Solar Battery Conditioner..?
Discussion
Does anyone know if there is such a thing as a solar battery conditioner / trickle-charger..?
No garage, and potential purchase will be parked just far enough away from the house to make running a lead impossible - and now that I've seen where the battery in a Chimp sits..!! :-(
I vaguely recall seeing such a thing, but can't remember if it was Noddy or intended for serious use. Anyone know?
No garage, and potential purchase will be parked just far enough away from the house to make running a lead impossible - and now that I've seen where the battery in a Chimp sits..!! :-(
I vaguely recall seeing such a thing, but can't remember if it was Noddy or intended for serious use. Anyone know?
Yes they do exist and there are several on the market.
You could start by looking at www.Solar-batterycharger.co.uk.
Or simply search "solar battery charger" on something like "Jeeves"
You could start by looking at www.Solar-batterycharger.co.uk.
Or simply search "solar battery charger" on something like "Jeeves"
I have a solar charger, but its not worth it. Totally rubbish. Don't waste your money. It adds 5 mins max to the drain time.
Mine lives in the garage with no power too. My winter solution is going to be to fit a leven jump start kit and connect a 2nd battery to it whilst it is in the garage, thus doubling (in theory) the time to drain the battery flat. This 2nd battery can come in to the house every 2/3 weeks for a quick charge.
Mine lives in the garage with no power too. My winter solution is going to be to fit a leven jump start kit and connect a 2nd battery to it whilst it is in the garage, thus doubling (in theory) the time to drain the battery flat. This 2nd battery can come in to the house every 2/3 weeks for a quick charge.
A far better solution is to use the car...
With my S it always got a decent run once a week to keep the battery charged... it never failed to start.
With the Chimaera it's a daily driver, so does the mileage anyway. It go a bit slow at starting, so had a new battery fitted. Thus far, it has never failed to start...
With my S it always got a decent run once a week to keep the battery charged... it never failed to start.
With the Chimaera it's a daily driver, so does the mileage anyway. It go a bit slow at starting, so had a new battery fitted. Thus far, it has never failed to start...
Podie, I totally agree, but it is a little difficult to drive a car when you are not in the same country! Sometimes (especially in the winter) I spend just enough time away (and therefore between drives
) for it to go flat enough not to start, so need a solution.
Greg, a conventional charger/conditioner is great, indeed I have one (accumate), but have nowhere to plug it in as my garage is not next to the house and has no power anyway!
Anyone think adding a second battery on jump leads is a good idea? will it work?
) for it to go flat enough not to start, so need a solution. Greg, a conventional charger/conditioner is great, indeed I have one (accumate), but have nowhere to plug it in as my garage is not next to the house and has no power anyway!
Anyone think adding a second battery on jump leads is a good idea? will it work?
stringbag said:Ah!
Greg, a conventional charger/conditioner is great, indeed I have one (accumate), but have nowhere to plug it in as my garage is not next to the house and has no power anyway!
Sorry about that, hence the solar charger idea?!!
Well, I suppose if theres no other real alternative, you could do it. Something is better than nothing and all that.
Is it not impossible to run power into the garage? Both my dad and my girlfriends' garages are detached and both have power - g/f's garsge even has its own fusebox (bizzarely).
Greg
[quote=Podie]A far better solution is to use the car...[quote]
I intend to, as much as possible! Sadly, I have to commute to and from work by train each day - hence I want something special for the weekends.
Thanks All for the suggestions - at least I know that there are options available other than removing/charging/replacing the battery. The second, ancillary-battery idea sounds like it could work for me.
>> Edited by Angry Harvey on Friday 3rd June 12:47
I intend to, as much as possible! Sadly, I have to commute to and from work by train each day - hence I want something special for the weekends.
Thanks All for the suggestions - at least I know that there are options available other than removing/charging/replacing the battery. The second, ancillary-battery idea sounds like it could work for me.
>> Edited by Angry Harvey on Friday 3rd June 12:47
My car sits outside for long periods, so I put a walloping great 15 Watt solar cell in it. The battery stays perfect now, even with the alarm on!
The trick seems to be to use a cell that is big enough. Most of the little ones you are will only produce a marginal charge on a sunny day.
Another point is that the output of a solar cell declines with age, so you want to start off with one that is too big! Mine charges just fine even on cloudy days.
I got a Solar Pro 15 Watt cell with charge controller from Maplin (ordered over the net). It cost nearly £90 inc VAT, but has saved so much grief it was worth it. Find Maplin on:
www.maplin.co.uk
If you're not going to fork out for a big enough one, then it's best not to bother in the first place. After all, I am known for over-engineering!
The trick seems to be to use a cell that is big enough. Most of the little ones you are will only produce a marginal charge on a sunny day.
Another point is that the output of a solar cell declines with age, so you want to start off with one that is too big! Mine charges just fine even on cloudy days.
I got a Solar Pro 15 Watt cell with charge controller from Maplin (ordered over the net). It cost nearly £90 inc VAT, but has saved so much grief it was worth it. Find Maplin on:
www.maplin.co.uk
If you're not going to fork out for a big enough one, then it's best not to bother in the first place. After all, I am known for over-engineering!
Mark Adams said:
My car sits outside for long periods, so I put a walloping great 15 Watt solar cell in it. The battery stays perfect now, even with the alarm on!
The trick seems to be to use a cell that is big enough. Most of the little ones you are will only produce a marginal charge on a sunny day.
Another point is that the output of a solar cell declines with age, so you want to start off with one that is too big! Mine charges just fine even on cloudy days.
I got a Solar Pro 15 Watt cell with charge controller from Maplin (ordered over the net). It cost nearly £90 inc VAT, but has saved so much grief it was worth it. Find Maplin on:
www.maplin.co.uk
If you're not going to fork out for a big enough one, then it's best not to bother in the first place. After all, I am known for over-engineering!
Have seen this on Marks Parcel Shelf... well I think it is the parcel shelf
BB
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