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[omeganick]

Cdx 2.5 '98. I don't use it much and there is a small drain. I've bought a solar panel (1.8watt) to keep battery healthy. Will power go to battery though 12v plug even without keys in or do I have to connect to battery?

[Andy B]

Cdx 2.5 '98. I don't use it much and there is a small drain. I've bought a solar panel (1.8watt) to keep battery healthy. Will power go to battery though 12v plug even without keys in or do I have to connect to battery?

12v ciggy lighter is only live with the ignition on. You'd have to modify its wiring or connect your solar panel directly to the battery. 

[aaronjb]

And don't start the car with it connected!

I forgot I had one on the Nissan and started it, the (supplied) wiring caught fire and melted a hole in the battery.. I have a proper battery conditioner, now (which, obviously, I don't leave connected when starting the car)..

[TheBoy]

Cdx 2.5 '98. I don't use it much and there is a small drain. I've bought a solar panel (1.8watt) to keep battery healthy. Will power go to battery though 12v plug even without keys in or do I have to connect to battery?

Much better off, if you have access to electric, to use a proper conditioner.

[omeganick]

Thanks for the info Andy b and the warning Aaronjb.
As i leave the car on the street how easy would it be to modify wiring?

[TheBoy]

Should be fairly easy. Possibly just have it plugged in the diags port, so you cant get in without the thing removed

Diag port always live, but you *MUST* have an inline fuse between the solar panel and anything else.

Also, I doubt the silly solar panel will keep the battery in good condition, but you are lacking options...

[Bionic]

 
TheBoy is right on the mark as usual. Use a proper battery conditioner or battery charger with a low output to trickle charge it once a week or so.
I put a small 2 pin connector plug onto a metre of twin cable and connected it to the battery permanently through a fuse in each wire. It is left coiled up out of the way under the battery cover and all I do is to connect it to the modified cable from my trickle charger when required. No messing with croc clips that can jump off!
 

[aaronjb]

TheBoy is right on the mark as usual. Use a proper battery conditioner or battery charger with a low output to trickle charge it once a week or so.

But how will the OP stop passers by from tripping over the giant extension cord he's trailed from his house to his car down the street?

[Auto Addict]

TheBoy is right on the mark as usual. Use a proper battery conditioner or battery charger with a low output to trickle charge it once a week or so.

But how will the OP stop passers by from tripping over the giant extension cord he's trailed from his house to his car down the street?

Simple, he just stands outside, whilst it's charging and says 'Mind the wire'

[Nick W]

C-tek smartchargers come with a hardwire kit that plugs into the charger's cable.
Excellent bit of kit.

[omeganick]

Thanks for all the comments. Solar panel connected and I hope will counter the small drain so at least stop battery going flat over days of not driving.

[GastronomicKleptomaniac]

I put a small 2 pin connector plug onto a metre of twin cable and connected it to the battery permanently through a fuse in each wire. It is left coiled up out of the way under the battery cover and all I do is to connect it to the modified cable from my trickle charger when required. No messing with croc clips that can jump off!
 

I read the first half of that, thinking you'd literally got a plug, some flex, and connected the battery to the mains. I may have had a long day...

C-tek smartchargers come with a hardwire kit that plugs into the charger's cable.
Excellent bit of kit.

C-tek are always highly recommended