Solar Battery Charger
Discussion
Yes, usually during the day when the sun is out 
Sorry couldn't resist!
I've seen a few on Amazon that could be interesting? My TVR is in a garage without power and I'm thinking of hooking one up to keep the battery fresh?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000R0UBT8/ref=asc_df_B...
Any experiences?
TVR Jim
Sorry couldn't resist!
I've seen a few on Amazon that could be interesting? My TVR is in a garage without power and I'm thinking of hooking one up to keep the battery fresh?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000R0UBT8/ref=asc_df_B...
Any experiences?
TVR Jim
Without delving into the maths in detail, those "dash-top" variety are "specced" at 4 to 6 Watts.
That would be max 250/300 milli amps at 16/18v which most solar cells provide. They only provide that with the sun overhead. In UK at least 50' north you are not going to get 250M/A and when it was giving an output (100M/A?) it would be for 3 to 5 hrs this time of the year and max 8hrs or so in Summer (when you're driving the TiV!!). Your TiV batteries are 60/80 Amps per hour - so 250 Milli-Amps isn't going to do much in reality (4-hrs 1 amp/hour??)!!
What you could consider is something rated at 25/30 watts (@12v would be 1.5 Amps in Summer), but then it's getting expensive and would need to be on a roof somewhere, not behind a window!!
All in my very humble opinion!!
That would be max 250/300 milli amps at 16/18v which most solar cells provide. They only provide that with the sun overhead. In UK at least 50' north you are not going to get 250M/A and when it was giving an output (100M/A?) it would be for 3 to 5 hrs this time of the year and max 8hrs or so in Summer (when you're driving the TiV!!). Your TiV batteries are 60/80 Amps per hour - so 250 Milli-Amps isn't going to do much in reality (4-hrs 1 amp/hour??)!!
What you could consider is something rated at 25/30 watts (@12v would be 1.5 Amps in Summer), but then it's getting expensive and would need to be on a roof somewhere, not behind a window!!
All in my very humble opinion!!
Mrs FFG has one of these which was used by her father for the caravan. She uses it in the Mondeo when we go away and the car starts fine but not sure if it would have anyway without it, but maybe its better than I give it credit for. SHe leaves it under the sunroof on the sliding panel so its well hidden from view and in the best possible place.
FFG
FFG
Ive noticed that our cars always have a small battery drain, say 0.2 amps/hour, the solar charges which I have seen for under 100 quid are usually rated around 0.1 amps/hour so would not really work as a top up/maintenance charger, just delay the inevitable. Better to run a really really long extension lead.
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