Solar Charger/Maintainer Part 2: hooked up to the Altima

Submitted by sterling on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 05:51.

Last week,I ordered Sunsei Solar 2-watt 12-volt charger for fun. It turned out to more useful as I used it more. I got it directly tapped into the Nissan Altima's battery via the fuse box, so the charger can power my battery during the 10 hours of the day it was parked. Read more...

DISCLAMER: ***You should seek a professional electrician or auto installer to do this as it involves electricity and the potential to get injured or damage your car. Attempt at your own risk.***

I basically stripped the wire from the packaged battery clamp charger cable, tested the fuse box for an active battery fuse. I grounded it to the chassis of the car.

While I know my charger works, as the indicator LED glows blue when there is energy. I wonder if it is really useful. Noting that I drive at least 20 to 30 miles at high way speeds, I expect that my battery is getting all the charging it needs. Regardless, I am glad to have the device working for me and making sure my battery is kept charged.

I have found that it charges my 12volt car adapter powered cell phones (Treo 700wx and Motorola 360) in about 2-6 hours depending on current remaining battery strength. However, for larger devices such as a GPS which needed 2 Amps or more to operate, the power indicator light was on on both solar panel and charger,
however it took 8-10 hours to even charge a fraction of the battery's overall charge.

For now the charger is a excellent buy to maintain a batter and charging little items. I am keeping it.