Battery - solar maintenance without reg

[weeds]

Hi

No. 1 sons car get parked up for lengthy periods while he is away for work.

I suggested a 5w solar panel to suit on the dash to keep his battery topped up.

Is 5w max to use without regulator.

Car is a 2007 Ford Focus

[Blknight.aus]

depends on the battery size but for pretty much any landrover a 12v 5w panel with a blocking diode would be ok.

[weeds]

depends on the battery size but for pretty much any landrover a 12v 5w panel with a blocking diode would be ok.

Oh, needs a blocking diode??

[Blknight.aus]

Oh, needs a blocking diode??

yeah other wise the panel turns into a very ineffecient heater when shaded or at night.

you only need a 2A diode from jaycar or the likes.

[weeds]

yeah other wise the panel turns into a very ineffecient heater when shaded or at night.

you only need a 2A diode from jaycar or the likes.

On the pos or neg?

[Blknight.aus]

electrically it makes no difference but traditionally it goes on the positive side.

[weeds]

electrically it makes no difference but traditionally it goes on the positive side.

So pos than I can put some red heat shrink over the diode

[Blknight.aus]

yep, just make sure you orient it the right way.