Author Topic: 2.4W Solar Battery Charger  (Read 537 times)

Turbo

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2.4W Solar Battery Charger
« on: January 01, 2025, 06:15:02 PM »
Hi All,

Happy New Year to everyone.

Wondering if someone can help? I am thinking about ordering the below:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00AC1LLQY?ref=nb_sb_ss_w_as-reorder-mobile_k0_1_8&amp=&crid=3M5LZCBTNBW7T&amp=&sprefix=aa+solar

As I am going to be going away for 2 months and maybe more. Would this keep the battery going while I am away? I am looking to connect via the EOBD port as I have read that the cigarette lighter port does not work.

Or would the 4.8W be better:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AA-Essentials-AA1432-Battery-Charger/dp/B084M5ZL5L/ref=mp_s_a_1_16?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lZrtbc0ll3PmRuVsYwKCyCnwqrA2qUeUK7JPW8vn6dZGj-AY0tVPa23--nwBBzrFYqhw2po4BtXyq9z2dB3o0zJXDOvcxJ-km0-dHQmGCjIIBwWreiWRkxHNvseU9rOC7Cz7t6CnGYXtpKR_nSTf0ZODrssn509UNOZE9vecUfnWxqIPlD1SHNeuboV1EdTYL3zkyJSijTHScvvmlYmnSA.g_Wb4vol9V8V3Wf6ZMRfP5PghNw3_JDqQOQ769LqbXU&dib_tag=se&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1735755438&sr=8-16&srs=98307491031&ufe=INHOUSE_INSTALLMENTS%3AUK_IHI_3M_AUTOMATED

Apologies, if this has been asked before, but I have searched high and low without any results.

I have a Honda Jazz 2016 EX Navi CVT

Thanks in advance!
« Last Edit: January 01, 2025, 06:24:55 PM by Turbo »

ColinB

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Re: 2.4W Solar Battery Charger
« Reply #1 on: January 01, 2025, 08:07:27 PM »
I bought one of the smaller of the two during the pandemic, and have used it ever since. Plugged into the OBD socket (as you say, the 12V aux socket is not live when the car is off); a bit fiddly the first time, but you get used to it. Has it saved the battery? No idea, how does one know what might have happened had it not been used? But it doesn't do any harm.

BTW, these are sold as "battery chargers" but they're not going to charge a battery. Best you can hope for is that they offset the parasitic drain of all the systems that draw current when the car is switched off.

Turbo

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Re: 2.4W Solar Battery Charger
« Reply #2 on: January 01, 2025, 09:20:55 PM »
I bought one of the smaller of the two during the pandemic, and have used it ever since. Plugged into the OBD socket (as you say, the 12V aux socket is not live when the car is off); a bit fiddly the first time, but you get used to it. Has it saved the battery? No idea, how does one know what might have happened had it not been used? But it doesn't do any harm.

BTW, these are sold as "battery chargers" but they're not going to charge a battery. Best you can hope for is that they offset the parasitic drain of all the systems that draw current when the car is switched off.
Thanks!  Wondering, Does your stop and start work after unplugged?
« Last Edit: January 01, 2025, 09:25:00 PM by Turbo »

Turbo

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Re: 2.4W Solar Battery Charger
« Reply #3 on: January 01, 2025, 09:21:42 PM »
.
« Last Edit: January 01, 2025, 09:24:48 PM by Turbo »

ColinB

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Re: 2.4W Solar Battery Charger
« Reply #4 on: January 01, 2025, 10:05:39 PM »
Thanks!  Wondering, Does your stop and start work after unplugged?

Stop/start hasn't worked for several years. It doesn't just need a good battery, it needs a perfect (ie virtually new) battery.

Lord Voltermore

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Re: 2.4W Solar Battery Charger
« Reply #5 on: January 02, 2025, 12:51:31 PM »
I have the AA 2.4 amp version. I have only used it once on a Mk4, which has a comparatively small 12v battery,  but it only needs to power up the cars electrics  , not crank a starter motor to start the engine. 

It was connected for 2 months in January and February  .No problem starting the car on my return, but as Colin B points out, I have no way of knowing if it might have started anyway without the solar 'charger' . And I agree the best you can hope for is it will replace some, or most of ,the normal 'parasitic loss.'

I attach a copy of the instructions  which you may find interesting.   There are two more pages  which add little except that the peak power output is 2.4 watt, 12.7 volts   and optimum working current is 0.13 -0.2 amps.  (130 - 200 milliamps - I think. I am not good with small numbers  :-[ ))    I assume 'optimum' means in good sunlight.

Modern cars normally have constant parasitic drain of 50 - 85 milliamps due to alarm systems etc  running 24/7. So with long summer days and  good sunlight the  2.4 watt panel  would probably keep ahead of battery drain.   

But what of short winter  days, with less light?    I have just run an experiment. Its currently (excuse pun)  quite bright, with occasionally enough sun to cast a shadow.    Indoors the panel was giving about 2 milliamps away from the window, 5 milliamps  close to the window,.( Bright but no direct sun. ) When the sun cast a shadow  these figures increased to about 5 milliamps and 12 milliamps.   Outside ,in direct sun , it was about 20 milliamps.   (The intensity of  light made a big difference and I have no reason to doubt the panel could output up to 200 milliamps in summer sun. )

2.4 watts would probably be enough in summer, but might not manage in winter.  But If the battery is in good condition and fully charged  at the start  it might give just enough extra charge to  tip the balance in your favour.
One fear I had was that  extended unattended use  in bright summer sun could overcharge the battery.  .  The 2.4 watt version  claims this wont happen but I dont know about the 4.5 watt version. 
« Last Edit: January 02, 2025, 12:53:48 PM by Lord Voltermore »
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Turbo

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Re: 2.4W Solar Battery Charger
« Reply #6 on: January 02, 2025, 01:29:45 PM »
Thanks all. Appreciate the help guys!

His_name_is_robertpaulson

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Re: 2.4W Solar Battery Charger
« Reply #7 on: January 06, 2025, 04:27:19 PM »
These solar panels drain the battery, they usually have a charging light illuminated on the car socket...which drains the battery. Better buying a mains battery charger, once charged it will switch to float chargeing

ColinB

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Re: 2.4W Solar Battery Charger
« Reply #8 on: January 06, 2025, 05:50:26 PM »
These solar panels drain the battery, they usually have a charging light illuminated on the car socket...which drains the battery. Better buying a mains battery charger, once charged it will switch to float chargeing

Not correct. They feed charge into the battery and include protection to prevent current going the other way. Yes, a mains charger would be better, but not everyone has off-street parking to enable the car to be permanently plugged in.

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