Solar panel battery charging

wombataaron · Post by **wombataaron** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 11:53 am

Hi all just bought a very small projecta solar panel from a garage sale on facebook, it has a ciggy plug on it, it didn't come with instructions just wondering would it charge my battery plugged into the ciggy plug with the car off? Or would the key need to be on acc? I pick it up this arvo, alligator clips might be needed..i use my radio in car when camping and thought a little solar panel could help with keepin the battery topped up.
here it is:

http://ecopia.com.au/portable-solar-pan ... d_263.html

Judging by the description on that page im gonna have to make one of my ciggy plugs constant, any ideas on the easiest way around this? I would prefer to use the plug in the luggage area if possible...

Brad_Stacey · Post by **Brad_Stacey** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 12:49 pm

Hi,

You will need the acc on, but if your using the radio this will be on anyway.
But you probably wont it to charge while not using radio as well.
So you will need a direct connection with radio. Either hard wire you existing rear socket including a fuse. This option wont be as efficient.

Or cut the cigi plug off and hard wire to battery, running the lead to the dash or just onto your bonnet. You can still use the duel plug to disconnect if you wish.

Keep in mind these are designed mainly to keep a battery alive during extended periods of no use, but keeping the wires as short as possible will reduce voltage drop.

Cheers Brad.

wombataaron · Post by **wombataaron** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 12:52 pm

Think i found a way around it, this little trick for making your ciggie sockets contstant looks very easy:D

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.p ... 8169.html?

fredsub · Post by **fredsub** » Sun Mar 04, 2012 8:55 am

I find with the OBW, if you draw about 1amp is is already quite a significant
voltage drop at the ciggie socket, so the wiring is not that great really.
I did a rewire of suitable heavy gauge direct from the battery, via a fuse + a lo voltage cutout relay to merit socket/plugs - a much more satisfactory. arrangement. The cutout relay is selectable to trigger from ACCessories wiring or a direct 12V (which allows it on with the key removed)

alang · Post by **alang** » Sun Mar 04, 2012 8:48 pm

Last time i sailed into Eden down the south coast of NSW i noticed some of the cars had them on the dash. When out fishing on the trawlers it keeps the battery alive until they come back into port. i looked in the window of one car it was in the cig lighter socket so must of had it connected to the battery. I think they have a diode in them to stop power running back from the battery to the panel at night time when their is no power being produced