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Old 06 January 2017, 12:24 PM
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ted bass
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Default AA solar powered battery charger?

Hi all, got one these as its that time of yr again, the joys of battery drain! and was worth a punt at 20 quid, it has the option of plugging into the OBD port but does anyone know if this will work on a newage/haweye? cheers
Old 25 January 2017, 11:45 AM
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porkster0
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Default AA solar panel top up charger

HI Just got the same AA solar panel top up charger with the OBD connector and was wondering the same before I plug it and possibly damage blow something vital on the electrical side !!


Any comment from user would be appreciated


Regards
Ian
Old 25 January 2017, 12:35 PM
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ZANY
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hope it works no more taking battery off, setting stereo up then the clock! although I only drive mine every other month
Old 25 January 2017, 06:51 PM
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ted bass
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Still not used mine coz waiting for some helpful feedback on this charger
Old 10 February 2017, 12:04 PM
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digitaria
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I have just connected one of these, it doesn't seem to have done any harm. Will report back if anything unusual happens.

I bought the solar charger after I got back to Luton airport on Sunday to find my 04 WRX with a completely flat battery. The battery was brand new and had been charged up, just before taking it to the airport, where it sat for 19 days.

I have to go away again shortly - we'll take my wife's car and leave the Scoob at home with the solar charger connected - this should be a reasonable test. I'll report results!
Old 10 February 2017, 12:09 PM
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porkster0
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Hi Digitaria


I am about to test mine too from this weekend !


Did you connect yours through the OBD port ?


Regards
ian
Old 10 February 2017, 12:13 PM
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digitaria
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Yes, through the OBD. It's the main selling feature of this charger, cos the OBD is "always on".

Don't think there's any way to confirm that it has made a good connection but it seems OK.
Old 10 February 2017, 01:58 PM
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ted bass
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Yeah m8 let us know how it preforms coz i aint took mine outta t box yet lol
Old 06 March 2017, 11:38 AM
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digitaria
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Originally Posted by digitaria
I bought the solar charger after I got back to Luton airport on Sunday to find my 04 WRX with a completely flat battery. The battery was brand new and had been charged up, just before taking it to the airport, where it sat for 19 days.

I have to go away again shortly - we'll take my wife's car and leave the Scoob at home with the solar charger connected - this should be a reasonable test. I'll report results!
OK, so here are the results from the Hertfordshire jury...

The Subaru was parked in my driveway for 20 days with the solar charger attached to the OBD socket. The battery had been charged with a CTEK smart charger the day before I departed and the voltage tested at 12.41V (seems a little low for a just-charged battery).

On my return, I tested the battery again before trying to start the car - 11.88V.

The car started without hesitation.

So a cautious for the AA solar charger. 19 days at Luton airport = totally flat battery, 20 days at home with solar charger, car starts OK.

It is possible that Luton airport parking is a more exposed and hostile environment for Subarus and it was quite cold while it was parked there, but the results seem positive.
Old 06 March 2017, 01:53 PM
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ZANY
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Think I'm gonna stick to my handy 10mm ratchet spanner to take the terminals off instead I've been doing it for the past 8years

But good news nevertheless
Old 06 March 2017, 02:28 PM
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I was thinking about getting one of them tiny boost car starters you see on eBay lately as I've gone to car in past and battery flat because of less use. Seems a good option for me, can't be bothered taking battery off etc.
Old 06 March 2017, 03:09 PM
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Hi Zany
I thought about disconnecting the terminals when not in use


Whats the longest you have left it with the terminals off ?


apart from loosing some radio setting any other issue with long term disconnection ! like ecu , odometer etc.


Regards
Ian
Old 06 March 2017, 03:20 PM
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ZANY
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Originally Posted by porkster0
Hi Zany
I thought about disconnecting the terminals when not in use


Whats the longest you have left it with the terminals off ?


apart from loosing some radio setting any other issue with long term disconnection ! like ecu , odometer etc.


Regards
Ian
Longest I've had the battery off is about 3/4 months maybe longer sometimes if kids are in hospital never had an issue with ecu immobiliser on my last one or this one ever and the ratchet spanner makes it a doddle 10sec job




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