Come on all you guys smarter than me!

[75blazer]

I'm thinking about getting a solar powered trickle charger and desulphator. Before I get one, I'm trying to figure out where to install the little solar panel.

My question is: Does the Pilot have a UV blocking coating on the windshield? If so, I can't put it on the dash.

If that's the case, anyone have any ideas on where to put it? It's 4.5" X 5.5". I was thinking I could attach it to the roof rack, but I don't know where I'd pull the wire through without introducing leaks. Thoughts?

[youbetcha]

Most solar panels use visible and infrared light, I wouldn't worry about the UV filtering.

But I would worry about the size of the solar panel. If you are going to charge a car battery, you are looking for a solar panel the size of your roof top, not one that would fit on the dash.

I saw a solar panel online, it was about 1 foot square, rated at 12 volts and .6 amps. Typical car battery is rated in the range of 45 amp hours. It would take this larger solar panel 75 hours of strong sunlight to charge a car battery! Your solar panel is one sixth the size, you would need months of "average" daylight. I doubt it would even keep a car battery "topped off" sitting at the airport. Your alternator can produce 40-60 amps -- up to 100 times the power of the solar panel and can charge the battery in about an hour.

This type of output for the larger panel would be sufficient for charging a cell phone in a reasonable amount of time (a few hours, maybe).

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by 75blazer
I'm thinking about getting a solar powered trickle charger and desulphator. Before I get one, I'm trying to figure out where to install the little solar panel.

My question is: Does the Pilot have a UV blocking coating on the windshield? If so, I can't put it on the dash.

If that's the case, anyone have any ideas on where to put it? It's 4.5" X 5.5". I was thinking I could attach it to the roof rack, but I don't know where I'd pull the wire through without introducing leaks. Thoughts?

Do you store your pilot long enough to ave battery problems?

[rocky]

I appreciate your solar idea but got one of these a few years ago. Its been very useful for all the 12 v things I have

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...s+%26+Boosters

[krygny]

What is the purpose of this? (Link?)

[75blazer]

Originally posted by youbetcha
Most solar panels use visible and infrared light, I wouldn't worry about the UV filtering.

But I would worry about the size of the solar panel. If you are going to charge a car battery, you are looking for a solar panel the size of your roof top, not one that would fit on the dash.

I saw a solar panel online, it was about 1 foot square, rated at 12 volts and .6 amps. Typical car battery is rated in the range of 45 amp hours. It would take this larger solar panel 75 hours of strong sunlight to charge a car battery! Your solar panel is one sixth the size, you would need months of "average" daylight. I doubt it would even keep a car battery "topped off" sitting at the airport. Your alternator can produce 40-60 amps -- up to 100 times the power of the solar panel and can charge the battery in about an hour.

This type of output for the larger panel would be sufficient for charging a cell phone in a reasonable amount of time (a few hours, maybe).

It's not intended to re-charge the battery, only keep it from discharging as it sits. The primary benefit is the desulfating feature. It removes the sulfate deposits on the lead plates enabling the battery to charge deeper, hold a charge longer and increase battery life. The solar panel powers the unit and provides a small charge current. My pilot has been relegated to street parking and uncovered parking at work so I don't have convenient access to AC power for a traditional battery tender.

Originally posted by N_Jay


Do you store your pilot long enough to ave battery problems?

The last time I was on an extended vacation I came home to a dead battery. I have since replaced that battery. I'm planning a trip in March and for less than an average night out, I can have peace of mind that I won't be stuck in a parking lot with a 2 year old in a car that won't start.

[75blazer]

Originally posted by krygny
What is the purpose of this? (Link?)

These are for sale on fleabay for about $50.

http://helios.pulsetech.net/cgi/hsru...S&Itno=735X150

[krygny]

Originally posted by 75blazer


These are for sale on fleabay for about $50.

http://helios.pulsetech.net/cgi/hsru...S&Itno=735X150

The link didn't work for me but I assume you're referring to one of their SolarPulse products. It's still not clear to me what these are for. What happens if you don't use one vs. what happens if you do?

[youbetcha]

Originally posted by 75blazer

I can have peace of mind that I won't be stuck in a parking lot with a 2 year old in a car that won't start.

This device would bring me no peace of mind.

Sorry -- just being honest.

I'm skeptical that what you are showing, would do anything at all. And you would probably never know one way or the other.

[robrecht]

Originally posted by 75blazer
The last time I was on an extended vacation I came home to a dead battery. I have since replaced that battery. I'm planning a trip in March and for less than an average night out, I can have peace of mind that I won't be stuck in a parking lot with a 2 year old in a car that won't start.

How long was the vacation? Do you have any dark current aftermarket mods, eg, a car alarm?

[carmania11]

My solar panels are too visible and infrared light.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by krygny

The link didn't work for me but I assume you're referring to one of their SolarPulse products. It's still not clear to me what these are for. What happens if you don't use one vs. what happens if you do?

Long term use of solar chargers (almost any trickle charger) will cause sulfication of the plates.

These chargers help prevent that.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by youbetcha


This device would bring me no peace of mind.

Sorry -- just being honest.

I'm skeptical that what you are showing, would do anything at all. And you would probably never know one way or the other.

I don't know if the brand is any good, but the concepts are sound.

The little plug in the cig lighter chargers are the BS ones.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by 75blazer
The last time I was on an extended vacation I came home to a dead battery. I have since replaced that battery. I'm planning a trip in March and for less than an average night out, I can have peace of mind that I won't be stuck in a parking lot with a 2 year old in a car that won't start.

Most airports give free jump starts.

I know ORD and Midway do.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by 75blazer
. . . . It's 4.5" X 5.5". . . .

That is too small to make enough power to even run a decent desulfication controller.

The process still requires you provide a charge current, and that panel is just way too small.