C5ALIVE Forum

C5 Help => Tried & Tested : Share your good,or bad, experiences => Topic started by: peter2ltr on 24, February, 2012 - 20:00:02

Title: solar panel charger!
Post by: peter2ltr on 24, February, 2012 - 20:00:02
Does anyone use a solar panel charger on there c5 when there out for a run to extend there battery life!
Does it work or would it work? ???
I have a charger i use on my kit car when its sitting not being used and wondered if it work on the c5 whilst out and about on it?
Pete
Title: Re: solar panel charger!
Post by: kamilb1998 on 24, February, 2012 - 20:01:26
I think you would be taking more out than you could put in...
Title: Re: solar panel charger!
Post by: rafarestaura on 24, February, 2012 - 21:19:48
Hi Peter, yes, you can use a solar panel to increase battery autonomy. For me, the better choice is a flexible solar panel, easy to fix at the front of the C5. You have enough place to put a 20 watts panel, that means about 1,5 amps/hour of generation. That also means if you go out for a sunday trip with your C5 from ten to four in a sunny day you will get about 9 amps for your battery, about a 20% more of usable power, thinking you have a 44 amps battery or similar. I think it´s a good idea. You can see this kind of panel here, as an example, there is cheapest if you search more:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20w-Semi-flexible-Mono-solar-panel-car-boat-caravan-12V-FREE-SHIPPING-/270773394516?pt=UK_Gadgets&hash=item3f0b5a1c54

I use a similar one to maintain the charge of the cars, the van and to charge the batteries of my electric vehicles, there are a lot of sunny hours here  :) :).

Regards, Rafael
Title: Re: solar panel charger!
Post by: thedesigntailor on 27, February, 2012 - 17:44:33
This would be good for when you are parked outside too

I imagine if you were to drive for 4 - 5 miles to work then leave it in the sun for a few hours you'd come back to find it full charged.

Would obstruct the head light though  :(

It's a pity mine gets parked out of the light at work
Title: Re: solar panel charger!
Post by: kamilb1998 on 27, February, 2012 - 19:24:09
Quote from: thedesigntailor on  27, February, 2012  - 17:44:33
This would be good for when you are parked outside too

I imagine if you were to drive for 4 - 5 miles to work then leave it in the sun for a few hours you'd come back to find it full charged.

Would obstruct the head light though  :(

It's a pity mine gets parked out of the light at work

This sounds good, I may get one for when my C5 is parked at school.
Title: Re: solar panel charger!
Post by: Lancealot on 27, February, 2012 - 20:40:39
How are you finding leaving the C5 at school. Has anyone tried to take it for a spin wilst you are not there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They may just remove the solar panel as they are worth something..................

Lance
Title: Re: solar panel charger!
Post by: peter2ltr on 27, February, 2012 - 20:43:24
That flexi solar panel looks very smart and gives a good out put
my charger was one from maplin brief case style idle for keeping in the boot and put you battery on charge whilst at work or when ever its maybe not so good for riding about with it fitted it was reasonably priced aswell pretty sure it was under 20 pound
pete