Anyone have one and do they work?

Where to buy etc?

Thanks in advance

 

Had one. Worked great in the summer, but those weren't the months I really needed it to work.

If you aren't ANC based, it's worth a try.

 

I bought one for my airport car... it didn't seem to work very well, in fact, I wondered if it was a battery "dis"-charger manufactured by the car battery folks (to make you have to buy a new battery).

In case you don't know ... the guard shack (as you drive into the Democrat lot) has a portable jumper battery. I haven't had much luck with it, it doesn't seem to have enough juice to start my dead battery, other guys have had good luck with it (I have no problem with jumper cables from another car?)

TTFN ... MM

 

I have a 2.5 Amp/hr one. You must connect directly to the car battery. Using the DC port (Cigarette Lighter) will not work, because the port is un-powered when the ignition switch is off. I believe I bought it from batterystuff.com, or something. Just google under solar battery chargers. Good Luck!

 

I bought one from a marine supply place for, if I remember correctly, about $15. Installed it on the rear deck of my Saab 900S hatchback and routed it through the ignition switch, as you've got to get the current into the battery and on Saabs, when the ignition is turned off, the cigarette lighter doesn't work, so by routing it the way I did, the cell's power flowed directly into the battery, regardless of whether the car was turned on or off. The one I bought was sold as a sailboat battery minder and produced 12.8 volts.

At the time I was fairly senior, which meant that for long periods of time, the car would sit in Memphis, unused. One February night, about 1:30 AM, I ended up in Memphis, searching the Democrat lot for my car, which I hadn't seen in perhaps 5 months. Just wondering the lot was a huge frustration, and the thought of the car not starting was also, in my mind, an issue. Oh, and it was about 20 degrees F and I was freezing my butt off wondering those many rows of cars.

Eventually I found the car and low and behold, it started on the first turn of the key. So, Yes, they work and work quite well. It does however depend on where you mount the solar cell. Mount it where it will get the most light throughout the daylight hours, and you should do fine.

JJ

 

I've Been using one in DFW for a year. The life indicator on my battery turned from green to amber and then to being nothing, black. Then u decided to get this because the battery would drop to 12v after a drive. It's suppose to remain at 13.xV. It is an 09 pickup. I decided to try the Sunforce trickle charger from Cabelas. The square sized one. Haven't had a problem since. I notice the glass removes some UV but you won't see me mounting my solar charger in the exterior. It'll disappear. My 12v sockets are active whether ignition is on or off. I will continue using it. I use it on y four day trips. I do think it extends the life of batteries that are on their way out.

 

the guard shack no longer has the starter/charger, unless they just reconstituted it. In april I couldn't start, but knew they had one. Walked down there & they said they got rid of it, with no plans to get another to loan out.

Might be a good idea for ALPA to buy one and let the guard shack keep custody. I think they are $90-100.

Solar charger at harbor freight for $20. As mentioned your cigarette lighter has to be "hot" for it to work wired up that way. It will not charge a dead or weak battery but will maintain a charge by trickling.

 

Got one of those for my riding mower. Panel is on top of shed and I wired a quick disconnect to the battery on the mower inside. Works great for $20, starts first shot every time...

 

I am .......

Is there an issue of snow covering the daylight or is it a temperature thing?

 

Snow, low sun angle, and short days all work against you. ANC security has a jumper box, but I leave one in my car as well..