Hood Open or Closed for Trickle Charge?

[MdMfan]

Originally Posted by sachaja

I store mine in a garage w/ no power outlets . Any suggestions on how to keep my battery fresh ? A trickle charger requires A/C power . I'm not sure about hooking it up to one of those portable jump starter batteries because it's not really a "trickle charger". I don't want to pull the battery out if I don't have to. I've seen a few solar trickle chargers advertised. I'm not sure how well they work and it might be hard to find a solar light source. The garage has no windows.

I'm storing mine this winter and had the same issues. I was hesitant to remove the battery but that's what the service guys at the local dealership advised me to do, so that's what I did. Glad it's not sitting in the car dying in the -15 degree weather. It's now sitting in my house, connected to a Deltran battery tender (based on recommendations on these forums).

[alee0729]

Originally Posted by Mr Sparkle

Wife kills me if I leave hood down when I take a trickle.

So hood up for me.

[alee0729]

Originally Posted by sachaja

I store mine in a garage w/ no power outlets . Any suggestions on how to keep my battery fresh ? A trickle charger requires A/C power . I'm not sure about hooking it up to one of those portable jump starter batteries because it's not really a "trickle charger". I don't want to pull the battery out if I don't have to. I've seen a few solar trickle chargers advertised. I'm not sure how well they work and it might be hard to find a solar light source. The garage has no windows.

I use the solar chargers, which work remarkably well, even with a little light. My light source is coming throw smoked glass in the parking garage and it works perfectly fine. I am using a 10W panel on the E46, and a 15W panel on the E92.

[SWOT1]

Deltran hookup for closed hood...

[Prince_of_Persia]

Originally Posted by MdMfan

I'm storing mine this winter and had the same issues. I was hesitant to remove the battery but that's what the service guys at the local dealership advised me to do, so that's what I did. Glad it's not sitting in the car dying in the -15 degree weather. It's now sitting in my house, connected to a Deltran battery tender (based on recommendations on these forums).

Like this :



You need something like this:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/au...-0112028p.html

And

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/au...41p.touch.html

[wchow16]

My car is garaged and I have the hood wide open with the trickle charger hooked up. Is there a issue with that?

[SilentAttack]

I have my hood slightly closed

[MdMfan]

Originally Posted by Prince_of_Persia

Like this :



You need something like this:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/au...-0112028p.html

And

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/au...41p.touch.html

Thanks. How long is this setup good for without an additional power source?

[Prince_of_Persia]

Originally Posted by MdMfan

Thanks. How long is this setup good for without an additional power source?

Everytime you charge the powerpack, it can run the trickle charger for 14-15 hours which is enough to fully charge your battery. I usually charge my battery once every 2 weeks.

[sachaja]

So the power pack is attached to the trickle charger which is then attached to the car . Great solution !!!!

[Prince_of_Persia]

Originally Posted by sachaja

So the power pack is attached to the trickle charger which is then attached to the car . Great solution !!!!

Exactly
I bought the PowerPack on sale for $130 and the Trickle Charger for around $50

[MdMfan]

Great info - thanks!

[alee0729]

Originally Posted by Mr Sparkle

wait, whaa?! Give me a link of the product! (or setup if it's a DIY)

http://batterytender.com/products/solar.html

It works GREAT.

[alee0729]

Originally Posted by Mr Sparkle

that's awesome, what's the major difference between wattage, just the charge rate?

Max charge rate. The panel has a regulator in it just like a regular AC battery tender has, so it will step it down appropriately if needed. I went with the larger panels largely for a play for more surface area, rather than needing 15 watts, given it's in a parking garage.

Also how long are the cords that connect for the controller to your car? I need about 10-feet.

I'm using it with the Deltran 12.5 foot extension cable... so total run of about 22 feet.

You also mentioned yours worked reasonably well in a dimly lit parking garage's frosted glass roof? I also have a similar setup in my house, a frosted glass roof, but in a courtyard/mud room which is 10 feet away from my garage. Not sure if it's too far...

It's just a frosted glass window. Attached a pic of how the frosted glass looks. I've gone as far as 10 weeks between drives and the car starts strong.

[alee0729]

Originally Posted by Mr Sparkle

my frosted windows are on the roof, so and I might have a bit more light, so I think it'll work too. I will need to buy their extension cable as well.

thanks for your help, I'm probably going to pull the trigger on this setup.

Let me know how it works out for you. I was skeptical but swear by them now.

Just be sure to keep the panels wiped down every few weeks to maximize the amount of light.

[alee0729]

You're overthinking it... the Tender solutions are all smart. Plug it in, and leave it alone. When it turns green, it is trickle charging.

Originally Posted by Mr Sparkle

I'm on the fence whether I want to buy the classic corded version or the solar version.

Corded is always better, but in a pinch the solar solution does work.

My first concern is based on my lack of technical knowledge. If the solar charger is hooked up at night (no light), I presume, no discharge will happen, correct?

Does not charge at night, and does not charge if there's insufficient light. Presumably the discharge from the car is less than the amount of charge coming in so over a few days you do get to full.

[Rupes]

Do you guys think it matters if you lock your doors with the battery tender attached? Does the draw in power from the alarm being active somehow interfere with the charger?

[Endless619]

I just hooked up my trickle charger and ran a 50 foot heavy duty extension cord from my garage to my cold room where I have outlets. Its suppose to get -15 this week for 2 days. I kept the alarm armed and the hood latched but not all the way down. It does not rub on any of the clamps.. Should be fine.