I need a quick reply.................

[FRANKIE]

It's 2:31 PM here right now. I'm setting up a solar panel to trickle charge my Z which is dead right now. I can attach it directly to the battery terminals or I can use a cigarette lighter plug which is provided. I prefer to use the cigarette plug but I don't know if the cigarette lighter is always hot regardless of whether the key is turned on. My car is a 2000 3.2L Z. I need someone to respond back right now with the same car to let me know if it's always hot. Naturally, if it's not I could plug it in from here to eternity and it would never recharge the battery...................Thanks..................Frankie

 

[NZ00Z3]

Lighter is "Hot all the time", so you can charge through it.

 

[AleNod]

If you're concerned, do you have anything to plug into the socket that has a power indicator ? Phone charger, USB charger, anything like that ? Test it with ignition on / ignition off to check . . . ?

 

[t-tony]

Frankie problem, I think, is that battery is dead unless he’s charged it since we talked a couple of days ago. I think the Cig. lighter socket on my Z3 was live all the time but couldn’t be sure.

Tony.

 

[BuxtonZ3Guy]

My Z3 facelift has a permanently hot cigarette lighter.

 

[Ianmc]

Hot all the time in case you need to light a fag without the keys in ignition; BMW are thoughtful like that.

 

[petecossie]

My Z3 MC cigarette lighter socket is hot all the time.

 

[GZed]

My Z3 MC cigarette lighter socket is hot all the time.

Time you quit smoking then

 

[petecossie]

Time you quit smoking then

Never smoked in my life.

 

[motco]

My 2002 2.2i Sport is live at all times through the cigarette lighter.

 

[Nodzed]

Charge directly to the battery

 

[FRANKIE]

If you're concerned, do you have anything to plug into the socket that has a power indicator ? Phone charger, USB charger, anything like that ? Test it with ignition on / ignition off to check . . . ?

The battery was dead. Couldn't tell..........Frankie

 

[FRANKIE]

Never smoked in my life.

Me either..................Frankie

 

[FRANKIE]

Charge directly to the battery

I ended up doing just that. After 2 days....still dead....nothing....zippo...............Frankie
To be fair, it's been mostly cloudy and tomorrow it will rain. I'll let it go for a few sunny days and see what happens. I think that if the battery was SO dead, I should have charged it first, then put on the trickle charge....................Frankie

 

[t-tony]

That’s what I suggested the other night mate. The Solar should keep it “topped up” once it has been charged, unless the battery is toast.

Tony.

 

[Ian&Sue]

Hi Frankie, we have one of those solar conditioner/chargers though with a slightly smaller solar panel than yours & to be honest it's about as much use as a chocolate fireguard. It would never manage to charge the battery from dead & doesn't even keep it topped up. I think to make any real difference they probably need quite a large solar panel.

Ian.

 

[Delk]

Mine was live all the time but I wired in a small relay so it shut off with the ignition. I didn't want the items I have plugged in draining the battery when the car was turned off.

 

[JimS]

I don't think you can charge a dead battery from a solar panel. It needs a kick up the proverbial first with a mains charger or jump starter.
To be honest, modern batteries that have gone completely dead usually need replacing, even if you do manage to get a start or two out of it after a charge. It won't be long before it lets you down again. That's what the AA man told me anyway. I would just bite the bullet and replace it.

 

[FRANKIE]

Hi Frankie, we have one of those solar conditioner/chargers though with a slightly smaller solar panel than yours & to be honest it's about as much use as a chocolate fireguard. It would never manage to charge the battery from dead & doesn't even keep it topped up. I think to make any real difference they probably need quite a large solar panel.

Ian.

I seem to be headed to that same conclusion. However, to be fair, I should give it a chance since the days have been mostly cloudy. I'll keep everyone informed...................Frankie

 

[Ian&Sue]

I seem to be headed to that same conclusion. However, to be fair, I should give it a chance since the days have been mostly cloudy. I'll keep everyone informed...................Frankie

Not sure how much sun you get in New Jersey but could easily be more than we get in Yorkshire so that should help & the one that you've got is a little bit bigger than ours so you may have better luck than us, hope so.

Ian.