12V Solar Battery Charger

[zenMachine]

Has anyone used this battery charger in a Prius, or any car for that matter?

http://www.cetsolar.com/batterybudd.htm

[attachmentid=10602]

The Solar Panel is a 1.8 watt (minimum) weather proof module with a 2 year warranty.

A Built in LED light indicates when the panel is charging. A Blocking Diode limits the charging direction to one way only.

There is also an inline fuse for complete safety. Also included is 10 feet of charging cable with a male connector at one end.

By attaching the Solar Panel to the wind screen and plugging in the cigarette lighter socket will allow you to charge the vehicle's battery while driving or parked.

[Gadgetdad]

[quote]
Has anyone used this battery charger in a Prius, or any car for that matter?


I have a similar but smaller one I bought at Pep Boys for about $35. I think it worked fine in the Prius, but now I use it in a '91 VW Vanagon that sits unused most of the time. It seems to keep the battery topped up OK. In the Prius, I just set it on the dashboard when I would park the car. You must first rig the cig lighter outlet to be "on" all the time. See Coastaletech for the kit.

Lee

[abq sfr]

Someone told me that all Volkswagens come to the US with a similar solar panel, and the dealer usually has lots of them sitting around and if you are really nice they might give you one. Maybe you can go for a test drive and get a free solar panel to keep your 12v battery charged! It would probably work well just sitting on the trunk floor.

[priussoris]

That is correct, VW's are shipped with a 3 and or 5 watt solar panel with suction cups and it plugs right into the obdII connector, it also has the diode in it too.

I bought mine off ebay for 15.00 it is in the ev to keep the 12 volt batt. up.

[efusco]

I bought one, hooked up the alligator clips to the 12v, hooked it up momentarily, disconnected it and have never hooked it up again....that was about 3 1/2 years ago.

It'll work to maintain the charge (I think), not sure it could recharge a dead battery. I have my windows fairly darkly tinted, so that might decrease the output (input?) of the charger...something to keep in mind.

[jonjonbear]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priussoris @ Aug 14 2007, 12:26 PM) [snapback]495429[/snapback]</div>

That is correct, VW's are shipped with a 3 and or 5 watt solar panel with suction cups and it plugs right into the obdII connector, it also has the diode in it too.

I bought mine off ebay for 15.00 it is in the ev to keep the 12 volt batt. up.
[/b]

That's odd..The one that came with my Passat plugged into the lighter..Guess they had different versions..

John

[priussoris]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jonjonbear @ Aug 15 2007, 07:06 AM) [snapback]496053[/snapback]</div>

That's odd..The one that came with my Passat plugged into the lighter..Guess they had different versions..

John
[/b]

Here is a link to one on ebay: I have one just like it but I cut the obdII connector off and put ring terminals on and right to the battery

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VW-12v-Auto...sspagenameZWDVW

[jonjonbear]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priussoris @ Aug 15 2007, 09:00 AM) [snapback]496070[/snapback]</div>

Here is a link to one on ebay: I have one just like it but I cut the obdII connector off and put ring terminals on and right to the battery

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VW-12v-Auto...sspagenameZWDVW
[/b]

Interesting..It looks just like mine with the exception of the cord..But the size, color ect is all the same..Wonder why they changed? Maybe this was for a model who's ciggy lighter turned off with the key..My car stays hot..

John