Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Richard P on 20 February 2010, 12:07:27

Title: 12V socket.
Post by: Richard P on 20 February 2010, 12:07:27

I am thinking of buying a solar powered charger to keep the battery charged up whilst I go away for a month. I was thinking of plugging the charger into the 12V socket in the back of my 2001 Omega Elite.However I need to know if this socket is ignition controlled as I guess that the charger wouldn't work if it is.

Many thanks,

Richard.

Title: Re: 12V socket.
Post by: Proz on 20 February 2010, 12:12:22

Im sure i heard on here the 12v socket turns off after 15 min or so .. i dont know what that means for the solar charger though  :-/

Title: Re: 12V socket.
Post by: guncharmer on 20 February 2010, 12:15:45

A month ought to be no problem at all for a healthy battery.

Title: Re: 12V socket.
Post by: Jimbob on 20 February 2010, 14:24:39

nope, should not be live.

those chargers should come with fuse & croc clips....straight on the battery  :y  cable up the bonnet, in the door, and solar on the dash.  not perfect, but may help a bit  :y

Title: Re: 12V socket.
Post by: Ghost on 20 February 2010, 15:31:16

It is easy enough to check your socket, open the car and before you put the key in the ignition plug in a sat nav or other thing to see if there is power.

Title: Re: 12V socket.
Post by: Richard P on 20 February 2010, 16:20:31

Thanks for all the replies.
Unfortunately I cannot test the socket myself as I have no devices that I can plug in.

Richard.

Title: Re: 12V socket.
Post by: Kevin Wood on 20 February 2010, 17:27:56

Both sockets turn off either straight on the key (front) or after a timer (rear).

Kevin

Title: Re: 12V socket.
Post by: Omega3 on 20 February 2010, 17:28:51

I can confirm that the the 12v socket becomes inactive after 15mins. So the solar charger will not work after that. I've left my car at the airport for a month before with no problems. (new 65 AH battery only £46 on trade card)

Title: Re: 12V socket.
Post by: Richard P on 20 February 2010, 18:59:45

Thanks for that.

My battery is about 18 months old so I think I will take a chance on leaving the car at the airport.

Thanks again,

Richard.

Title: Re: 12V socket.
Post by: zirk on 20 February 2010, 22:36:55

Ive played about with solar panels, even the so called high amp ones dont seem to cut it, (croc cliped direct to the battery),we just dont seem to get the right sunlight in the UK, so unless there really cheap i woudn't waste your money.

As said above a good battery should last well over a month when parked up, as for long term parking at Airports, dont forget you are entitled to a free jump start or free recovery as part of your parking costs.

Chris.