12 volt battery easy access recharge plug mod

Flying White Dutchman · 02-14-2008, 12:48 PM

I made a mod to my prius to easily recharge my 12 volt battery

pics included

and connected to a small solar panel

**efusco** · 02-14-2008, 12:54 PM

I did something similar when I got my solar panel/charger (which I never once needed to use and ultimately removed)...I just used the alligator clips though..they stayed on for 3 years without coming off.

Once thing, if you haven't already done so, you might want to see if you're getting much if any juice from your solar panel. I've read that the UV blocking, esp. if the window is tinted, can dramatically reduce the functionality of the solar panel. If you really need it to charge the battery you might want to run the wire outside the car and just set the panel on the roof.

markderail · 02-14-2008, 12:58 PM

I like the use of the microphone (marine radio?) male-female adapter.

I'd say cost to do probably below 50$. Saw similar panels on sale at 30$.

Does it affect rear-viewing visibility, or do you take it down before driving?

A cool mod would be a sunroof, where the glass of the sunroof was actually a retractable solar panel.

Good job!

_

Flying White Dutchman · 02-14-2008, 12:59 PM

i have made this mod because with the sks key and long standing still the battery draines to fast.

i maybe need a new battery but firts my dealer told me that i get a new one under warranty and now he is telling me that its nog possible ..

o well.. i wil see what i wil do.

nice thing now is when the battery is realy drained i have a small 4 amps charger that i can connect and instanly start the prius again and i am of..

i made the same connector on this charger so its clik and go

ken1784 · 02-17-2008, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by efusco

Once thing, if you haven't already done so, you might want to see if you're getting much if any juice from your solar panel. I've read that the UV blocking, esp. if the window is tinted, can dramatically reduce the functionality of the solar panel. If you really need it to charge the battery you might want to run the wire outside the car and just set the panel on the roof.

Just FYI...
Japanese Prius rear hatch glass blocks 90% of UV and 53% of visible light.

Ken@Japan

hobbit · 02-17-2008, 10:16 AM

By ty-wrapping your positive to the main (+) lead coming in
from the car, you've made it more difficult to disconnect the
large connector to the car there. I would have routed the
wiring differently. Also make sure the two felt-tipped pegs
from the plastic corner cover aren't landing on your wiring,
which is pretty easy to have happen back there.
.
I'm amused by the XLR connector... they *should* be able to
pass several amps without any trouble, though; some audio outfits
use them as *speaker* connectors in fairly high-powered systems,
although doing so is a poor idea for a few other reasons...
.
_H*

seasalsa · 02-17-2008, 10:51 AM

Why not just use the factory provided jump terminals under the hood? That is the real "easy access recharge" point.

Flying White Dutchman · 02-17-2008, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken1784

Just FYI...
Japanese Prius rear hatch glass blocks 90% of UV and 53% of visible light.

Ken@Japan

FYI?

Quote:

Originally Posted by hobbit

By ty-wrapping your positive to the main (+) lead coming in
from the car, you've made it more difficult to disconnect the
large connector to the car there. I would have routed the
wiring differently. Also make sure the two felt-tipped pegs
from the plastic corner cover aren't landing on your wiring,
which is pretty easy to have happen back there.
.
I'm amused by the XLR connector... they *should* be able to
pass several amps without any trouble, though; some audio outfits
use them as *speaker* connectors in fairly high-powered systems,
although doing so is a poor idea for a few other reasons...
.
_H*

i am not going to disconnect the cables a lot so dont mind the ty wrapping

Quote:

Originally Posted by seasalsa

Why not just use the factory provided jump terminals under the hood? That is the real "easy access recharge" point.

you see the solar panel?

ken1784 · 02-17-2008, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lIon

FYI?

Just FYI,
FYI stands for "for your information".

Ken@Japan

statultra · 02-17-2008, 10:56 PM

hey lIon are you from the states?

02-14-2008, 12:48 PM	#1
Flying White Dutchman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 3,751 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: Thanks: 153 Thanked 234 Times in 193 Posts Friends: 15	12 volt battery easy access recharge plug mod I made a mod to my prius to easily recharge my 12 volt battery pics included and connected to a small solar panel Attached Thumbnails

02-14-2008, 12:54 PM	#2
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 19,618 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 215 Thanked 870 Times in 505 Posts Friends: 47	Re: 12 volt battery easy access recharge plug mod I did something similar when I got my solar panel/charger (which I never once needed to use and ultimately removed)...I just used the alligator clips though..they stayed on for 3 years without coming off. Once thing, if you haven't already done so, you might want to see if you're getting much if any juice from your solar panel. I've read that the UV blocking, esp. if the window is tinted, can dramatically reduce the functionality of the solar panel. If you really need it to charge the battery you might want to run the wire outside the car and just set the panel on the roof. __________________ Evan E. Fusco, MD "It's a damn poor mind that can only think of one way to spell a word." -Andrew Jackson

02-14-2008, 12:58 PM	#3
markderail I do 45 mins @ 3200 PSI Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pierrefonds (Montreal) Quebec Canada Posts: 2,260 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Premium (Canada) Thanks: 457 Thanked 152 Times in 106 Posts Friends: 9	Re: 12 volt battery easy access recharge plug mod I like the use of the microphone (marine radio?) male-female adapter. I'd say cost to do probably below 50$. Saw similar panels on sale at 30$. Does it affect rear-viewing visibility, or do you take it down before driving? A cool mod would be a sunroof, where the glass of the sunroof was actually a retractable solar panel. Good job! _

02-14-2008, 12:59 PM	#4
Flying White Dutchman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 3,751 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: Thanks: 153 Thanked 234 Times in 193 Posts Friends: 15	Re: 12 volt battery easy access recharge plug mod i have made this mod because with the sks key and long standing still the battery draines to fast. i maybe need a new battery but firts my dealer told me that i get a new one under warranty and now he is telling me that its nog possible .. o well.. i wil see what i wil do. nice thing now is when the battery is realy drained i have a small 4 amps charger that i can connect and instanly start the prius again and i am of.. i made the same connector on this charger so its clik and go

02-17-2008, 10:16 AM	#6
hobbit Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bahstahn Posts: 4,089 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: Base Thanks: 0 Thanked 443 Times in 233 Posts Friends: 0	Re: 12 volt battery easy access recharge plug mod By ty-wrapping your positive to the main (+) lead coming in from the car, you've made it more difficult to disconnect the large connector to the car there. I would have routed the wiring differently. Also make sure the two felt-tipped pegs from the plastic corner cover aren't landing on your wiring, which is pretty easy to have happen back there. . I'm amused by the XLR connector... they should be able to pass several amps without any trouble, though; some audio outfits use them as speaker connectors in fairly high-powered systems, although doing so is a poor idea for a few other reasons... . _H*

02-17-2008, 10:51 AM	#7
seasalsa Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 1,277 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: II Package: No Package Thanks: 6 Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts Friends: 1	Re: 12 volt battery easy access recharge plug mod Why not just use the factory provided jump terminals under the hood? That is the real "easy access recharge" point.

02-17-2008, 10:56 PM	#10
statultra uber-Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: cape coral, FL Posts: 784 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 13 Posts Friends: 0	Re: 12 volt battery easy access recharge plug mod hey lIon are you from the states?