solar or jump charger

[DoctorBonzo]

Has anyone had any joy with the solar trickle chargers? I bought a 1.5W one which was useless. My battery keeps running flat. Maplin have a big 13W solar panel for £60 - not sure if it will still be worth it.
Alternatively has anyone found a good jump battery pack that will start a chimaera? The £50 ones I've seen aren't powerful enough...
Suggestions for a solution most welcome

[Alexdaredevilz]

I use a little clio battery, never not started my car since I put a cut off to the battery supply

My big Tvr battery used to die every 3 days with out the switch

[DoctorBonzo]

but how do you get into the car if you isolate the battery? The doors won't open with the electrics off

[Alexdaredevilz]

I got a push button on mine, sorry cant help

Edit- fit a cut off externally car stays locked and zero battery drain

[miniman]

Your best bet is an Accumate but it sounds like you don't have mains power anywhere near the car?

I have one of these - started my Chim every time, even from a totally dead battery.



About £85 from Machine Mart. However it's quite a faff connecting it to the battery all the time - I would invest in an Andersen connector (e.g. the Leven jump start kit) so that you can plug in from outside the car.

[Timward]

I use a solar charger from Maplin, the £9.99 one. I think it's the 1.5W without looking. I keep my car in the garage with the alarm off and this plugged in. The only light that it gets in there is the light through the windows in the garage door during the day and I don't have any problems with my battery going flat.

A lot of this could be to do with the alarm not being on. I don't know how much this would drain the battery.