Trickle charge through 12V socket

[uk_friendly_fire]

Anyone know if you can trickle charge the battery through a 12V socket?

[Tree]

I doubt it as it turns off when the keys are removed from the ignition

[pluggit1]

No. Its not a direct path thru to the battery. The ECU and associated switch-gear wont allow bi-directional current flow...and ..the above

[uk_friendly_fire]

Thanks for your replies. I was wondering if the sockets might be switched off.

The reason I'm asking is that I want to put a solar panel inside the car below the modutop roof to help the battery charge whilst I'm away caravanning or not using the car over a few days. The solar panel will be safe there and out of the elements.

So I need a quick and simple connection to the battery so the wife's patience doesn't get strained with me messing about under the bonnet etc. every time she's in a hurry to drive off.

Can I charge through the diagnostic socket it I can find it or is there a better solution?

[theraginganarchist]

I agree with the above, If you want to use any of the commonly available solar trickle chargers without plugging it straight onto the battery each time you are going to have to run a cable from the engine bay into the car's interior.

Another thing you need to consider is if your module top glass is tinted/has UV filtering, I would imagine on newer glass it has, and if so, this is going to filter out the useable energy a solar panel is able to capture.

Having played with a few solar panels I've found that even clear domestic window glass has a detrimental effect on energy production.

The drain on car battery as new as yours when it is not being used really shouldn't be enough to deplete it to any great extent, even over a few months.

If you are having issues you need to look at why it is draining rather then treating the symptoms

[uk_friendly_fire]

I agree with the above, If you want to use any of the commonly available solar trickle chargers without plugging it straight onto the battery each time you are going to have to run a cable from the engine bay into the car's interior.

Another thing you need to consider is if your module top glass is tinted/has UV filtering, I would imagine on newer glass it has, and if so, this is going to filter out the useable energy a solar panel is able to capture.

Having played with a few solar panels I've found that even clear domestic window glass has a detrimental effect on energy production.

The drain on car battery as new as yours when it is not being used really shouldn't be enough to deplete it to any great extent, even over a few months.

If you are having issues you need to look at why it is draining rather then treating the symptoms

That's interesting I had no idea that filtered light would effect the efficiency of a panel, I just thought the intensity was key. Thanks for that

[Mike]

How long are you going to be leaving it for that you'd need to charge it?

[uk_friendly_fire]

How long are you going to be leaving it for that you'd need to charge it?

[Mike]

How long are you going to be leaving it for that you'd need to charge it?

[uk_friendly_fire]

I'm concerned that the battery capacity is small at 65Ah. So when on a day's towing with the caravan attached, the refrigerator will drain the battery somewhat. Hence the need to keep it topped up as much as possible. Could be on site for a 7 day stretch. Just don't know enough about this car yet