Engine charging via cigarette socket (1 Viewer)

[golly]

I am thinking of keeping the engine battery of the van topped up using a 10w solar panel while laid up for the winter. Could anyone advise if it is safe to do this via the cigarette lighter socket,(it is live with ignition off) or is it likely to cause problems with the electronics of a modern engine (Mercedes). The other alternative is obviously direct to battery terminals.

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

Hi I think Wildman uses a dash solar charger ​

 

[Reallyretired]

A 10w panel will only put out 100mA or a lot less in the winter (perhaps 500mA in direct summer sunshine), so its pretty unlikely to damage anything. It may be enough to at least delay the batteries going flat though.
Best bet really would be a proper solar panel 80-100w on the roof.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Jaws]

Before you invest, do make sure the socket is live when the ignition key is out...
If it isn't then plugging a charger in it will not do too much !

Anddddd.... Most of the small single panel type that are about £10 to £20 only produce a miserly amount of energy which MIGHT keep up with the drain the average alarm system drains

Even the larger ones only produce 3 to 5 watts on average ( and as said, that requires a fairly goodly amount of sunshine ! )

 

[golly]

This was the type of thing I was thinking of, If its no use in camper, I could use it for some 12v lighting in the shed. Link Removed

 

[Jaws]

Looks ok :thumb:

But now you should look at some sort of cheapo little regulator too..
With a charge rate of almost an amp, it would be possible to SLOWLY boil your battery !

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}