Solar Powered Car Battery Trickle Charger?

[WAWoody]

Hi,

After some advice please.

I work away several weeks at a time and my wife has just told me that she went to start the Discovery and the battery was completely flat. Even the central locking didn't work.

Luckily a neighbor was around and jumped started it for her.

My question is will some thing like this (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Solar-Powered-Car-Auto-Boat-Motorcycle-12V-Battery-Maintainer-Trickle-Charger-Y-/201436046963?hash=item2ee6862673:g:vScAAOSwFnFWA45 7) maintain the battery whilst I'm away?

I'm also curious as to how it will charge the battery through the cigarette lighter?

Edit:

Or would this (http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/SCA-Solar-Maintenance-Charger-4-Watt.aspx?pid=340106#Recommendations) be a better option?

Thanks

[drivesafe]

Hi Andy, you can safely connect up to a 10w solar panel directly to your battery, without the need of a regulator.

A 5w panel will easily charge and maintain your battery, and the way solar work, on during the day and off at night, is the best way to charge, maintain and condition your battery, while you are away.

[WAWoody]

Thanks for that.

Based on your advice I've just ordered one of these (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/351441498394?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT) from ebay.

[jcamp]

5W is about right for battery maintenace if it is on the dashboard.
According to one of our engineer's who has had a lot to do with lead acid batteries with telecom and submarines - aim at 30ma continuous for a 100 ah battery and you won't go to far wrong.

I get 7+ years out of a batteries with a 5w dashboard charger and swap the active/inactive battery connections every 6 months/10K with the engine oil

If you want better try one of his units measuring each cell with impedance at millihetrz levels and appropriate charging but that only works economically for the RAN on subs where you have full time people who monitor that battery bank - you would be better buying a battery a month!!!