Thanks to Solar, No More Dead Batteries!

This Honda Element has a 2 amp solar panel on it's roof, which charges the starting battery which is an Optima yellowtop. Yes, I am a Ham Radio operator as the license plate shows. My callsign is KE7CSC.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Paddock
• solar
• panel
• optima
• battery
• charging

[scpearson100]

Well better be ready to spend $1500 for the panel and recommended battery Ray paddock used to make that panel but due to lack of demand and high cost he was forced to discontinue it but if enough people demand it there is a chance it may go back into production

[scpearson100]

drops to 12.6-12.8 v at night

[OH2FFY]

Hiya

I think that your implying that the battery that is now at 13.8V volts because of the solar panel and that this is better than the 12.4V in the other battery.

The nominal maximum voltage of a unloaded 6 cell lead acid battery is between 12.6V and 12.8V.

The high voltage you are seeing is from the charger and does not represent a better state of battery charge compared to the other vehicle.

The battery with the lower voltage IS ALSO at full charge.

Regards

gregW:-) OH2FFY

[scpearson100]

@OH2FFY you are right but this is an optima battery which rests at 12.9 v

[TheMate01]

Where can I buy that solar panel?

[peteatt3hg]

@scpearson100 Yes you are 100% correct, would be very intersted in seeing the same reading done at night!

[scpearson100]

@OH2FFY You're right the car without solar panel sits for a month at a time and has always started first time..I drive tractor trailers so I am out of town a lot

[OH2FFY]

@scpearson100

A car with a good battery can sit for 3 weeks and start up first try......

I travel overseas extensively and my car is often left not run for well over a month at a time -- with no problems at all.

[scpearson100]

@OH2FFY this car does sit for 3 weeks at a time.. even with the solar panel I still get 27 mpg combined cty/hwy

[abyssunderground]

@OH2FFY You are right, however he is simply indicating the fact that his solar panel is charging his battery and that it makes it more difficult to go flat or leave you stranded.