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| The Pub For General Automotive Related Talk |
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14-06-2013, 03:10 PM
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Call me dirt... Joe Dirt
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Back in Perth for good
Posts: 5,302
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This morning I woke up feeling a bit green.
Does anyone have any experience with solar powered battery trickle-chargers? Are they available in complete kits? I have my car hooked up to a trickle charger for months at a time. Cheers.
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2007 BFII FPV Cobra Ute|Boss 302|6M|#23/100 Mods so far: Billet Products Shifter|X-Force Exhaust|Herrod Oil Breathers|Whiteline Sway Bar|Tein SuperStreets|Kings FOR-303SL Rear Springs|Melling Oil Pump|Mace Manifold Spacers|Powerbond Underdrives|Pacemaker Headers|Ballistic Cats|XFT Custom Tune @ 308.3rwkw|DBA T3 Rotors|Ferodo Pads|Goodridge Braided Lines Mods to come: 4.11 Diff Gears|Chromoly Tailshaft I use & recommend: Castrol|Motorcraft|Mainlube|Penrite Check Out My Build Thread |
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14-06-2013, 03:44 PM
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VFII SS UTE
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Central Coast
Posts: 6,353
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Quote:
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I don't often hear the sound of a screaming LSX. But when I do, So do the neighbours.. GO SOUTHS
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14-06-2013, 04:36 PM
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Pity the fool
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Wait Awhile
Posts: 8,997
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Supercheap sell them. 10w about $150 I think. I've got an older 5w one with an in built regulator, one of the best things I have bought.
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Fords I own or have owned: 1970 XW Falcon GT replica  | 1970 XW Falcon | 1971 XY Fairmont | 1973 ZG Fairlane | 1986 XF Falcon panel van | 1987 XFII Falcon S-Pack | 1988 XF Falcon GLS ute | 1993 EBII Fairmont V8 | 1996 XG Falcon ute | 2000 AU Falcon wagon | 2004 BA Falcon XT | 2012 SZ Territory Titanium AWDProud to buy Australian and support Ford Australia through thick and thin |
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14-06-2013, 04:42 PM
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Performance Inc.
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: In a cave
Posts: 2,554
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Used a lot in the marine industry for moored yachts should be able to get them at BCF and similar places.
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In The Garage...  FPV Super Pursuit Build no 0080/91 Lotus Exige S/C S240 Kart Hasse Chassis 100J Power Quote:
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14-06-2013, 05:15 PM
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Call me dirt... Joe Dirt
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Back in Perth for good
Posts: 5,302
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Do these solar-powered chargers need to be backed up by mains power?
__________________
2007 BFII FPV Cobra Ute|Boss 302|6M|#23/100 Mods so far: Billet Products Shifter|X-Force Exhaust|Herrod Oil Breathers|Whiteline Sway Bar|Tein SuperStreets|Kings FOR-303SL Rear Springs|Melling Oil Pump|Mace Manifold Spacers|Powerbond Underdrives|Pacemaker Headers|Ballistic Cats|XFT Custom Tune @ 308.3rwkw|DBA T3 Rotors|Ferodo Pads|Goodridge Braided Lines Mods to come: 4.11 Diff Gears|Chromoly Tailshaft I use & recommend: Castrol|Motorcraft|Mainlube|Penrite Check Out My Build Thread |
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14-06-2013, 05:22 PM
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#6 | ||
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Boss 335
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,330
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Was skeptical of solar power until I got hold of a 250w solar panel. $250 off eBay, and the power it put out when in the open sun was phenomenal. It would create some stupidly powerful green sparks that would jump over a 1cm gap and melt copper wire like wax.Had enough current to make a Falcon HVAC motor spin like a turbocharger. They certainly have come a long way since the 90s where a decent size panel couldn't even make a spark, spin a toy motor with any force, let alone charge a AA battery.
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14-06-2013, 05:28 PM
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VFII SS UTE
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Central Coast
Posts: 6,353
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Quote:
the power they generate threw the day will cover over night. unless your battery is fubar or run the stereo at night.
__________________
I don't often hear the sound of a screaming LSX. But when I do, So do the neighbours.. GO SOUTHS
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14-06-2013, 06:19 PM
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#8 | ||
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Call me dirt... Joe Dirt
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Back in Perth for good
Posts: 5,302
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Cool, thanks, i'm gonna get my hands on one of these kits.
__________________
2007 BFII FPV Cobra Ute|Boss 302|6M|#23/100 Mods so far: Billet Products Shifter|X-Force Exhaust|Herrod Oil Breathers|Whiteline Sway Bar|Tein SuperStreets|Kings FOR-303SL Rear Springs|Melling Oil Pump|Mace Manifold Spacers|Powerbond Underdrives|Pacemaker Headers|Ballistic Cats|XFT Custom Tune @ 308.3rwkw|DBA T3 Rotors|Ferodo Pads|Goodridge Braided Lines Mods to come: 4.11 Diff Gears|Chromoly Tailshaft I use & recommend: Castrol|Motorcraft|Mainlube|Penrite Check Out My Build Thread |
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14-06-2013, 06:23 PM
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#9 | ||
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Performance moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: St Clair..N.S.W
Posts: 14,875
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Make sure the larger panels have a solar controller..
Or you'll overheat battery.. Yep solar panels have come along way..
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Real cars are not driven by front wheels,real cars lift them!!... BABYS ARE BOTTLE FED, REAL MEN GET BLOWN. Don't be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the Ark...Professionals built the Titanic! Dart 330ci block turbo black pearl EBXR8 482 rwkw.. Daily driver GTE FG.. Projects http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=107711 http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...8+turbo&page=4 |
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14-06-2013, 07:25 PM
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#10 | ||
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Pity the fool
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Wait Awhile
Posts: 8,997
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The Supercheap one has a built in regulator...a basic one, but it's there. We don't want all your electrolyte boiling off now do we...
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Fords I own or have owned: 1970 XW Falcon GT replica | 1970 XW Falcon | 1971 XY Fairmont | 1973 ZG Fairlane | 1986 XF Falcon panel van | 1987 XFII Falcon S-Pack | 1988 XF Falcon GLS ute | 1993 EBII Fairmont V8 | 1996 XG Falcon ute | 2000 AU Falcon wagon | 2004 BA Falcon XT | 2012 SZ Territory Titanium AWDProud to buy Australian and support Ford Australia through thick and thin |
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14-06-2013, 07:37 PM
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The one and only
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Carrum Downs, Victoria
Posts: 9,053
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I have two.
Neither have charged a battery enough to start a car.
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1992 DC LTDHO 360rwkw built by me Tuned by CVE Performance Going of the rails on a crazy train Other cars include Dynamic ED Sprint, Dynamic DL LTD, Sparkling Burgundy DL LTD, Yellow, Red & Blue XB sedan & Black XB Coupe
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14-06-2013, 08:06 PM
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: NSW
Posts: 551
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Quote:
Instead of charging a flat battery, they keep it topped up if the car/bike/boat etc is left sitting for extended periods of time.
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Current Viper 2010 50th Anniversary XR6T Stock, but for how long... Previous White 2003 Fairmont Ghia First- RIP. White 1990 Ford Fairmont Exhaust, intake, cam & lowered. |
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14-06-2013, 08:24 PM
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#13 | ||
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Call me dirt... Joe Dirt
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Back in Perth for good
Posts: 5,302
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Yeah, just want it to keep the car battery topped up while I'm away. The trick is to not let it go flat at all.
I'll check our Supercheap when I'm home next.
__________________
2007 BFII FPV Cobra Ute|Boss 302|6M|#23/100 Mods so far: Billet Products Shifter|X-Force Exhaust|Herrod Oil Breathers|Whiteline Sway Bar|Tein SuperStreets|Kings FOR-303SL Rear Springs|Melling Oil Pump|Mace Manifold Spacers|Powerbond Underdrives|Pacemaker Headers|Ballistic Cats|XFT Custom Tune @ 308.3rwkw|DBA T3 Rotors|Ferodo Pads|Goodridge Braided Lines Mods to come: 4.11 Diff Gears|Chromoly Tailshaft I use & recommend: Castrol|Motorcraft|Mainlube|Penrite Check Out My Build Thread |
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14-06-2013, 08:30 PM
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#14 | ||
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Call me dirt... Joe Dirt
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Back in Perth for good
Posts: 5,302
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Just checked it out online; the Supercheap 3.6W solar charger is only $40... That's pretty good alright.
But these only charge when its sunny? Does it store power somehow to also keep charging overnight?
__________________
2007 BFII FPV Cobra Ute|Boss 302|6M|#23/100 Mods so far: Billet Products Shifter|X-Force Exhaust|Herrod Oil Breathers|Whiteline Sway Bar|Tein SuperStreets|Kings FOR-303SL Rear Springs|Melling Oil Pump|Mace Manifold Spacers|Powerbond Underdrives|Pacemaker Headers|Ballistic Cats|XFT Custom Tune @ 308.3rwkw|DBA T3 Rotors|Ferodo Pads|Goodridge Braided Lines Mods to come: 4.11 Diff Gears|Chromoly Tailshaft I use & recommend: Castrol|Motorcraft|Mainlube|Penrite Check Out My Build Thread |
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14-06-2013, 09:20 PM
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#15 | |||
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VFII SS UTE
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Central Coast
Posts: 6,353
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Quote:
but the power output must exceed the nightly output. otherwise its totally pointless... and this doesn't matter if solar or mains setup!
__________________
I don't often hear the sound of a screaming LSX. But when I do, So do the neighbours.. GO SOUTHS
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14-06-2013, 09:25 PM
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#16 | ||
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Regular Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 241
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i used a supercheap one for a couple of years on my boat, just sat it on the roof and forgot about it, worked a treat
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14-06-2013, 09:57 PM
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#17 | |||
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Call me dirt... Joe Dirt
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Back in Perth for good
Posts: 5,302
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Quote:
What size should I get? 10W? Or is the 3.6W one sufficient?
__________________
2007 BFII FPV Cobra Ute|Boss 302|6M|#23/100 Mods so far: Billet Products Shifter|X-Force Exhaust|Herrod Oil Breathers|Whiteline Sway Bar|Tein SuperStreets|Kings FOR-303SL Rear Springs|Melling Oil Pump|Mace Manifold Spacers|Powerbond Underdrives|Pacemaker Headers|Ballistic Cats|XFT Custom Tune @ 308.3rwkw|DBA T3 Rotors|Ferodo Pads|Goodridge Braided Lines Mods to come: 4.11 Diff Gears|Chromoly Tailshaft I use & recommend: Castrol|Motorcraft|Mainlube|Penrite Check Out My Build Thread |
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14-06-2013, 09:57 PM
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#18 | |||
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Pity the fool
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Wait Awhile
Posts: 8,997
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Quote:
Mine is always plugged into my ute when I'm not using it. Keeps the battery topped up quite well if it is exposed to sun regularly. One thing I did do is chopped off the ****** cigarette lighter plug that was on it and made my own battery charging pigtail that is permanently attached to the battery, and then fitted some Narva 2 pin plugs so I don't have to lif the bonnet and dick around with fitting clamps every time I want to connect it.
__________________
Fords I own or have owned: 1970 XW Falcon GT replica | 1970 XW Falcon | 1971 XY Fairmont | 1973 ZG Fairlane | 1986 XF Falcon panel van | 1987 XFII Falcon S-Pack | 1988 XF Falcon GLS ute | 1993 EBII Fairmont V8 | 1996 XG Falcon ute | 2000 AU Falcon wagon | 2004 BA Falcon XT | 2012 SZ Territory Titanium AWDProud to buy Australian and support Ford Australia through thick and thin |
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15-06-2013, 12:38 AM
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#19 | |||
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Regular Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 138
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Quote:
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15-06-2013, 12:02 PM
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#20 | ||
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Melb north
Posts: 12,025
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From most of the car accessorie places about $20.00 buks will get you a 5 or 10 watt solar trickle charger already built, i had a 5 watter keeping the battery topped up in one of our fleet for a couple of years, it worked pretty well for me, probably the only thing i would have liked for it was alligator clips as well as the ciggy lighter connection, as some ciggy lighters are not active without accessorie or ignition on, but its a small chore to fit a couple of aligator clips on if they dont come standard.
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15-06-2013, 01:40 PM
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#21 | ||
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 905
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I use the smaller Supercheap unit on my boat . It trickles the battery whilst I'm using the fishfinder/GPS , so it doesn't drain the battery down .
Never let me down . Keeps voltages where they need be
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1998 AU VCT Ghia - Stock as a rock - Wifes car 1991 Toyota Soarer TT - 11.72 @ 116.7mph 2004 Ford Escape XLT V6 - Family Ride . |
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15-06-2013, 02:20 PM
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#22 | ||
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Barossa Valley, South Australia
Posts: 3,381
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I've been using one on my XE that I have in the shed. It's used to keep the battery topped up, not to charge it up. Works a treat.
Check out eBay for cheaper ones. That's where I got mine from.
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Cheers, Sam. |
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17-06-2013, 11:23 AM
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#23 | ||
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,848
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if there was one with a simple inductive charger that would be perfect for me.
Park and forget ! |
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17-06-2013, 08:02 PM
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#24 | ||
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,030
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These solar trickle chargers are definitely worth it if you are not doing the kilometres to keep the battery charged. I once had a clapped out Celica that I use to drive down to the train station and back. I was always having problems with running out of battery, and having to give it a boost charge. Then I put a solar trickle charger in, with the solar cells double sided taped to the rear window. It looked as daggy as, but I didn’t care. When it was down at the train station, I parked it away from trees, with the rear window facing the afternoon sub. It worked a treat and didn’t have any further battery problems again.
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Solar Powered Car Battery Trickle-Charger
Linear Mode
