!

I checked the web-site from the ebay advert - the company has other solar panels which are clearly designed to be outside - much more expensive though.

Failing everything else, probably worth a punt if you have no other options - maybe you can rig up a waterproof cover ?

Simon

[.Mark]

I bought one from Maplins last year - crock of shite.

[banjolucknicker]

.Mark said:

I bought one from Maplins last year - crock of shite.

in what way?

[.Mark]

Yes, sorry mate, after I pressed submit I thought it was a lame reply.

I just don't think it keeps the battery topped up enough, I once left the car I use it on (old XR2i) on the drive for 3 weeks and when I came to start it the battery was flat. Now it could be that there is a drain on the battery that draws more than the charger can replace but I don't think there is, the only non-standard part to the car is a Cat 1 immobiliser and I'm pretty sure that doesn't draw any power - someone prove me wrong?

I haven't used it since, I just make sure I use the car once a week for a run and that keeps the battery going.

By the way this was parked on a south facing drive in the summer so was getting maybe 12 hours of full daylight on it too. Perhaps I just got a dodgy one? Where are you - parhaps you'd like to borrow mine and see how you get on with it?