Does the solar panel stay inside the car? If so, how do you attach to the batteries? The car may not be used for a few months at a time.
1678904
I have only used this product for my marine batteries on a per need basis. Not sure about the application you ask about. However, thinking about this, I don't think the panel inside the car is an option. I suppose you could attach the panel from under the car or under the hood, but the panel will have have to be exposed to the elements in some manner.
1678905
I'm using it in my sailing boat and it's always attached. But you must use a charge controller.
1678906
I boight one for my trailer so its,on the outside..if your using for a car it comes with battery clips just like jumper cables you would attach and leave the panel outside the car and remove when you were going to drive it. Hope this helps
1087844
Yes. Normally the battery can last about 2 years or more. The battery is inside the solar panel, need release the several screws.
1663333
The solar panel is the only way for it to work. The solar panel is the only way to charge the batteries. You plug it in and leave it alone.
1783341
There are no batteries in this. This is designed with just solar panels and a USB cable for "live" energy. I suppose you could engineer something with batteries that would hold a charge for you, but this will not store energy, just absorb and pass along. If you plug in your phone on a sunny day, it will charge your phone as long as it stays sunny.
1354778
You can use it while charging. Though the panels will not keep up with typical use, it will extend your time before battery depletion. The best part is, you can also charge from you house or vehicle and give yourself a full charge starting point before use. We have used ours very little, but it is well made, and all the features seem to work without flaw.
2068723
It should be on all the time, it is solar so the sun will just keep it all charged up if you have it in the sun. I am not sure where the batteries are located, I think in the top of it.
682312
There is an "On" setting. If the Solar Panel is in direct sunlight then I'd assume that the light would stay on for quite a while.
541423
This specific panel is a piece of crap. Don't buy it. Their bigger panels, though, put out 12 volts. If hooked up straight to your device, it will charge as long as there is sun. If the sun weakens, it will stop charging. If the sun returns, it will start charging. If it is hooked up into a battery that can both receive a charge and send a charge simultaneously, then the behaviour if the same as above. If not, it will act erratically and you'll only be able to charge the battery or the phone, but not both.
1880646
I have used this setup specifically for camping. Get a plastic 12 volt battery case (easier to transport and keep together) Make sure to have a charge controller so you don't damage the battery and/or solar panel. I use the 12 volt connectors like you would use in the car cigarette lighter socket. You can purchase extensions with male/female ends at an auto parts store and this makes for quick connect/disconnect. You will have to solder or splice cap these onto the wires coming off the charge controller. I have everything together in one setup that I can carry around with the solar panel. Takes about 3 sunny days to fully charge a 12 volt 35 amp battery. I have used this setup specifically for camping. Get a plastic 12 volt battery case (easier to transport and keep together) Make sure to have a charge controller so you don't damage the battery and/or solar panel. I use the 12 volt connectors like you would use in the car cigarette lighter socket. You can purchase extensions with male/female ends at an auto parts store and this makes for quick connect/disconnect. You will have to solder or splice cap these onto the wires coming off the charge controller. I have everything together in one setup that I can carry around with the solar panel.... » Read More I have used this setup specifically for camping. Get a plastic 12 volt battery case (easier to transport and keep together) Make sure to have a charge controller so you don't damage the battery and/or solar panel. I use the 12 volt connectors like you would use in the car cigarette lighter socket. You can purchase extensions with male/female ends at an auto parts store and this makes for quick connect/disconnect. You will have to solder or splice cap these onto the wires coming off the charge controller. I have everything together in one setup that I can carry around with the solar panel. Takes about 3 sunny days to fully charge a 12 volt 35 amp battery. « Show Less
2100843
I have had a small solar panel on the rear shelf of my 02 honda accord for 8 years now. I wired it to the door switch that controls the dome light. My battery is 8.5 years old and tests like new. I bought the panel at harbor freight.
1880647
There are a couple methods that will work. The first is to attach battery clips to the panel cord, then when needed clip onto the battery. This is simple but you always need to make sure the polarity is correct and when not attached it would be good to not let the clips touch so the panel isn't shorted. Another method would be to purchase a mating set of 2 pin flat connectors. These are similar to the 4 pin connectors used to connect a trailer to a car. Connect one to the battery (best if the exposed pin is connected to minus). Connect the other to the panel (exposed pin connected to plus). Now you just have to mate the connector and there is no chance of a short. Regards
254182
It might be best buying a decent sized solar panel/charger for your car and then running the Maha off an inverter plugged into the car. That way you can run other things off the A/C inverter (as well as keeping your car charged too in a disaster scenario).
2240604
As it does not have an internal battery, it will loose memory when disconnected from the mail battery. I use 12V systems and exchange the sealed lead acid about every 3 or 4 months for the units that are in constant shade. For the units in even partial sun, the solar panel will keep them charged.
1458371
I can't recommend it at this point. I installed one two months ago (and the installation was relatively easy), but last week the car started acting up electronically again (had to jump it off a couple of times, strange beeps after turning it off, ...). So this time we took it to the local dealer, their diagnostics said the battery was bad, they replaced it, and so far we haven't had any more problems. Stay tuned though, because it wouldn't surprise me if somehow the recharge circuitry is screwed up, and this hasn't been a 12 volt battery issue after all.
1783342
The panels do not hold a charge themselves. You can charge directly from the panels or connect an external battery (not included) and charge that as your future power source.
2006833
If you use a battery tender to maintain your batteries when not in use, then I would imagine you have the pig tail attached. Just plug into the pig tail. However if you are not charging the big battery in some way it will draw it down. My opinion, if you camp a lot, invest in a good quality solar charger.
1389240
No...It has to be direct sunlight. Also, the solar charger takes a long time to recharge the battery. I basically just used it as a secondary battery and charged it from the wall socket the night before. I think the solar charger would only help if you had several days to charge it. I left it on my dash once for a week and it barely charged half way.