Solar Panel Chargers

Bought a couple of these last time they were on offer @ Maplins.
Work well if they are sited where they can use daily sunlight (eg. of no use in a dark garage) :lol: :lol:

www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?Mod ... T=12380516

Have seen others advertised at up to 3 Xs this price.

Looks like it would be easy to mount one on the outside of the garage and extend the wires. Just plug it in when parked up.

How good are they when it's cloudy? I use my exxy a lot during the summer so it stays charged anyway. A gadget like this could be useful at this time of year though when she sits in the garage most of the time.

Hi

I work for a company that designs auxilary electrical systems for fire engines, ambulances and military vehicles. The tests we have done would suggest that these things dont work very well in the UK.

In fact one we tried that had an LED to indicate it was working, drained the battery when it was cloudy due to the current drain from the LED !

Al;so remember that if you extend the cables the volt drop over a long cable run could well negate any possible benifit......

In fact one we tried that had an LED to indicate it was working, drained the battery when it was cloudy due to the current drain from the LED !



The built in blocking diode prevents reverse charging from the battery to the solar panel at night and the flashing blue LED indicates when charging is in progress.

hope this helps

I bought a Maplin one and haven't been too impressed. I've not been using the car over the winter so thought this would be an ideal buy, but it turns out that it doesn't keep the battery topped up enough.

I've ended up popping out to the garage and putting the battery on charge for one evening a week. Works MUCH better.

Probably no getting away from the fact that the best way to keep the battery charged is to drive the car

Not that mine's seen much tarmac recently. My other toy - a Renault GTA - has been keeping me busy so the poor little Exxy hasn't had much attention. :oops:

Lots planned for later in the year though..........

youve got to remember guys that this thing only puts out 1.5watts and that is probably a best case on a very sunny day.

Best thing is to get out on every sunny day you can at the weekend and enjoy the car while charging the battery

In a world without road tax, SORN's and insurance that WOULD be the best way, I agree