Solar charger

[Shackeng]

As I only use my 3.2 Elite about once a week, and sometimes less, I would like to fit a solar charger. Where is the best place to connect an extra cigarette lighter plug? I have in mind to have it in the glove box

[Andy B]

.....
I have in mind to have it in the glove box

Can't see why not as long as you have room behind ........

[Shackeng]

Any good suggestions for the electrical connection? Or should I put it straight on the battery?

[Andy B]

Any good suggestions for the electrical connection? Or should I put it straight on the battery?

I'm sure that there are cleverer sparks than me here that will be able to advise, but I'd have though that you could find a suitable permanent 12 volt connection behind the fuse box somewhere ....... 

[Shackeng]

Cheers Andy, yes I'm sure I could, but wiggly amps are not my forté, and I am always willing to be guided by more qualified leccy's.

[Andy B]

..... but wiggly amps .....

It's been a while since I heard that phrase ..... 

[freecall666]

i connected mine to the radio perment live feed, and wired around the glove box to window hiding the wires. works fine aswell when dont drive the mig for a long time as have other cars to drive.

[TheBoy]

Save you money, and put it towards a decent battery conditioner....

[Andy B]

Save you money, and put it towards a decent battery conditioner....

You're assuming that Shakeng is able to park within easy reach of a plug socket 
I've a few battery conditioners (one is 'decent'  ) but a solar charger wouldn't be bad idea on my car due to its limited use. (& I can park on my drive within reach of mains electrickery)

[TheBoy]

Save you money, and put it towards a decent battery conditioner....

You're assuming that Shakeng is able to park within easy reach of a plug socket 
I've a few battery conditioners (one is 'decent'  ) but a solar charger wouldn't be bad idea on my car due to its limited use. (& I can park on my drive within reach of mains electrickery)

I think you'll find it disappointing TBH.

If you are not near a mains socket, save you money and put it towards a decent conditioner *AND* spare battery

[Andy B]

I think you'll find it disappointing TBH.
....

They seem to improved a lot recently, although I wouldn't be surprised if the cheap charger from Maplins etc isn't quite up to the mark. A few hundred quid will buy you solar chargers that will keep your caravan battery charged while in the field. 

[Shackeng]

Thanks guys, I think they are handy if you have to park up for a while, at airports for example, so I'll put it in and see how it goes.

[Dave DND]

The size of the solar panel will give a rough indication of how well it will work. Just for comparison, I have a large panel about 24"x12" on my garage roof to keep my bike charged when not in use, and this struggles at times - if you are using one of those solar panels that will fit in your glovebox, then I hope the lead is long enough to reach the sun, as thats the only way you are going to get anywhere near enough out of it to keep a car battery alive.

The concept and idea is sound, its just that everybody goes for these tiny panels and expects miracles. Maplins have some nice , large panels for touring - look at something like this for your needs.

[Andy B]

highlight]and this struggles at times [/highlight] -  .....

Blimey! I'm surprised!  Especially in the English Riviera 

[Dave DND]

highlight]and this struggles at times [/highlight] -  .....

Blimey! I'm surprised!  Especially in the English Riviera 

Just goes to show how poor they are !!

But I think you hit the nail on the head with the recommendation of the caravan chargers as they are usually around 24" x 24" (my bike one was half this) and should work fairly well - even up north !!