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Solar charger

Posted by geoff the bonnie <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=geoff+the+bonnie' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 2, 2025, 2:48 pm

I just made one up for my holiday parking. I found a panel in the garage that will work even in dull light behind darkened privacy glass so it can sit on the parcel shelf. 1 amp fuse at the battery connection end just in case. The car will be drawing power 24 hours a day and i should get 8 hours recharge so it should keep up. If not, the man in the car park has the job again.

Re: Solar charger

Posted by laverdabru <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=laverdabru' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 2, 2025, 4:02 pm, in reply to "Solar charger"

I'm a fan of solar trickle chargers, have 3 of the Oxford ones that fit into their bike covers. Even left for months, the Ninjas & Bird fire up pretty quickly.

Re: Solar charger

The larger solar chargers need a charge controller. In the garage i have a large panel for outside lighting and it charges 2 batteries. I think i will put one in the car as i am using a 10 watt panel. The small trickle charge panels are often half a watt as a float charger so it will not do any harm left for months

Re: Solar charger

Posted by the old one <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=the+old+one' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 2, 2025, 10:19 pm, in reply to "Re: Solar charger"

Re: Solar charger

Posted by Greeves Rider <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Greeves+Rider' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 2, 2025, 10:28 pm, in reply to "Re: Solar charger"

This one will do the job https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126481761529

Re: Solar charger

I have used those 1.5 watt panels in the garage but now using larger output panels as the charger would not keep up with the number of lights i was using. The 1.5 watt is ideal for safe trickle charging.
I have prepared one of those for the holiday and a bigger one for which i have now added a charge controller which will be in the car. I expect i am going to use the larger panel.
The problem here is you cannot really test this out except by leaving the car for a month.
What i will be doing is remove the boot floor so i have access to the battery if it dies then a set of jump leads into the rear passenger area so i can use my Noco lithium ion engine starter.
If it all goes to pot, i have to wait for RAC or the car park operator van.
Its a shame these car makers cannot improve things so this is unnecessary. Not too hard to build a solar panel into the rear window or the glass roof but they just want to keep cost low at the build.
It is hard to understand why EV makers have not fitted a solar panel roof which would add a fair bit of charge when parked up at a workplace

Re: Solar charger

in the USA bobcat (and others) fit solar panels in the roof panel's of there small vehicles

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