Battery Solar trickle charger. Best place to install?

ArcherK83 · 11th September 2012, 09:46

Hi everyone.

I often leave my car for a week or two at a time whilst I'm away with work. Could someone give me some advice on a solar trickle charger?

In my old BMW I could simply plug it into the accessory socket and it would get to work.
However, on the Civic, with the key out the accessory socket in the boot is not powered.

So, could someone tell me, or point me in the right direction, as how to get one fitted directly to the battery or modify the accessory socket wiring. Which ever is easier of course!

Another thing.... Any recomendations on solar trickle chargers???

Thanks

still can't decide whick sticker to get!!!

padster · 11th September 2012, 13:11

Does the one in the boot stay powered with no key in the ignition?

EDIT: Ignore me - just read your post properly

ArcherK83 · 11th September 2012, 14:03

well, saying that I'm just going by what people have put on here:- That the accessory sockets lose power when the key is out.

I haven't got my car with me to check as I'm away with work..

bacardi84uk · 11th September 2012, 14:28

I can confirm neither of the 12v sockets work with the key out of the ignition. Tried to use my compressor to pump up a tyre without and it was dead :P

ArcherK83 · 11th September 2012, 14:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by bacardi84uk

I can confirm neither of the 12v sockets work with the key out of the ignition. Tried to use my compressor to pump up a tyre without and it was dead :P

Ah thanks for confirming that.

So the question is still out there:-

Where and how do I fit a solar trickle charger directly to the battery or modify the accessory socket wiring. Which ever is easier of course!

Thanks

WreckerL · 11th September 2012, 16:28

The empty socket connection in the top left of the internal fuse panel has permanent live connections. You can connect with a miniature female spade connector. Bog re-posted the picture and instructions a while ago.

ArcherK83 · 11th September 2012, 16:42

Thanks for that. I'll see if I can track it down and send Bog a PM

J_H · 11th September 2012, 22:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArcherK83

Thanks for that. I'll see if I can track it down and send Bog a PM

I'd be keen to see how you get on, keep us updated.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

Bog · 12th September 2012, 08:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by WreckerL

The empty socket connection in the top left of the internal fuse panel has permanent live connections. You can connect with a miniature female spade connector. Bog re-posted the picture and instructions a while ago.

How to use tap into the fuse box (Option Connector)

Check post #4... SYX found out what the other pins do. It seem that bottom left is +12V constant

ArcherK83 · 12th September 2012, 11:18

Thats great.

Got it figured out. Going to run a new accessory socket to the boot from the 12v constant on the glove box fuse board.

Then all I'll need to do is plug in the solar trickle charger and leave it do its thing on the parcel shelf when I'm away.

When I get round to doing it I'll maybe write up a DIY post

Just need to decide on what trickle charger to get.

Thanks for all the help

Syx · 12th September 2012, 12:34

Is this necessary though? I've left my car when I've been on holiday before and never had any trouble with it starting when I return...

ArcherK83 · 12th September 2012, 13:44

Well having read all the posts on hear regarding the battery going flat (mainly with the EX models due to all the gadgets), thought it would be a good idea to keep the battery topped up when I'm away.?!

I'm in the Air Force and the car is left all week on station. I get sent away quite alot too and the last thing I want is to come home and be unable to start the car due to a flat battery!

Better safe thank sorry. It wont cost much to do and could save a load of hasstle!

Grayfox · 12th September 2012, 14:15

The car battery should not get drained.

The most it should ever draw when the car is locked(this apply's to 97% of cars) is 30mA.

ArcherK83 · 12th September 2012, 14:47

Well like I said it's peace of mind and I don't want to be the unlucky 3% or like quite a few people on here, have any problems with the battery losing current.

Thanks

Grayfox · 12th September 2012, 23:41

Only when they have an issue of some sort.
like the alarm draining power cause its backup onboard batties are dead.

And that other 3% of cars that draw more than 30mA are cars like BMW and what not.

Syx · 12th September 2012, 23:52

For peace of mind though it's not a difficult thing to do.

And don't forget some of the older models have the ECU problem where the drain on the battery is high.

Bog · 13th September 2012, 08:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grayfox

Only when they have an issue of some sort.
like the alarm draining power cause its backup onboard batties are dead.

And that other 3% of cars that draw more than 30mA are cars like BMW and what not.

From the wiki...

Quote:

The car, when switched off, should send its electronics into "sleep mode". This happens after about 40 seconds and is controlled by the MICU. The current from the battery should be measured - initally it should be about 0.3A, and then after 40 seconds should drop to about 0.02A. If it does not drop, then there is a fault with the MICU (fuse box).
On cars with HFT, it can take up to 15 minutes to go into sleep mode. With the multiplex asleep and the HFT awake, then the current will be about 0.2A.

My 2009 1.8 EX-GT never had issues starting after 1-2 weeks of not being used (Never left it longer) even with it's pants OEM battery... The only problem was if you left the interior light on over night or used the radio for more than 15 mins it would lower the charge enough for it not to crank, but this was solved when it finally died and I bought a bosch S4021

Brilliant battery.. quick start and able to hold charge for ages. Had the radio on (inc. sat nav to watch video for over an hour!

npg1 · 18th September 2012, 13:42

i might be able to help here !

i have 400w of solar on my motorhome and they generate up to 22a an hour but at the very time you need extra electricity on cold dark winter days - they generate next to nothing.....

your plug in 10w solar panel will generate 40 times less and wont make a jot of differance other than to your wallet !

RosscoMac · 18th September 2012, 14:01

I know you're doing it anyway for peace of mind which is cool, but just to let you know I've left mine for up to 3 weeks on a few occasions with no problem at all and even for 6 weeks once and it started a dream first time!

J. Derek Riddell · 18th September 2012, 15:15

I've left my 1.8 in an exposed hospital car park, in winter (-15C to -20C) for 3 weeks, on the OEM battery - after removing about four inches of iceanf frozen snow, it started first time

I now have a Bosch 4021, which holds a chare better still

Forget the solar charger - getthe Bosch

11th September 2012, 09:46	#1 (permalink)
ArcherK83 Supporter Car: 2009 EX GT 2.2 i-CDTI Join Date: 1st September 2012 Location: Neath, South Wales Posts: 39 Thanks given: 15 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader: (0)	Solar trickle charger. Best place to install? Hi everyone. I often leave my car for a week or two at a time whilst I'm away with work. Could someone give me some advice on a solar trickle charger? In my old BMW I could simply plug it into the accessory socket and it would get to work. However, on the Civic, with the key out the accessory socket in the boot is not powered. So, could someone tell me, or point me in the right direction, as how to get one fitted directly to the battery or modify the accessory socket wiring. Which ever is easier of course! Another thing.... Any recomendations on solar trickle chargers??? Thanks still can't decide whick sticker to get!!!

11th September 2012, 13:11	#2 (permalink)
padster Supporter Car: 56 1.8 I-VTEC SE Join Date: 29th December 2011 Location: Scotland Posts: 246 Thanks given: 22 Thanked 19 Times in 19 Posts iTrader: (4)	Does the one in the boot stay powered with no key in the ignition? EDIT: Ignore me - just read your post properly Last edited by padster; 11th September 2012 at 13:15.

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11th September 2012, 14:03	#3 (permalink)
ArcherK83 Supporter Thread starter Car: 2009 EX GT 2.2 i-CDTI Join Date: 1st September 2012 Location: Neath, South Wales Posts: 39 Thanks given: 15 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader: (0)	well, saying that I'm just going by what people have put on here:- That the accessory sockets lose power when the key is out. I haven't got my car with me to check as I'm away with work..

11th September 2012, 14:28	#4 (permalink)
bacardi84uk Supporter Car: 2008 2.2 CTS-GT, NHB Join Date: 10th January 2012 Location: Sheffield, UK Posts: 289 Thanks given: 3 Thanked 39 Times in 34 Posts iTrader: (1)	I can confirm neither of the 12v sockets work with the key out of the ignition. Tried to use my compressor to pump up a tyre without and it was dead :P

11th September 2012, 16:28	#6 (permalink)
WreckerL Supporter Car: 56 2.2 EX 18" Storms Join Date: 15th March 2010 Location: Bittaford, UK Posts: 77 Thanks given: 9 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts iTrader: (2)	The empty socket connection in the top left of the internal fuse panel has permanent live connections. You can connect with a miniature female spade connector. Bog re-posted the picture and instructions a while ago.

11th September 2012, 16:42	#7 (permalink)
ArcherK83 Supporter Thread starter Car: 2009 EX GT 2.2 i-CDTI Join Date: 1st September 2012 Location: Neath, South Wales Posts: 39 Thanks given: 15 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader: (0)	Thanks for that. I'll see if I can track it down and send Bog a PM

12th September 2012, 11:18	#10 (permalink)
ArcherK83 Supporter Thread starter Car: 2009 EX GT 2.2 i-CDTI Join Date: 1st September 2012 Location: Neath, South Wales Posts: 39 Thanks given: 15 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader: (0)	Thats great. Got it figured out. Going to run a new accessory socket to the boot from the 12v constant on the glove box fuse board. Then all I'll need to do is plug in the solar trickle charger and leave it do its thing on the parcel shelf when I'm away. When I get round to doing it I'll maybe write up a DIY post Just need to decide on what trickle charger to get. Thanks for all the help

12th September 2012, 12:34	#11 (permalink)
Syx Clingfilmed Car: 2008 2.2 CTS GT Join Date: 22nd December 2009 Location: Luton, UK Posts: 9,001 Thanks given: 827 Thanked 1,618 Times in 1,417 Posts iTrader: (37)	Is this necessary though? I've left my car when I've been on holiday before and never had any trouble with it starting when I return...

12th September 2012, 13:44	#12 (permalink)
ArcherK83 Supporter Thread starter Car: 2009 EX GT 2.2 i-CDTI Join Date: 1st September 2012 Location: Neath, South Wales Posts: 39 Thanks given: 15 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader: (0)	Well having read all the posts on hear regarding the battery going flat (mainly with the EX models due to all the gadgets), thought it would be a good idea to keep the battery topped up when I'm away.?! I'm in the Air Force and the car is left all week on station. I get sent away quite alot too and the last thing I want is to come home and be unable to start the car due to a flat battery! Better safe thank sorry. It wont cost much to do and could save a load of hasstle!

12th September 2012, 14:15	#13 (permalink)
Grayfox Most Active Australian Car: 2010 Black Civic Si FK2 Join Date: 1st February 2012 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 2,981 Thanks given: 67 Thanked 273 Times in 258 Posts iTrader: (0)	The car battery should not get drained. The most it should ever draw when the car is locked(this apply's to 97% of cars) is 30mA.

12th September 2012, 14:47	#14 (permalink)
ArcherK83 Supporter Thread starter Car: 2009 EX GT 2.2 i-CDTI Join Date: 1st September 2012 Location: Neath, South Wales Posts: 39 Thanks given: 15 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader: (0)	Well like I said it's peace of mind and I don't want to be the unlucky 3% or like quite a few people on here, have any problems with the battery losing current. Thanks

12th September 2012, 23:41	#15 (permalink)
Grayfox Most Active Australian Car: 2010 Black Civic Si FK2 Join Date: 1st February 2012 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 2,981 Thanks given: 67 Thanked 273 Times in 258 Posts iTrader: (0)	Only when they have an issue of some sort. like the alarm draining power cause its backup onboard batties are dead. And that other 3% of cars that draw more than 30mA are cars like BMW and what not.

12th September 2012, 23:52	#16 (permalink)
Syx Clingfilmed Car: 2008 2.2 CTS GT Join Date: 22nd December 2009 Location: Luton, UK Posts: 9,001 Thanks given: 827 Thanked 1,618 Times in 1,417 Posts iTrader: (37)	For peace of mind though it's not a difficult thing to do. And don't forget some of the older models have the ECU problem where the drain on the battery is high.

18th September 2012, 13:42	#18 (permalink)
npg1 Join Date: 17th September 2012 Location: uk Posts: 202 Thanks given: 34 Thanked 15 Times in 14 Posts iTrader: (0)	i might be able to help here ! i have 400w of solar on my motorhome and they generate up to 22a an hour but at the very time you need extra electricity on cold dark winter days - they generate next to nothing..... your plug in 10w solar panel will generate 40 times less and wont make a jot of differance other than to your wallet !

18th September 2012, 14:01	#19 (permalink)
RosscoMac I'm going fast again! Car: 2007 NHB Type-R GT Join Date: 14th February 2012 Location: Glasgow Posts: 815 Thanks given: 135 Thanked 91 Times in 88 Posts iTrader: (3)	I know you're doing it anyway for peace of mind which is cool, but just to let you know I've left mine for up to 3 weeks on a few occasions with no problem at all and even for 6 weeks once and it started a dream first time!

18th September 2012, 15:15	#20 (permalink)
J. Derek Riddell [ Laird Mac Nac Feegle ] Car: 2007 1.8 'Executive' (EX) Join Date: 8th November 2007 Location: Isle of Hundvåg, Stavanger, Norway Posts: 9,232 Thanks given: 297 Thanked 1,093 Times in 823 Posts iTrader: (5)	I've left my 1.8 in an exposed hospital car park, in winter (-15C to -20C) for 3 weeks, on the OEM battery - after removing about four inches of iceanf frozen snow, it started first time I now have a Bosch 4021, which holds a chare better still Forget the solar charger - getthe Bosch