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Using solar charger on 2006 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by hyphenate, Jul 16, 2020.

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  1. hyphenate

    hyphenate New Member

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    Looking for input/feedback on using a solar charger to keep my battery from dying while parked longterm.

    My 2006 Prius is sitting in another state as I am home on lockdown. It is being started every 2-3 days but has needed to be jumpstarted twice now, perhaps when that interval was exceeded. Advised to not put in a new 12v battery if I won't be driving it consistently for a couple more months, so looking into a suggestion of a solar charger that plugs into the cigarette lighter. I have looked at the specs (will paste below) and it seems it won't overcharge. The car is parked outside and so a plug-in trickle charger is not an option. Any reason to not do this? Thanks.

    Specification:

    Solar Panel Type: Amorphous
    Maximum Wattage: 3.3W
    Short Circuit Current: 190mA
    Open Circuit Voltage: 23.4V
    Maximum Power Current: 215mA
    Operating Voltage: 12V
    Size: 14*8.5*0.8inch
    Weight: 2.2lbs
     
    #1 hyphenate, Jul 16, 2020
  2. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Welcome to PriusChat!!

    What is the make/model/cost, or might you have a part number/UPC?
    Not really, make sure the device has a inline diode to prevent the 12v from draining.

    If time permits, try using the search feature (currently working) here in priuschat, you'll be amazed at what you can learn.
     
    #2 SFO, Jul 16, 2020
  3. hyphenate

    hyphenate New Member

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    Thanks for the response. I went to my local Toyota dealer and talked to service guys today, and they said that the cigarette lighter is basically one direction and that the charger, through that outlet wouldn't really work. I can't really ask my friend who is watching the car to clip the alligator clips to the battery terminals day in and day out. So, thinking that excludes this charger as a possibility?
     
    #3 hyphenate, Jul 16, 2020
  4. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    A good AUTOMATIC solar charger would be a good option.
    But the one you listed is NOT a good one.

    The capacity is too low for a car battery.
    And it appears to not be regulated.
    An unregulated trickle charger is NOT a good option.

    Note: Just starting it for a few minutes does little to NO good.
    It needs to be driven for about an hour a week if you don't have an automatic battery tender on it.
     
    #4 sam spade 2, Jul 16, 2020
    Ellyg likes this.
  5. hyphenate

    hyphenate New Member

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    Thank you. The one last thing I am trying to confirm-- because what I heard at the dealer today and then elsewhere is different: I can plug it into the cigarette lighter jack? Or-- it has to be via the alligator clips? The service guy at the dealer said the lighter jack is basically one direction and so wouldn't be an option. Sorry to be dense. Just trying to be cautious. And not buy something that won't work. And-- it has to be made manageable for the friend who is watching and starting it while I am gone.

    I searched again and found this one on Amazon. Feels more like you are talking about, with features you mentioned, but not clear if it is powerful enough, as you suggested the other wasn't?

    SOLPERK 12V Solar Panel，Solar trickle Charger，Solar Battery Charger and Maintainer，Suitable for Automotive, Motorcycle, Boat, ATV,Marine, RV, Trailer, Powersports, Snowmobile, etc. (20W Amorphous)




     
    #5 hyphenate, Jul 16, 2020
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 16, 2020
  6. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Sorry I forgot to mention that.
    The cigarette lighter socket is probably disconnected when the car is OFF. It is NOT "one way".

    I can't see the link, maybe because of my ad blocker but the fact that they call it a "trickle charger" makes me nervous.
    The 20 watt capacity should be enough.....IF it actually has a smart controller included.
     
    #6 sam spade 2, Jul 16, 2020
  7. hyphenate

    hyphenate New Member

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    Ok, thank you, will check out those points,
     
    #7 hyphenate, Jul 16, 2020
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