Solar Panel

N

nooky

Member
 Wickford, Essex
I am using a Halfords 2.4w Solar Panel to try and maintain the battery on my £89. I only use the car once in 7 - 10 and I usually have to jump start it. The battery has been tested twice and found to be OK. Does anybody use the Halfords 6w Solar Panel and does it work for them or can anybody suggest one that does. I keep the Zed on my drive and do not want to drill a hole through the wall to put a waterproof socket on the outside.
 
Plus, if you're draining your battery in 7-10 days, from a full charge, then you've got a drain on the system somewhere.

My Z4M (sat outside in all weathers) could go 6 weeks between uses and would still start up immediately. Although all my trips in it were over 50 miles if I did use it, as that would put enough charge back into the battery.
 
nooky said:
I am using a Halfords 2.4w Solar Panel to try and maintain the battery on my £89. I only use the car once in 7 - 10 and I usually have to jump start it. The battery has been tested twice and found to be OK. Does anybody use the Halfords 6w Solar Panel and does it work for them or can anybody suggest one that does. I keep the Zed on my drive and do not want to drill a hole through the wall to put a waterproof socket on the outside.
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Where are you connecting the charger? Did you know the lighter socket turns off with the ignition? :?
Rob
 
Smartbear said:
It’s been posted in the wrong section but the post is about an e89 - they do
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Ah, that makes sense. :thumbsup:

OP, I agree with the above. There is some parasitic drain occuring if your battery drains so fast.
Once they have gone flat once or twice they tend to be damaged permanently. :(
 
nooky said:
I think the battery is original, 09, I will check
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Sounds like a combination of lack of use and an old battery that not holding a charge :oldman:
 
I think you may have to.

My 2nd Coupe needed a new one at 10 years old so it's done pretty well!

My Z4s have frequently been unused for 2 or 3 weeks and always start OK. Hopefully yours will hold charge with a new battery fitted. :thumbsup:
 
It’s worth getting a battery indicator, e.g.ctek around £10, which is connected to your battery but can be routed somewhere visible. It has traffic lights, green for OK, yellow put it on charge, red flat. I put mine on a trickle charge when it goes yellow.
 
davidmudley12 said:
Zedebee which one do you have please?
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It’s this one. Connects directly to your battery terminals.

https://www.hardwarexpress.co.uk/ctek-battery-indicator-4237-p.asp?dfw_tracker=32547-hardwarexpress4237&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuMKXvciU7QIVDNTtCh1mCg96EAQYAiABEgIWN_D_BwE

I think I got it from Tayna batteries but their website is down at the moment.
 
nooky said:
I am using a Halfords 2.4w Solar Panel to try and maintain the battery on my £89. I only use the car once in 7 - 10 and I usually have to jump start it. The battery has been tested twice and found to be OK. Does anybody use the Halfords 6w Solar Panel and does it work for them or can anybody suggest one that does. I keep the Zed on my drive and do not want to drill a hole through the wall to put a waterproof socket on the outside.
Click to expand...

When you get your battery problem sorted I have got the AA charger that you can plug into the OBD socket and it seems to work well . It charges even in low light levels due to the type of cells it uses but you have to make sure the battery is fully charged first though .

Ebay link https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AA-12V-Solar-Powered-Panel-Car-Caravan-Battery-EOBD-Trickle-Charger-Maintainer-/233409015194
 
You definitely have a drain/fault - my ultra cheapo ALDI solar charger for the last two winters has kept my battery topped up for periods over 4 months as I don’t have a mains connection - not perfect but should work.

I have hardwired + directly to battery, - to bodywork for the best connection, BI-wired for both solar & ctek when out of storage.

Another option where garaged is to simply disconnect the battery (yes you loose window & radio settings) & leave on the boot latch
 
So monthly what is the savings after you went solar? Let's say you use the same kw ---- how many dollars do you save on average or estimate on a bill?
 
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