Cigar lighter live? - Page 2

75er · 20th March 2015, 23:04

Thanks for all the useful advice, as has been suggested I need to fully charge the battery up and put the multi meter on it a few times and see how it goes. Not having had the car long I don't know the history of the battery. Interesting divergence of opinion on the solar chargers, maybe its like the people that swear putting a teaspoon in the neck of a half finished bottle of sparkling wine helps keep the bubbles in when in fact it has no effect

. Still not sure whether you can only use the solar chargers in non live sockets

does anyone know the answer to this? I guess bottom line is a good battery will keep it's charge for a decent length of time, the solar chargers put current in but the jury is out on whether this has much effect. Maybe I'll get a charger (they are fairly cheap) and do some tests on battery voltage without using the car over a few weeks with and without the charger.

SD1too · 21st March 2015, 08:42

Chris,

I hope that the following helps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 75er

Still not sure whether you can only use the solar chargers in non live sockets

All chargers, solar or mains powered, have to be connected to the battery. So if your socket doesn't read battery voltage on a voltmeter, no charger will work.

Quote:

I guess bottom line is a good battery will keep it's charge for a decent length of time ..

It will if it's at a reasonable level of charge, but many aren't.

Quote:

... the solar chargers put current in but the jury is out on whether this has much effect.

Not quite Chris. A solar charger won't "put current in" unless its voltage is higher than that of the battery, and this is often the case with a device depending upon light levels. My mains powered charger in trickle mode has an output of 13.8 volts. You need a continuous charging current of around 300 mA to maintain a healthy battery in a fully charged state. If a solar charger delivers less than this, and only during daylight hours, and the battery isn't fully charged in the first place, then it's a waste of time.

Quote:

Maybe I'll get a charger (they are fairly cheap) ...

Make sure that you choose a smart charger with a maximum output suited to how infrequently you use the car. Following a recent purchase for my SD1, I can recommend CTek's range.

Simon

20th March 2015, 23:04	#11
75er Avid contributor Rover 75 Connie SE Tourer cdti Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Plymouth Posts: 165 Thanks: 29 Thanked 25 Times in 19 Posts	Thanks for all the useful advice, as has been suggested I need to fully charge the battery up and put the multi meter on it a few times and see how it goes. Not having had the car long I don't know the history of the battery. Interesting divergence of opinion on the solar chargers, maybe its like the people that swear putting a teaspoon in the neck of a half finished bottle of sparkling wine helps keep the bubbles in when in fact it has no effect . Still not sure whether you can only use the solar chargers in non live sockets does anyone know the answer to this? I guess bottom line is a good battery will keep it's charge for a decent length of time, the solar chargers put current in but the jury is out on whether this has much effect. Maybe I'll get a charger (they are fairly cheap) and do some tests on battery voltage without using the car over a few weeks with and without the charger.