"Reverse" Solar Charging car batteries

[gavinwibrow]

With our D4s and my MY16 in particular, can a solar panel be connected to a CIG plug and "Trickle" recharge the battery/ies?

I have about 0.13 voltage drop per day, and more if I leave the plugs for gps and tyre management connected to the two centre console CIGS.

Currently I have a 70W solar panel on my two roof bars and connected into the rear RHS CIG (compliments of Tim's twin underbonnet batteries Traxide system), which seems to keep the batteries topped up when the car is not garaged.

DazzaTD5 recently found the cause of a bigger voltage drop by removing the relays and fuse for heated seats (which I don't have). Go figure LRs!!!!



PS, I have a similar trickle charging system on the RRC, which has a long term voltage drop yet to be diagnosed/located.

[Tombie]

Not to the factory ones… they disconnect when the car shuts down (like all modern vehicles do).

If your vehicle is drawing down harder when off via the centre console sockets I’d be checking to see if bypasses have been done? Did you buy it new? Something isn’t right there.

The fact your seat relays are drawing power - I’d be looking at your CCF also, sounds like they’re set to on.

Back to your question…. It (main battery) can be connected via suitable wiring and yes it can keep it topped up using a smaller panel.

Your system seems to solve the problem but isn’t solving the issue.