Ebay. Trickle Charger Solar Panel 1.5 Watts
- Thread starter Low Rider
- Start date
I bought one of these a few years back but did not have too much success with it, I had a feeling that it drained the battery more than charged it, they are supposed to have built in protection which stops this so maybe mine was duff?
I used the croc clips direct to the battery, one thing I never checked was the running current of the car when not in use, I suppose if the alarm etc. uses more than 1.5w then the battery will always discharge. Don't suppose anyone knows this figure do they?
It depends how good the electronics on it are. A poor design will likely drain more when its dull than it supplies when its sunny. I'm afraid usually cheap = nasty. If they were that useful surely manufacturers would fit them as standard?
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2014
- Points
- 181
- Model of Z
- Z4 coupe sport.
I know this is old hat from last year but bought myself a starter /batt booster cos although I was starting my Z quite regular I sometimes left it for nearly a month and Z batt only just managed to start it, so the booster was a good buy. After it got me out of trouble a few times I thought why not use it like a charger if pos 
so even though I went round to start the Z more regular knowing it would start on its own, I took my fully charged booster every time hooked it up and left it a few minutes to feed Z batt, 
then used it for initial start right through the winter,
this summer the batt showed good resilience to being left for periods up to 5 weeks when I was busy doing other things.
Obviously its a lot more expensive than a charger but I can take it anywhere with me and help others with start/batt probs. OK!!! people round here think I must have a duff batt but I've never had to bump start it (which has probably left them scratching their heads) just have to make sure booster is fully charged at least every 3 mths when not in use. That reminds me better charge it up.
Took the Z out yesterday when I got a couple of hrs off DIY and it didn't rain, miracles do happen
.Rha,Roy.
so even though I went round to start the Z more regular knowing it would start on its own, I took my fully charged booster every time hooked it up and left it a few minutes to feed Z batt, then used it for initial start right through the winter, this summer the batt showed good resilience to being left for periods up to 5 weeks when I was busy doing other things. Obviously its a lot more expensive than a charger but I can take it anywhere with me and help others with start/batt probs. OK!!! people round here think I must have a duff batt but I've never had to bump start it (which has probably left them scratching their heads) just have to make sure booster is fully charged at least every 3 mths when not in use. That reminds me better charge it up.Took the Z out yesterday when I got a couple of hrs off DIY and it didn't rain, miracles do happen
.Rha,Roy.
Mr Low Rider.....you're back then......good holiday ?
M
M666BMG
Guest
If your going to buy a charger for all year round, buy a CTEK.
They are excellent.
They are excellent.
Put mine to bed at the end of Sept, so its been a couple of weeks and went to give it a turn over this morning and as expected, dead as a DODO!!
So will have to pull the battery out and give it a good charge and then invest in a trickle charger. TBH not in any real hurry with Xmas fast approaching, on a positive note at least no one can steal it!!
So will have to pull the battery out and give it a good charge and then invest in a trickle charger. TBH not in any real hurry with Xmas fast approaching, on a positive note at least no one can steal it!!