Has anyone used or got one of these , Due to not using the Motorhome for long periods of time the battery has drained , So i was thinking of getting one of these .

http://www.powerbee.co.uk/Solar-Panel-Kits...4wod9TsOGg

Any info on them appreciated .......

Not used them myself MICK - but a friend has similar solar chargers wired up to both of his Ferrari's - linked from Cigar lighter to window in garage - he rates them

Yes Mick, not the same model but a Sunsei one purchased from Powerbee. Fantastic unit with a long guarantee. Ideal for top up / trickle charging a battery as prevention against normal battery drain by alarms etc.

Do not rely on them to charge a battery from flat though it will take weeks! their purpose is to top up and maintain and ensure the battery is fully charged after a period of inactivity.

Cheers delamo & Vogue,

Reason for getting it , once i get the battery charged back up i was just going to attach the solar trickle charge to it and leave it , as now with it coming into the winter months the MH won't be getting used until next year ............

My father has given me their one from their MH after he read about the problems 2010MY FFRR's had with self-draining batteries, I've yet to use it and suspect that as my car is in the shade most of the day during winter time I don't hold out much chance of it doing much. My father reckons they are very good, and certainly their MH never had battery charge problems after a winter 2018 Mini Countryman Cooper S E All4 PHEV in Melting Silver - it’s whisper quiet in EV and polluter modes

Tim

I have one for the ride on mower its great !!

A slight tangent but:

VW do a solar sunroof option which runs the fan to vent the interior on hot days. This may be a daft question, but is sunroof glass a standard size? It always looks standard, but what are the thoughts on this?

The sunroof is a price piece of solar real estate...

 

Quite a lot of sunroofs are a standard size in terms of the glass. Most auto manufacturers use their own mechanisms though.

You're right though, the sunroof is ripe to make into a solar panel, especially with the hybrids now on the market.

As for the original question, yes they do work as long as the battery is in good condition when you start. But if you have access to a mains socket by the MH then a C-Tek or Optimate is a lot better as it doesn't need sunshine. A rather scarce resource over winter in the UK

You could just stick the solar panel (linked) to the sunroof using the suction cups? I think I will have to invest in one to keep the battery topped up in mine, I simply don't use the car enough, last 3 times I've went to drive it in the last 3 weeks, (moves once a week ) There's been just enough charge in the battery to start the car, but only just! Then when it does start, I get HDC inactive, Transmission failsafe mode etc, all linked to lack of power from the battery. It's fine when it's topped up though. 2006 Mercedes CLS
1991 Retro-style Mini
But really finding it hard to fight the urge for a S/C...

Now summer is looming - I think it's time to re-visit this idea.

I'm going to find an A8 to measure its sunroof hole. They can be picked up for about £150 and seem to produce a decent wattage. 

Maplin are doing a £9.99 offer on the dash mounted panels at the moment - clearance of old stock. Have posted a link to the online shop in the For Sale section. Mine has worked well all winter in the FFRR but I cannot get it to work in the Defender, I suspect the ciggy lighter socket has a different fitting inside so the plug isn't making contact in the right places 2018 Mini Countryman Cooper S E All4 PHEV in Melting Silver - it’s whisper quiet in EV and polluter modes

Tim in Scotland wrote:

I cannot get it to work in the Defender, I suspect the ciggy lighter socket has a different fitting inside so the plug isn't making contact in the right places

If the lighter goes off with the ign then it wont work? 

Right I'll have to put on my snowshoes and venture out into the blizzard that is descending on us here to find out!

10 minutes later............. you are correct, no ignition, no lighter in the 90. 2018 Mini Countryman Cooper S E All4 PHEV in Melting Silver - it’s whisper quiet in EV and polluter modes