Member Since: 18 May 2012
Location: Somerset
Posts: 166
Solar panel charging
Hi all
I want to keep the disco battery topped up as I don’t use her as much now I’m ‘retired’ I have a small solar panel that has a 12v plug on it, can I use this to connect it or does the whole car go dead once it’s sleeping and won’t let the charge reach the battery?
I’m thinking about the plug in the rear of the car might be the best one to use, if this is a no go then is there another way of connecting it up?
Did experiment with a 12 V panel myself many years ago but concluded it wasn't worth it. Panel doesn't really deliver enough power in our climate to make a difference.
8th Dec 2019 8:45 am
Morepower
Member Since: 18 May 2012
Location: Somerset
Posts: 166
Ok can I connect straight to the battery and run the lead into the car, just plug in when I need to leave the car for a while?
NJSSAm I Gammon or Woke ? - I neither know nor care.
2016 Discovery 4 Landmark
2011 Mercedes Benz SL350 (R230)
1973 MG B GT V8 - 3.9L John Eales engine, 5 speed R380 gearbox, since 1975.
1959 MGA roadster - 1.9L Peter Burgess Engine - 5 speed gearbox
Past LRs - Multiple FFRs, Discos & a Series I - some petrol, some diesel,
none Electric or H2 fuel cell - yet.
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8th Dec 2019 12:56 pm
Morepower
Member Since: 18 May 2012
Location: Somerset
Posts: 166
Can’t as theRe is no electricity near where I park the car😱
8th Dec 2019 1:01 pm
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
I used a solar panel on a boat we had for about 7 years, seemed to keep the house battery in good enough nick when we left it for months at a time.
Quite a few people on boats seem to have solar panels, but the slightly larger ones 2x3 foot jobbies.
No solar on our current boat and again sometimes left for months at a time.
Mate at work had an old ford that always flattened its battery if left for more than a few days in a row, small cheapo panel on the dash and it never happened again.
8th Dec 2019 1:57 pm
Hot Tub
Member Since: 15 Aug 2017
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 1071
If you can face the front of the car south a reasonable solar panel would fit behind the windscreen. I have a 50w panel which goes in the front middle window of tin tent got a decent MPPT controller works well Welsh Collie Chauffeur Service To Barney & Rooney.
8th Dec 2019 2:59 pm
dgarside
Member Since: 17 Jan 2010
Location: Holmfirth
Posts: 732
Something like this might be what you are after.
AA 5060114614185 Solar-Powered Car Battery Charger, Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00AC1LLQY/ref...7DbY6YZS5YRLD CB Bracket
RLD Spare Wheel Protector
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ProSpeed Compressor Cover
TPMS Retrofit
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NJSSAm I Gammon or Woke ? - I neither know nor care.
2016 Discovery 4 Landmark
2011 Mercedes Benz SL350 (R230)
1973 MG B GT V8 - 3.9L John Eales engine, 5 speed R380 gearbox, since 1975.
1959 MGA roadster - 1.9L Peter Burgess Engine - 5 speed gearbox
Past LRs - Multiple FFRs, Discos & a Series I - some petrol, some diesel,
none Electric or H2 fuel cell - yet.
There are 10 types of people in this world: Those who understand binary, and those who don’t.
8th Dec 2019 10:25 pm
T2BTK
Member Since: 27 Aug 2014
Location: Emigrated (again)
Posts: 182
Member Since: 18 May 2012
Location: Somerset
Posts: 166
Does this work ok connected through the OBD port?
9th Dec 2019 8:04 am
Hot Tub
Member Since: 15 Aug 2017
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 1071
I would be very careful not sure if you can but might fry ECU if get the wrong connections Better to wire in directly so you have charger plug & socket possibly inside glove box to keep it nice and neat
Sorry I see you was referring to the Amazon link Welsh Collie Chauffeur Service To Barney & Rooney.
9th Dec 2019 8:10 am
Morepower
Member Since: 18 May 2012
Location: Somerset
Posts: 166
If it only plugs in Then I can’t see how it could go wrong? I’m going to give one a try anyway.
Thanks for all you thoughts guys👍🏻
9th Dec 2019 8:21 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72774
Or bridge the relay socket for the ciggie lighter socket so it plugs in there, then straight through to the battery. Can be unplugged when not needed, straight to the crank battery when plugged in. Simples.
9th Dec 2019 8:23 am
flydive
Member Since: 21 Aug 2007
Location: Lugano
Posts: 1533
Or you could plug it in at the trailer wiring.
Even if you do not have the tow bar some of the wiring should be there.
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Better to wire in directly so you have charger plug & socket possibly inside glove box to keep it nice and neat 
