Tyson Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Soon the Supra will be the second car so I have been looking at how to keep the battery charged and have found solar chargers. I like the fact in can be kept plugged into the cig lighter and the car can be kept locked. Plus it costs nothing to run !! Has anyone got one? How good are they and which one should I get? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraAyf Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 We used similar units at work a few months back and they seemed to do the job they were intended for - I think the secret of success was related to the intensity of the light which was being received by the unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 If you look at other charger threads a lot of people don't rate them. Whether the original battery was FUBAR is another question. I have just got a CTEK 3600 and it's great, the only problem is plugging it in and getting the charger close enough to the car. If you have a garage then it will be a doddle. My car is under a cover ourside and you only get a 1m of cable either side of the unit. H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 I agree with what H said. A couple of years ago I was thinking about getting a solar charger, but no-one at the time had anything good to say about them. michael on here has tried a couple with not much success IIRC. If you do decide to get one anyway, my advice would be to get one with the highest wattage rating you can. SupraAyf, interesting that you had some success with them. Can you remember the make/model? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ark Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 The cigaratte lighter is on a switched live connection, so it's no use plugging a solar panel in when the ignition is off. You need to attach the panel directly to the battery, but don't run the cable through the door seals, because you'll get leaks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy442 Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Save the hassle, just disconnect the battery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyson Posted January 5, 2011 Author Share Posted January 5, 2011 The cigaratte lighter is on a switched live connection, so it's no use plugging a solar panel in when the ignition is off. You need to attach the panel directly to the battery, but don't run the cable through the door seals, because you'll get leaks. That's crappy with my ZR you could use the ciggy lighter when ever the ignition didn't have to be on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyson Posted January 5, 2011 Author Share Posted January 5, 2011 Save the hassle, just disconnect the battery Don't think my insurance company would be too happy about that, but would that definitely keep the battery charged? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Sell the car....problem solved..!! H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopgunTT Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Sell the car....problem solved..!! H. Thats what i have had to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Thats what i have had to do. Took you a year though. A new battery would have gone flat in that time..!! H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopgunTT Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 I had a solar charger and found it no good, Went and got a heavy duty red top battery in the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Don't think my insurance company would be too happy about that, but would that definitely keep the battery charged? It'll keep it charged for longer by eliminating any current draw, but not for ever (a couple of months at a guess?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyson Posted January 6, 2011 Author Share Posted January 6, 2011 screw it I am just going to disconnect the battery !! Problem solved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobSheffield Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 screw it I am just going to disconnect the battery !! Problem solved Wont that knock your alarm out, and therefore your insurance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyson Posted January 6, 2011 Author Share Posted January 6, 2011 Alarms have back ups in case someone tries to nick your car and disconnects the battery. Otherwise having an alarm would be pointless as you would just smash the window pop the hood and disconnect the battery and away you go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 I'm pretty sure RobSheffield's right. If they do have a backup, I think it only lasts a very short time (we're talking seconds). You wouldn't be able to steal it as you describe because it would still be immobilised assuming you have a Cat1 alarm fitted. Without the battery connected, the car has no defence against a stereo smash-and-grab. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobSheffield Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 Alarms have back ups in case someone tries to nick your car and disconnects the battery. Otherwise having an alarm would be pointless as you would just smash the window pop the hood and disconnect the battery and away you go. Most have a backup to continue the alarm once its activated, but once you remove power it wont activate...or do anything. If its insured and if the alarm is listed in the paperwork then removing the battery will likely result in no payout if its stolen and if the insco find out the battery was off/alarm was out. Nothing to do with me, just saying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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