Solar battery charger question

[Mr Gear]

I've got a 2001 Audi TT on the drive that doesn't get much use. As such, I keep having to charge the battery, and when I forget to do this, it goes flat and the car gets even less use.

So I'm considering getting one of these: http://www.maplin.co.uk/solar-powered-12v-1.5w-bat...

...and charging via the 12v socket in the ashtray. The thing is, I think this socket is inactive when the ignition is off, which may mean it won't work like that. Does anyone have any experience with a similar thing?

I don't want to have to put crocodile clips on the battery every time, it would defeat the point/convenience of buying the solar charger.

[furrywoolyhatuk]

I spent a bit more and got the brief case solar charger. Forget the cigi charger iv attached my leads directly to the battery. My battery is in the boot so I run the cable through the rear fixed parcel shelf. In my off roader the battery is mounted in the engine bay. The bulkhead has little rubber grommets that you can pass cables through. It's just a matter of checking the easiest route for the cables.

[Mr Gear]

furrywoolyhatuk said:

I spent a bit more and got the brief case solar charger. Forget the cigi charger iv attached my leads directly to the battery. My battery is in the boot so I run the cable through the rear fixed parcel shelf. In my off roader the battery is mounted in the engine bay. The bulkhead has little rubber grommets that you can pass cables through. It's just a matter of checking the easiest route for the cables.

Cheers, but I'm not sure I'll be able to utilise any of the work-arounds you use.

[.Adam.]

You just need to fit something like this, then just pop your bonnet, plug in the charger and close your bonnet again with the lead coming out.

[arguti]

I found the maplin one to pretty useless and tend to use CTEK ones only as per other posts

[rigga]

Use a Maplins solar charger on my bike as its kept away from mains power, works well in as much as the battery is never flat, but its a smaller capacity compared to a car, for topping up and keeping at above 12v though its fine.
I charge my Griff via the cigarette lighter socket with a accumate charger, but its wired in a way its constantly live,if yours does not work with the ignition off then that's not an option to you, I would connect a permanent charging cable to your battery, and then just lift the bonnet and connect the charge cable when needed.