Car battery Solar panel for windscreen with OBD port and/or cig lighter connection ?

BlueonBlue

I have a older van thats now sits parked more than it used to on a busy london main road .
It can take any battery that fits the battery box in practice so I have fitted a higher rated one .

Considering a Solar panel to help stop the battery running flat from parasitic load but so many varibles exist as far as Solar panel connections ie. Cig lighter or OBD port and the actual needed solar panel power ratings with a controller ....or not etc 

As its a van I will need to use a solar panel from inside the windscree/ front drivers seat so the above connections via OBD port or cig lighter seem the best as the battery sits way back in the rear by the vans tailgate so alligator clips are not the easy option .

For real ease of connection/disconnection the Cig Lighter seems to be the best practical option (if it works with the ignition/key off ) as its not advised to have the panel connected when starting/running the engine.

I get the feeling alot of the cheaper types of solar panel may be limited or a waste of money so does anyone know which min spec panels work best at a resonable cost .

So far one of the AA Solar panels look like a option on cost fittings but thats just from looking online not experience.

forgotmyname

Works with the ignition feed off as it's not advised to have it connected with the engine running.   Why?

Panel should output 15v or less otherwise used with a charge controller.  I would say connecting it to an OBDII port is more of a risk. 

How big will the panel be and what current drain do you have?  Will it output that amount on the average dull day whilst taking the
manufacturers figures with a pinch of salt whilst also reducing the figures because it will be behind glass?

BlueonBlue

No idea on your first question but from what ive read thats what is suggested .
I would prefer the ease of using a cig lighter and just leave the panel plugged in as I will probably forget to disconnect at some point anyway .
The varibles will always be present .
So perhaps the AA solar panels are more hopefull than helpful and a more powerfull panel with a controller is needed ?

Goudy

I have one of those AA solar maintainers and it's sat the mother in laws car as she doesn't use it that often.
They aren't really designed for larger batteries though.

It's only a small car with a fairly small battery but it does keep the battery chemistry active and the battery topped up. 
A lot of hybrid drivers tend to use them as their 12v batteries are tiny.


I would look at something more substantial for a van with a bigger battery, but that comes at a cost.
Something like an OptiMate Solar Duo 20w Car Kit.

OptiMate make different kits based on the same panel but the Car Kit is designed for what you plan to do.
OptiMate Solar Duo 20W Car Kit

There are optional extension cables and ODB2 plugs of different lengths, so you could plumb the wires direct to the battery.

prowla

I bought a couple of cheap solar chargers and they don't like being inside windows; I tested one in my kitchen and it wouldn't charge a phone on a sunny day.
(In fairness, the instructions did say for outdoor use.)