Author Topic: Solar Power Trickle Charger - any good?  (Read 1711 times)

Offline Norwich7point5

  • Not said much yet
  • **
  • Posts: 61
Solar Power Trickle Charger - any good?
« on: 23 January 2021, 17:38 »
Evening All.
A little bit of background first; I replaced my battery with a Yuasa AGM in November last year. Currently, I'm not using the car (for obvious reasons :whistle:) so every week or so I take it for a spin, just to keep the thing charged and keep the tyres circle shaped etc.
I know the freezing weather isn't helping but this afternoon I keyed it on and was dismayed to see the '12V battery low, charge by driving' warning :embarrassed:

I park the car just around the corner from where I live so a mains trickle charger isn't an option but it's in a car park that gets daylight all day long so I wonder if a solar powered unit might help a little?

Anyone else have any experience of them?
2017 mk7.5 Indium Grey Metallic GTI - 3 door - Manual - Art Velours - Brescia 19s - No fog lights!

Offline Rob_benton

  • Here all the time
  • ****
  • Posts: 267
Re: Solar Power Trickle Charger - any good?
« Reply #1 on: 23 January 2021, 18:11 »
I’ve looked at them in the past as host users use them as well.
Obviously the more sun they have the better.
If you have not access to the mains for a charger, I’d give it a go. And compare voltage after a couple of days.
You’d need to turn the cigarette lighter socket live if you haven’t done do already
2014 gti pp dsg

Offline dervdave

  • Not said much yet
  • **
  • Posts: 69
Re: Solar Power Trickle Charger - any good?
« Reply #2 on: 23 January 2021, 18:52 »
I`ve one on the golf and hilux, they connect via the obd sockets because their 12v sockets aren`t live with the ignition off.
Work really good in the 6 yrs I`ve used them.
2016 GTD

Offline rwleigh

  • Here all the time
  • ****
  • Posts: 396
  • Richard.
Re: Solar Power Trickle Charger - any good?
« Reply #3 on: 23 January 2021, 20:45 »
I`ve one on the golf and hilux, they connect via the obd sockets because their 12v sockets aren`t live with the ignition off.
Work really good in the 6 yrs I`ve used them.

12V sockets in the golf can be made permanent live Dave, only need to move one fuse a bit.


Going back to the OP, I use a solar panel for maintaining the battery and also plug in my CTEK MXS-5.0 occasionally.

My original battery will be 5 years old this year...
Golf GTI CS40 #010 | Manual | 5 door | Pure White | Car-Net | 90% tints | Winter Pack | REVO stage 1

Offline Norwich7point5

  • Not said much yet
  • **
  • Posts: 61
Re: Solar Power Trickle Charger - any good?
« Reply #4 on: 25 January 2021, 20:00 »
Thanks all!
2017 mk7.5 Indium Grey Metallic GTI - 3 door - Manual - Art Velours - Brescia 19s - No fog lights!