Only having a poverty spec 6 I don't have a sunroof, so I was wondering if these solar battery chargers are any good? I use an Ultragauge which seems to put a slight drain on the battery if not used for a while. So my thinking is that the car is going to Spain, it won't be used that much for 3 weeks, more sunshine there, so plug charger into cigarette lighter socket and keep battery topped up BUT do these things work?
Any experience of these things?
Cheers
Solar Battery Charger?
Solar Battery Charger?
2004 RS6 C5 Avant
Re: Solar Battery Charger?
I was interested in one of these but they get very mixed reviews. Still, if it's gonna work anywhere then it'll probably be Spain.
For info, the solar sunroof doesn't charge the battery.
Let us know if you find a decent one.
For info, the solar sunroof doesn't charge the battery.
Let us know if you find a decent one.
Daytona RS6 C5 Avant. Viper'd, Billies, Waggers, MTM box brain, C6 stoppers, xcarlink, R8 coolant cap (woohoo)
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
Re: Solar Battery Charger?
I thought Id read somewhere that the roof charged the battery and cooled the car, unless thats on a C6 or C7?
I'm googling the panels as we speak....
I'm googling the panels as we speak....
2004 RS6 C5 Avant
Re: Solar Battery Charger?
You mighta read it, but it ain't so. Common misconception. Also annoying that it doesn't, too.
Daytona RS6 C5 Avant. Viper'd, Billies, Waggers, MTM box brain, C6 stoppers, xcarlink, R8 coolant cap (woohoo)
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
Re: Solar Battery Charger?
Had quite a long look at these and as usual with forum/reviews there is lots of positive and negative opinions, a lot of professors of physics and not a straightforward answer. General gist seems to be that you need a lot of wattage to charge a car battery and in this country you don't often get enough sunshine. I really wanted one to keep the car topped up whilst on holiday but the higher the wattage, the higher the price....therefore I'll take it for a spin instead.
2004 RS6 C5 Avant
Re: Solar Battery Charger?
That's pretty much the conclusion I came to, also.
Daytona RS6 C5 Avant. Viper'd, Billies, Waggers, MTM box brain, C6 stoppers, xcarlink, R8 coolant cap (woohoo)
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
Re: Solar Battery Charger?
There's a whole discussion on another forum about using the solar sunroof in an A8 to do this, and that's a massive array compared to any "plug-in" you can buy.
Conclusion is that the plug-ins are a waste of time, but if you can get the right electronics linked to an A8 solar sunroof it might help keep a healthy battery in good condition.
Conclusion is that the plug-ins are a waste of time, but if you can get the right electronics linked to an A8 solar sunroof it might help keep a healthy battery in good condition.
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