Solar battery tender?

[Spiderinmlnj]

Does anyone have experience with a solar powered battery tender on their spider?
Any good / bad experiences or reccomendations?

Thanks
Geoff

[adrians]

Yes, I have a 10w single panel ( similar to a boat panel) charging my Spider - works well. I also have a commercial package unit on the X1/9 that charges the battery via the cigarette lighter socket, and one on the Niki (126) as well, connected via the starter motor terminals ( panel and engine both in the back, battery up front)

[NJFIAT1981]

Ho Geof,
I used the unit from home depot. $17.00. I have a window next to my spider and the cord reaches it. It connects to the battery via the cigarette lighter or the battery terminals. I also purchased a extended cord from the company and it reaches the second spider. They were hooked up all winter. Started right up in the spring. Solar power is the way to go.

[124JOE]

I used the unit from home depot. $17.00.



im off to the store. ZIP

[leftfield6]

I have one of these that I use on my VW Vanagon Westfalia

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VOLKSWAG ... 19c80ebbbc

Interesting where these came from, VW used to use these on vehicles while in transport to keep the battery maintained. It' labelled as a genine VW part. Dealers removed these before selling the vehicle, which is seemingly how they are showing up on eBay

It's a quality piece, although available at much less than the $70 this particular auction is asking.

[124JOE]

my home depo DIDNT have one

[AndyS]

they work OK, but a Battery tender JR works better if you have access to electricity where the car is stored.

[Spiderinmlnj]

What are downsides of a solar powered tender vs a plugin one?
Geoff

[AndyS]

the better plug in battery tenders are computer controlled, and really monitor the battery charge condition. they charge if needed, and maintain the correct voltage for long term storage without overcharging. they charge at night and on cloudy days if needed. the solar chargers are better than nothing, but do not obviously charge unless they have decent sunlight on them, and the output on the smaller ones is pretty weak. they are the only choice if you do not have a way to hook up a 110V volt one. as far as electricity cost, it costs only pennies a month to run a trickle charger.

[131]

Unless you've got a significant standby load on your battery a 5w panel with a solar regulator will easily keep it topped up. You'd be surprised what a panel will put out on a cloudy day and you'd only need 4 or 5 sunny days a month to keep the battery charged anyway, regardless of how much sun you had for the rest of the time.

[tonyfromjersey]

I need our club expert to get my lighter working again. It worked at one point, I took it all apart and can't figure it out but then electrical isn't my strong suit.

[124JOE]

red wire power, black wire ground,yellow wire power for the light ring

[tonyfromjersey]

red wire power, black wire ground,yellow wire power for the light ring

If only it were that easy. The previous owner(s) hacked many a wire in their day. I just usually let Scott and ralph do these things and I stand around and harumph. and buy pizza.

[124JOE]

well best of luck to ya