Solar panel charger unit

[Happy1]

I bought a solar panel trickle charger from Maplins, I plugged it into the ciggie socket on the boat, but realised I had to leave the battery key on to give power to the socket, I left it on, went back a week later to my fully charged boat BUT the battery was dead! Luckily I had my battery pack to boost it, and it is now re-charged.

What went wrong? I was wondering if the activation of the battery key may well start up some other electrical things like CO detector e.t.c. Perhaps these used more power than the tiny trickle being generated! Anyone else use one of these, and should it perhaps be linked direct to the battery to avoid the battery key business?

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[tcm]

Re: woah, stop this.

I parked my car at gatwick airport, went on holiday, came back 3 weeks later and ..the car started.

I think you have accidentally bought another gadget - but are missing a most important boaty item which I have recently discovered - A SKIP!

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[Happy1]

Re: woah, stop this.

Did you leave a solar panel plugged in? was it a skip lorry, and what were you doing driving a skip lorry, is that your line of business? you don't need to answer if you don't want to /forums/images/icons/wink.gif Just a strange thing to leave at an airport for 3 weeks IMHO

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[BrendanS]

Loads of things might draw current if battery isolator left on. Wire straight into battery, and turn off isolator

Really a waste of time on a sportsboat though, your battery should be charged up from the engine to start it next time no probs. Battery pack for those occassions where you've forgotten to turn of isolator is better bet.

Solar thing is handy for raggies who have to remember to power up engine to charge battery after they've been using lights, nav equipment etc.

<hr width=100% size=1>Err, let me know if Depsol enters the forum, I'll go and hide

 

[DavidP]

Hi

My boat will started after 4 weeks last winter but i try not to leave it that long,

Dave.

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[DepSol]

Solar Panels need sunlight and fat chance of that in the UK!

<hr width=100% size=1>Dom

Now where is that Brendan hiding?