My MR S has a current-greedy aftermarket alarm/immobiliser.
If the car isn't driven for 4-5 days; the battery is flat.
I have an isolator, but it's a pain, 'cos when I use it, I have to reset the clock and radio tuning.
So, I've gone solar. It's sitting on the folded soft-top. I'm going to hold it in place with a little sticky-back velcro (which should come unglued easily enough).
Having a hard-top with a big back window does help, but I reckon it would be fine on the parcel shelf beneath the soft-top.
A 20 Watt unit with blocking diode (to protect the unit from amps from the running car and to prevent back-discharge at night) cost a total of £23.
It's making 14 volts on an overcast day. How many amps is another story!!!
Hopefully it will be sufficient to keep up the charge.
I'll report on results in a week or two.
Good thinking Carolyn, I believe the OE alarm/ immobiliser can similarly drain the battery, maybe not so quickly, and keep my 2 now on a ( Lidl special) trickle charger most of the time it's in the garage. The solar unit wouldn't help in there but for those keeping their 2 outside as a second car it could really help.
Awesome idea! Mine goes flat after about a week and a half as I run the standard alarm plus a clifford with the duel zone proxy sensor. It's shame my rear (both hard and soft top) is blacked out.
Hmmm.... The front glass is laminated (which cuts out almost all the UV light) but the panels work off visible light so maybe put it on the dash..... this might have given me another project!
The car has barely been driven for four days now.
Whizzed right up this morning.
Result.
Carolyn, could you share the make/model of the panel. I predict a surge in sales!
I was thinking about mine which is garaged over the winter - with an extension to the cable the solar panel could sit on the garage window ledge.....
And does it come with a OBII connector for charging?
This is the one.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20W-12V-Car-Solar-Panel-Trickle-Battery-Charger-Boat-Yacht-Outdoor-Power-Supply/113306391450?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
No OBD connection. I ordered the blocking diode separately, £2.50 for five of them.
I picked it for the 20 watts. The Halfords one has an OBD connector but it's only 10 watts.