Solar Powered Battery Conditioner. Does It Exist?

[flintstone]

I've searched the threads for comments on battery chargers and think I'm right in saying that a conditioner is better than a charger because of it's inbuilt ability to switch off once the battery is charged.

This being so does anyone know of such a thing as a solar powered battery conditioner?

[Stig]

Yes. Available from Maplin Electronics.

You need a fair bit of sun though.

[ian8542]

There are solar powered units available on the Web which either connect to the battery or plug into a cigarette lighter socket.

[gixxer1000]

Stig said:

Yes. Available from Maplin Electronics. You need a fair bit of sun though.

I bought one from this lot. Total rubbish. Drained the battery a treat! Perhaps I got a dud though.

gixxer

[Martin_S]

You can buy them online at www.eliseparts.com as well.

Not sure whether its the same one that Maplins sell or how well it works, though.

>> Edited by Martin_S on Monday 11th October 22:38

[flintstone]

Aaah. But Maplins describe it as a charger.

What will happen to the battery if it just keeps charging as opposed to a conditioner which switches itself off when full capacity is reached?

[.Mark]

gixxer1000 said:

[quote=Stig] I bought one from this lot. Total rubbish. Drained the battery a treat! Perhaps I got a dud though. gixxer

Or perhaps you didn't!

If anyone in the Hampshire/W. Sussex area wants to try before you buy - you can borrow mine.

[andy4200]

I got a Maplins one the other day, weatherproof, reverse blocking diode and all the other bs that goes with it.
here

I'm normally away at work for a few weeks at a time and my battery is always flat when I get back.
I'll give it a go and see what happens next time I'm home.

Andy

[Flintstone]

Keen to hear the results.

I think my battery will be ok for my usual six day trips but three weeks....?

Might be better off leaving it at home and asking Wilma to start it up every few days or leave it on a mains connected conditioner.

[andy4200]

If you have a mains option in the garage then use that... I don't have mains in the garage and unless I can find a 100m extension socket that the local kids won't try and nick then my only option is to try the solar one.

[andy43]

gixxer1000 said:

I bought one from this lot. Total rubbish. Drained the battery a treat! Perhaps I got a dud though.

Hmmmmm
Did you notice the weather improved when you plugged it in?
Maybe slightly more sunshine?

[Flintstone]

Right, I've ordered one.

Will let you know.