Solar battery chargers - anybody used one?

[TonyRPH]

My car is going to be standing for possibly 2 weeks (or more) at a time in between uses - possibly for the next 2 - 6 months.

Therefore, it seems wise to keep the battery topped up.

So I thought of buying a solar battery charger - one that you lay on the dashboard and plug into the lighter socket.

Has anybody out there used one? Are they any good? Do you have any recommendations?

BTW, this is for my 535i - so quite a large battery.

Thanks.

[Flintstone]

Lots of people with TVRs use them. I bought one for my first Chimaera because I'd been told "It WILL break down" Used it for a couple of months before I began forgetting to plug it in. Never broke down.

Doesn't help really, does it?

[jodypress]

I had the £14 one from Maplins for exactly the same reason as you. Used it a few times. Came back after 3 weeks to a flat battery. It didn't seem to top up the battery, which over time the alarm drains. Much easier for me to disconnect the battery.

I wouldn't recommend them.

[TonyRPH]

jodypress said:

I had the £14 one from Maplins for exactly the same reason as you. Used it a few times. Came back after 3 weeks to a flat battery. It didn't seem to top up the battery, which over time the alarm drains. Much easier for me to disconnect the battery.

I wouldn't recommend them.

I did wonder, because looking at the specifications for a couple of them, they seem to deliver about the same (or perhaps slightly less) current than the alarm draws.

[Zad]

To be honest, it should survive 2 weeks without any assistance anyway. It depends on how much power your alarm takes, and if the solar panel is in full sunlight. I just had my old Sierra laid up for more than 2 months and it started first pull. I had taken the precaution of removing the alarm fuse (it takes 50mA) and disabling the engine though.

Don't get the 1.5W panel, that just isn't enough, get the 2.4W one at least. I get the impression that these power figures are measured in Arizona or somewhere, you probably won't get anywhere near it. If you plug it into the cigar lighter socket, make sure it is a good connection as the spring in the centre terminal can tend to push the connector out over time and lead to no charging.