Solar Battery Tender
I am leaving on a trip and leaving my CTS-V at the airport for 3 weeks. I purchased a "Sunforce" brand battery tender which had an option of hooking to the battery or plugging into cigarette lighter.
Does hooking up to the cigarette lighter really to the trick? It would be a hell of alot easier as I would place the solar panel in front of the windowshade and run wore down. Thanks and Happy Holidays. :party: |
Not all cars will let the power flow through the lighter. You can get a solar powered charger that plugs into the OBD port and those work great. In fact VW uses them to keep the batteries charged when their cars are parked at the port. You can find them on ebay because they come with the car and most people don't know what to do with them.
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OBD Port?
What is an OBD port?
Originally Posted by timd38
(Post 1568194817)
Not all cars will let the power flow through the lighter. You can get a solar powered charger that plugs into the OBD port and those work great. In fact VW uses them to keep the batteries charged when their cars are parked at the port. You can find them on ebay because they come with the car and most people don't know what to do with them.
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Originally Posted by CPG1962
(Post 1568194851)
What is an OBD port?
I have one of those charger that I use for my pickup and it works great. |
Thanks - I'll drive by the dealership to ID.
Originally Posted by timd38
(Post 1568195003)
It is the port under the dash that hooks up to the computer.
I have one of those charger that I use for my pickup and it works great. |
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Thanks Much!!!!!:cheers:
Originally Posted by timd38
(Post 1568195079)
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have you tried the lighter socket when your key is out? if it's "hot"meaning it works, then you should be fine. The Corvette's does; that's where I plug my battery maintainer in at home.
If it's not hot, then you'll have to find the place that is. |
Originally Posted by AORoads
(Post 1568195643)
have you tried the lighter socket when your key is out? if it's "hot"meaning it works, then you should be fine. The Corvette's does; that's where I plug my battery maintainer in at home.
If it's not hot, then you'll have to find the place that is. |
That's interesting. Makes sense. Glad the Vette doesn't have that.
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Originally Posted by timd38
(Post 1568195895)
Some cars have a diode (or something similar) that will only let the current flow one way, but I don't have list of cars.
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Thanks Y'all
I will try all the above. I think all GM's are "hot" even with the key out. Sure would make it easier.
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Is there any possibility for a solar charger to over-charge a battery?
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Originally Posted by C5pilot
(Post 1568199482)
Is there any possibility for a solar charger to over-charge a battery?
John |
Originally Posted by JohnDS
(Post 1568200734)
The ebay item states 18.5 Volts, which is way over the top, but maybe the low 5 watts rating wouldn't be a problem. Any EE's around here?
John In an airport situation, the cell will be behind glass cutting output by 10% or so. Also assuming the car is parked so that the sun rays hit the cell exactly perpendicular at 2 pm, not much electricity will be generated before about 10 am or after 4 pm. The integrated charge over each day should be well within the capability of the battery. |
Originally Posted by LloydP
(Post 1568201219)
18.5 volts and 5W (~3.7A) sounds high but it is unlikely to be a problem. Consider that those ratings are under ideal conditions.
So 5 watts = 18.5 volts * 0.27 amps It's 0.27 Amps, Right? John |
Originally Posted by JohnDS
(Post 1568207595)
Wait, W = V * A
So 5 watts = 18.5 volts * 0.27 amps It's 0.27 Amps, Right? John |
Here's a good link to read about solar panels:
http://www.amsolar.com/solarpanels.html It's winter now and the OP is in FL meaning higher operating temps on the panel plus he's at sea level...according to the link, the 18.5V and 5W rating may be down to ~15 V and 3W. Not much chance of overcharging the battery at that rate, especially since those numbers will occur for only a few hours per day at peak sun.:cheers: |
Sunforce
This is the one I bought last week.
Up to 1.8Watts and 125mA (max) http://astore.amazon.com/sunforce.so...ail/B0006JO0KG I hope it puts out enough juice. Any EE's out there??? |
Originally Posted by JohnDS
(Post 1568207595)
Wait, W = V * A
So 5 watts = 18.5 volts * 0.27 amps It's 0.27 Amps, Right? John You know, at 270 ma under ideal conditions, I would think you would be lucky to get one Amp-Hour per day into the battery. (and I re-read this one) Thanks, Lloyd |
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