Is my car battery charger not working?











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My old car battery died because I leave it parked too long. I replaced with new battery and this time hooked a solar trickle charger to it to keep it from discharging. (it's parked in public space)



Solar charger: https://www.amazon.com/Sunway-Solar-Maintainer-Motorcycle-Powersports/dp/B01MYVUSRH



I left the car parked for 6 days, I measured with multimeter before and after the battery. Before 6 days, battery rested at 12:45, when turning ignition on it goes to 10:49, engine nrunning at 14:22. After 6 days battery rested at 11:94, turning ignition on has it rise to 9:96, when engine is running it rises to 13:51 and increasing higher.



The car is small and has a small sized battery.



The solar charger itself in that parking spot which has okay clear sunlight not straight at the sun, when I measure it during day it reads 13. Manual for it says it should be 15 minimum at full sunlight. What I noticed is in places where it's really sunny the solar charger turns on the digital clock even when car is off. So clearly the car receives the power from the charger. But in my usual parking spot that measures 13 with multimeter, doesn't do that.










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  • 11




    "the solar charger turns on the digital clock" Your solar charger might not be reaching the battery when the car is off. If you're plugging it into the cigarette lighter/power outlet and the outlet is controlled by the ignition switch, then when the car is switched off there is no path for power to flow to the battery. I have a 95 Dodge Ram that is like this; I can plug a solar charger into the power outlet and the radio comes on and it doesn't charge the battery.
    – Rob K
    Nov 28 at 15:42






  • 4




    @RobK - why not use this as an answer?
    – Tim
    Nov 28 at 16:45










  • so the digital clock has nothing to do with the battery you mean? im plugging it into cigarette lighter, but i dont know if its controlled by ignition switch. what i know is the digital clock turns on when i plug solar charger, with the car completely off.
    – Altoban
    Nov 28 at 16:59










  • @Tim because that is the answer. That and he's using the wrong kind of battery.
    – Harper
    Nov 28 at 18:03






  • 1




    @RobK's comment clearly needs to be an answer. The clock behavior means it's certain that the cigarette lighter port is not connected to the battery when the ignition switch is off. There's probably also something drawing too much current when the car is off.
    – R..
    Nov 28 at 23:34















up vote
4
down vote

favorite












My old car battery died because I leave it parked too long. I replaced with new battery and this time hooked a solar trickle charger to it to keep it from discharging. (it's parked in public space)



Solar charger: https://www.amazon.com/Sunway-Solar-Maintainer-Motorcycle-Powersports/dp/B01MYVUSRH



I left the car parked for 6 days, I measured with multimeter before and after the battery. Before 6 days, battery rested at 12:45, when turning ignition on it goes to 10:49, engine nrunning at 14:22. After 6 days battery rested at 11:94, turning ignition on has it rise to 9:96, when engine is running it rises to 13:51 and increasing higher.



The car is small and has a small sized battery.



The solar charger itself in that parking spot which has okay clear sunlight not straight at the sun, when I measure it during day it reads 13. Manual for it says it should be 15 minimum at full sunlight. What I noticed is in places where it's really sunny the solar charger turns on the digital clock even when car is off. So clearly the car receives the power from the charger. But in my usual parking spot that measures 13 with multimeter, doesn't do that.










share|improve this question




















  • 11




    "the solar charger turns on the digital clock" Your solar charger might not be reaching the battery when the car is off. If you're plugging it into the cigarette lighter/power outlet and the outlet is controlled by the ignition switch, then when the car is switched off there is no path for power to flow to the battery. I have a 95 Dodge Ram that is like this; I can plug a solar charger into the power outlet and the radio comes on and it doesn't charge the battery.
    – Rob K
    Nov 28 at 15:42






  • 4




    @RobK - why not use this as an answer?
    – Tim
    Nov 28 at 16:45










  • so the digital clock has nothing to do with the battery you mean? im plugging it into cigarette lighter, but i dont know if its controlled by ignition switch. what i know is the digital clock turns on when i plug solar charger, with the car completely off.
    – Altoban
    Nov 28 at 16:59










  • @Tim because that is the answer. That and he's using the wrong kind of battery.
    – Harper
    Nov 28 at 18:03






  • 1




    @RobK's comment clearly needs to be an answer. The clock behavior means it's certain that the cigarette lighter port is not connected to the battery when the ignition switch is off. There's probably also something drawing too much current when the car is off.
    – R..
    Nov 28 at 23:34













up vote
4
down vote

favorite









up vote
4
down vote

favorite











My old car battery died because I leave it parked too long. I replaced with new battery and this time hooked a solar trickle charger to it to keep it from discharging. (it's parked in public space)



Solar charger: https://www.amazon.com/Sunway-Solar-Maintainer-Motorcycle-Powersports/dp/B01MYVUSRH



I left the car parked for 6 days, I measured with multimeter before and after the battery. Before 6 days, battery rested at 12:45, when turning ignition on it goes to 10:49, engine nrunning at 14:22. After 6 days battery rested at 11:94, turning ignition on has it rise to 9:96, when engine is running it rises to 13:51 and increasing higher.



The car is small and has a small sized battery.



The solar charger itself in that parking spot which has okay clear sunlight not straight at the sun, when I measure it during day it reads 13. Manual for it says it should be 15 minimum at full sunlight. What I noticed is in places where it's really sunny the solar charger turns on the digital clock even when car is off. So clearly the car receives the power from the charger. But in my usual parking spot that measures 13 with multimeter, doesn't do that.










share|improve this question















My old car battery died because I leave it parked too long. I replaced with new battery and this time hooked a solar trickle charger to it to keep it from discharging. (it's parked in public space)



Solar charger: https://www.amazon.com/Sunway-Solar-Maintainer-Motorcycle-Powersports/dp/B01MYVUSRH



I left the car parked for 6 days, I measured with multimeter before and after the battery. Before 6 days, battery rested at 12:45, when turning ignition on it goes to 10:49, engine nrunning at 14:22. After 6 days battery rested at 11:94, turning ignition on has it rise to 9:96, when engine is running it rises to 13:51 and increasing higher.



The car is small and has a small sized battery.



The solar charger itself in that parking spot which has okay clear sunlight not straight at the sun, when I measure it during day it reads 13. Manual for it says it should be 15 minimum at full sunlight. What I noticed is in places where it's really sunny the solar charger turns on the digital clock even when car is off. So clearly the car receives the power from the charger. But in my usual parking spot that measures 13 with multimeter, doesn't do that.







battery battery-drain battery-charger






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share|improve this question













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edited Nov 29 at 11:34

























asked Nov 28 at 12:38









Altoban

1265




1265








  • 11




    "the solar charger turns on the digital clock" Your solar charger might not be reaching the battery when the car is off. If you're plugging it into the cigarette lighter/power outlet and the outlet is controlled by the ignition switch, then when the car is switched off there is no path for power to flow to the battery. I have a 95 Dodge Ram that is like this; I can plug a solar charger into the power outlet and the radio comes on and it doesn't charge the battery.
    – Rob K
    Nov 28 at 15:42






  • 4




    @RobK - why not use this as an answer?
    – Tim
    Nov 28 at 16:45










  • so the digital clock has nothing to do with the battery you mean? im plugging it into cigarette lighter, but i dont know if its controlled by ignition switch. what i know is the digital clock turns on when i plug solar charger, with the car completely off.
    – Altoban
    Nov 28 at 16:59










  • @Tim because that is the answer. That and he's using the wrong kind of battery.
    – Harper
    Nov 28 at 18:03






  • 1




    @RobK's comment clearly needs to be an answer. The clock behavior means it's certain that the cigarette lighter port is not connected to the battery when the ignition switch is off. There's probably also something drawing too much current when the car is off.
    – R..
    Nov 28 at 23:34














  • 11




    "the solar charger turns on the digital clock" Your solar charger might not be reaching the battery when the car is off. If you're plugging it into the cigarette lighter/power outlet and the outlet is controlled by the ignition switch, then when the car is switched off there is no path for power to flow to the battery. I have a 95 Dodge Ram that is like this; I can plug a solar charger into the power outlet and the radio comes on and it doesn't charge the battery.
    – Rob K
    Nov 28 at 15:42






  • 4




    @RobK - why not use this as an answer?
    – Tim
    Nov 28 at 16:45










  • so the digital clock has nothing to do with the battery you mean? im plugging it into cigarette lighter, but i dont know if its controlled by ignition switch. what i know is the digital clock turns on when i plug solar charger, with the car completely off.
    – Altoban
    Nov 28 at 16:59










  • @Tim because that is the answer. That and he's using the wrong kind of battery.
    – Harper
    Nov 28 at 18:03






  • 1




    @RobK's comment clearly needs to be an answer. The clock behavior means it's certain that the cigarette lighter port is not connected to the battery when the ignition switch is off. There's probably also something drawing too much current when the car is off.
    – R..
    Nov 28 at 23:34








11




11




"the solar charger turns on the digital clock" Your solar charger might not be reaching the battery when the car is off. If you're plugging it into the cigarette lighter/power outlet and the outlet is controlled by the ignition switch, then when the car is switched off there is no path for power to flow to the battery. I have a 95 Dodge Ram that is like this; I can plug a solar charger into the power outlet and the radio comes on and it doesn't charge the battery.
– Rob K
Nov 28 at 15:42




"the solar charger turns on the digital clock" Your solar charger might not be reaching the battery when the car is off. If you're plugging it into the cigarette lighter/power outlet and the outlet is controlled by the ignition switch, then when the car is switched off there is no path for power to flow to the battery. I have a 95 Dodge Ram that is like this; I can plug a solar charger into the power outlet and the radio comes on and it doesn't charge the battery.
– Rob K
Nov 28 at 15:42




4




4




@RobK - why not use this as an answer?
– Tim
Nov 28 at 16:45




@RobK - why not use this as an answer?
– Tim
Nov 28 at 16:45












so the digital clock has nothing to do with the battery you mean? im plugging it into cigarette lighter, but i dont know if its controlled by ignition switch. what i know is the digital clock turns on when i plug solar charger, with the car completely off.
– Altoban
Nov 28 at 16:59




so the digital clock has nothing to do with the battery you mean? im plugging it into cigarette lighter, but i dont know if its controlled by ignition switch. what i know is the digital clock turns on when i plug solar charger, with the car completely off.
– Altoban
Nov 28 at 16:59












@Tim because that is the answer. That and he's using the wrong kind of battery.
– Harper
Nov 28 at 18:03




@Tim because that is the answer. That and he's using the wrong kind of battery.
– Harper
Nov 28 at 18:03




1




1




@RobK's comment clearly needs to be an answer. The clock behavior means it's certain that the cigarette lighter port is not connected to the battery when the ignition switch is off. There's probably also something drawing too much current when the car is off.
– R..
Nov 28 at 23:34




@RobK's comment clearly needs to be an answer. The clock behavior means it's certain that the cigarette lighter port is not connected to the battery when the ignition switch is off. There's probably also something drawing too much current when the car is off.
– R..
Nov 28 at 23:34










3 Answers
3






active

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up vote
9
down vote













12.45 to 11.94 in 6 days seems like a significant discharge. You should be able to leave your car for a month or longer and still have enough power to start. At your current discharge rate, I wouldn't be surprised if you couldn't start after 10 days. I would be looking at parasitic drain. Here is a guide. You can find YouTube videos also.



Some thoughts.




  • How much does your battery discharge in 6 days without the solar charger?

  • If you disconnect your battery and leave it for 6 days, how much does it discharge?

  • You could hook up your multimeter as demonstrated in the parasitic drain test to see if the battery is charging or discharging while the solar charger is supplying energy. The digital clock turning on might be part of the issue. Other electronics may be waking up and causing a larger load on the battery.






share|improve this answer





















  • It's a small battery not a normal big battery, could that be it? I guess the next test is without the charger but it's moot point because it's still discharging. The digital clock turns on only when solar charger is plugged in and full sunlight. My old battery died only after 7 months, I thought it needed a trickle charger.
    – Altoban
    Nov 28 at 15:17








  • 1




    As long as it is a lead acid battery designed for a car, it shouldn't matter much. Are you using the battery specified by the OEM, or something different? 7 months is extremely short. How did you verify it needed to be replaced? Lead acid batteries can typically be recharged after dying. A load test is the best way to determine the strength of the battery in how many amps it can put out over a couple seconds. It sounds like you have a parasitic drain issue that needs to be addressed. The trickle charging is a band aid for the real issue.
    – rpmerf
    Nov 28 at 16:03










  • i got it replaced for free so it doesnt matter but the main issue i dont know about, and sounds like really hard to fix.
    – Altoban
    Nov 28 at 16:57






  • 3




    I believe the main issue is something is drawing more power than normal. This could be as simple as an interior light that doesn't turn off, or a phone charger left in a socket that doesn't turn off when the car does. The best way to test this is a amp meter between the battery and battery cable to read how much power is being pulled from the battery. The draw should be less than 500 mA. If it is more, start pulling fuses one at a time until it drops. Once you see it drop, you know what circuit to follow.
    – rpmerf
    Nov 28 at 17:20


















up vote
4
down vote













Solar chargers are impacted by many factors:




  • Glass: especially tinted glass filters light, you won't get maximum charge behind glass

  • Direction: solar cells work best when pointed at the sun

  • Sun intensity: you won't get full power on a cloudy day, and in the winter sun is less intense


If you want to test your charger then take it out of the car and see what it produces when when pointed right at the sun on a good day. If it produces the expected power then you know its one of those factors at work.



Keep in mind that a trickle charge is just that, it does not recharge a car battery, just reduces losses. It isn't going to keep up if you have a battery drain, which I agree with @rpmerf that you have.






share|improve this answer





















  • On average it reads 13 by multimeter even when out of car, unless there is strong sun presence. I think this is lower than the min 15 with full sunlight the manual says but what concerns me is, would 13 be enough to keep battery charged?
    – Altoban
    2 days ago


















up vote
0
down vote













The cigarette lighter/power port is almost certainly controlled by the ignition switch. When the ignition is on or in the "accessory" position, the circuit is completed to the battery and power is provided to the port. When the ignition is off, there is no path from the power port to the battery and thus the electricity generated by the solar charger cannot reach the battery to charge it.






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    3 Answers
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    active

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    3 Answers
    3






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    up vote
    9
    down vote













    12.45 to 11.94 in 6 days seems like a significant discharge. You should be able to leave your car for a month or longer and still have enough power to start. At your current discharge rate, I wouldn't be surprised if you couldn't start after 10 days. I would be looking at parasitic drain. Here is a guide. You can find YouTube videos also.



    Some thoughts.




    • How much does your battery discharge in 6 days without the solar charger?

    • If you disconnect your battery and leave it for 6 days, how much does it discharge?

    • You could hook up your multimeter as demonstrated in the parasitic drain test to see if the battery is charging or discharging while the solar charger is supplying energy. The digital clock turning on might be part of the issue. Other electronics may be waking up and causing a larger load on the battery.






    share|improve this answer





















    • It's a small battery not a normal big battery, could that be it? I guess the next test is without the charger but it's moot point because it's still discharging. The digital clock turns on only when solar charger is plugged in and full sunlight. My old battery died only after 7 months, I thought it needed a trickle charger.
      – Altoban
      Nov 28 at 15:17








    • 1




      As long as it is a lead acid battery designed for a car, it shouldn't matter much. Are you using the battery specified by the OEM, or something different? 7 months is extremely short. How did you verify it needed to be replaced? Lead acid batteries can typically be recharged after dying. A load test is the best way to determine the strength of the battery in how many amps it can put out over a couple seconds. It sounds like you have a parasitic drain issue that needs to be addressed. The trickle charging is a band aid for the real issue.
      – rpmerf
      Nov 28 at 16:03










    • i got it replaced for free so it doesnt matter but the main issue i dont know about, and sounds like really hard to fix.
      – Altoban
      Nov 28 at 16:57






    • 3




      I believe the main issue is something is drawing more power than normal. This could be as simple as an interior light that doesn't turn off, or a phone charger left in a socket that doesn't turn off when the car does. The best way to test this is a amp meter between the battery and battery cable to read how much power is being pulled from the battery. The draw should be less than 500 mA. If it is more, start pulling fuses one at a time until it drops. Once you see it drop, you know what circuit to follow.
      – rpmerf
      Nov 28 at 17:20















    up vote
    9
    down vote













    12.45 to 11.94 in 6 days seems like a significant discharge. You should be able to leave your car for a month or longer and still have enough power to start. At your current discharge rate, I wouldn't be surprised if you couldn't start after 10 days. I would be looking at parasitic drain. Here is a guide. You can find YouTube videos also.



    Some thoughts.




    • How much does your battery discharge in 6 days without the solar charger?

    • If you disconnect your battery and leave it for 6 days, how much does it discharge?

    • You could hook up your multimeter as demonstrated in the parasitic drain test to see if the battery is charging or discharging while the solar charger is supplying energy. The digital clock turning on might be part of the issue. Other electronics may be waking up and causing a larger load on the battery.






    share|improve this answer





















    • It's a small battery not a normal big battery, could that be it? I guess the next test is without the charger but it's moot point because it's still discharging. The digital clock turns on only when solar charger is plugged in and full sunlight. My old battery died only after 7 months, I thought it needed a trickle charger.
      – Altoban
      Nov 28 at 15:17








    • 1




      As long as it is a lead acid battery designed for a car, it shouldn't matter much. Are you using the battery specified by the OEM, or something different? 7 months is extremely short. How did you verify it needed to be replaced? Lead acid batteries can typically be recharged after dying. A load test is the best way to determine the strength of the battery in how many amps it can put out over a couple seconds. It sounds like you have a parasitic drain issue that needs to be addressed. The trickle charging is a band aid for the real issue.
      – rpmerf
      Nov 28 at 16:03










    • i got it replaced for free so it doesnt matter but the main issue i dont know about, and sounds like really hard to fix.
      – Altoban
      Nov 28 at 16:57






    • 3




      I believe the main issue is something is drawing more power than normal. This could be as simple as an interior light that doesn't turn off, or a phone charger left in a socket that doesn't turn off when the car does. The best way to test this is a amp meter between the battery and battery cable to read how much power is being pulled from the battery. The draw should be less than 500 mA. If it is more, start pulling fuses one at a time until it drops. Once you see it drop, you know what circuit to follow.
      – rpmerf
      Nov 28 at 17:20













    up vote
    9
    down vote










    up vote
    9
    down vote









    12.45 to 11.94 in 6 days seems like a significant discharge. You should be able to leave your car for a month or longer and still have enough power to start. At your current discharge rate, I wouldn't be surprised if you couldn't start after 10 days. I would be looking at parasitic drain. Here is a guide. You can find YouTube videos also.



    Some thoughts.




    • How much does your battery discharge in 6 days without the solar charger?

    • If you disconnect your battery and leave it for 6 days, how much does it discharge?

    • You could hook up your multimeter as demonstrated in the parasitic drain test to see if the battery is charging or discharging while the solar charger is supplying energy. The digital clock turning on might be part of the issue. Other electronics may be waking up and causing a larger load on the battery.






    share|improve this answer












    12.45 to 11.94 in 6 days seems like a significant discharge. You should be able to leave your car for a month or longer and still have enough power to start. At your current discharge rate, I wouldn't be surprised if you couldn't start after 10 days. I would be looking at parasitic drain. Here is a guide. You can find YouTube videos also.



    Some thoughts.




    • How much does your battery discharge in 6 days without the solar charger?

    • If you disconnect your battery and leave it for 6 days, how much does it discharge?

    • You could hook up your multimeter as demonstrated in the parasitic drain test to see if the battery is charging or discharging while the solar charger is supplying energy. The digital clock turning on might be part of the issue. Other electronics may be waking up and causing a larger load on the battery.







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered Nov 28 at 13:45









    rpmerf

    8,1851329




    8,1851329












    • It's a small battery not a normal big battery, could that be it? I guess the next test is without the charger but it's moot point because it's still discharging. The digital clock turns on only when solar charger is plugged in and full sunlight. My old battery died only after 7 months, I thought it needed a trickle charger.
      – Altoban
      Nov 28 at 15:17








    • 1




      As long as it is a lead acid battery designed for a car, it shouldn't matter much. Are you using the battery specified by the OEM, or something different? 7 months is extremely short. How did you verify it needed to be replaced? Lead acid batteries can typically be recharged after dying. A load test is the best way to determine the strength of the battery in how many amps it can put out over a couple seconds. It sounds like you have a parasitic drain issue that needs to be addressed. The trickle charging is a band aid for the real issue.
      – rpmerf
      Nov 28 at 16:03










    • i got it replaced for free so it doesnt matter but the main issue i dont know about, and sounds like really hard to fix.
      – Altoban
      Nov 28 at 16:57






    • 3




      I believe the main issue is something is drawing more power than normal. This could be as simple as an interior light that doesn't turn off, or a phone charger left in a socket that doesn't turn off when the car does. The best way to test this is a amp meter between the battery and battery cable to read how much power is being pulled from the battery. The draw should be less than 500 mA. If it is more, start pulling fuses one at a time until it drops. Once you see it drop, you know what circuit to follow.
      – rpmerf
      Nov 28 at 17:20


















    • It's a small battery not a normal big battery, could that be it? I guess the next test is without the charger but it's moot point because it's still discharging. The digital clock turns on only when solar charger is plugged in and full sunlight. My old battery died only after 7 months, I thought it needed a trickle charger.
      – Altoban
      Nov 28 at 15:17








    • 1




      As long as it is a lead acid battery designed for a car, it shouldn't matter much. Are you using the battery specified by the OEM, or something different? 7 months is extremely short. How did you verify it needed to be replaced? Lead acid batteries can typically be recharged after dying. A load test is the best way to determine the strength of the battery in how many amps it can put out over a couple seconds. It sounds like you have a parasitic drain issue that needs to be addressed. The trickle charging is a band aid for the real issue.
      – rpmerf
      Nov 28 at 16:03










    • i got it replaced for free so it doesnt matter but the main issue i dont know about, and sounds like really hard to fix.
      – Altoban
      Nov 28 at 16:57






    • 3




      I believe the main issue is something is drawing more power than normal. This could be as simple as an interior light that doesn't turn off, or a phone charger left in a socket that doesn't turn off when the car does. The best way to test this is a amp meter between the battery and battery cable to read how much power is being pulled from the battery. The draw should be less than 500 mA. If it is more, start pulling fuses one at a time until it drops. Once you see it drop, you know what circuit to follow.
      – rpmerf
      Nov 28 at 17:20
















    It's a small battery not a normal big battery, could that be it? I guess the next test is without the charger but it's moot point because it's still discharging. The digital clock turns on only when solar charger is plugged in and full sunlight. My old battery died only after 7 months, I thought it needed a trickle charger.
    – Altoban
    Nov 28 at 15:17






    It's a small battery not a normal big battery, could that be it? I guess the next test is without the charger but it's moot point because it's still discharging. The digital clock turns on only when solar charger is plugged in and full sunlight. My old battery died only after 7 months, I thought it needed a trickle charger.
    – Altoban
    Nov 28 at 15:17






    1




    1




    As long as it is a lead acid battery designed for a car, it shouldn't matter much. Are you using the battery specified by the OEM, or something different? 7 months is extremely short. How did you verify it needed to be replaced? Lead acid batteries can typically be recharged after dying. A load test is the best way to determine the strength of the battery in how many amps it can put out over a couple seconds. It sounds like you have a parasitic drain issue that needs to be addressed. The trickle charging is a band aid for the real issue.
    – rpmerf
    Nov 28 at 16:03




    As long as it is a lead acid battery designed for a car, it shouldn't matter much. Are you using the battery specified by the OEM, or something different? 7 months is extremely short. How did you verify it needed to be replaced? Lead acid batteries can typically be recharged after dying. A load test is the best way to determine the strength of the battery in how many amps it can put out over a couple seconds. It sounds like you have a parasitic drain issue that needs to be addressed. The trickle charging is a band aid for the real issue.
    – rpmerf
    Nov 28 at 16:03












    i got it replaced for free so it doesnt matter but the main issue i dont know about, and sounds like really hard to fix.
    – Altoban
    Nov 28 at 16:57




    i got it replaced for free so it doesnt matter but the main issue i dont know about, and sounds like really hard to fix.
    – Altoban
    Nov 28 at 16:57




    3




    3




    I believe the main issue is something is drawing more power than normal. This could be as simple as an interior light that doesn't turn off, or a phone charger left in a socket that doesn't turn off when the car does. The best way to test this is a amp meter between the battery and battery cable to read how much power is being pulled from the battery. The draw should be less than 500 mA. If it is more, start pulling fuses one at a time until it drops. Once you see it drop, you know what circuit to follow.
    – rpmerf
    Nov 28 at 17:20




    I believe the main issue is something is drawing more power than normal. This could be as simple as an interior light that doesn't turn off, or a phone charger left in a socket that doesn't turn off when the car does. The best way to test this is a amp meter between the battery and battery cable to read how much power is being pulled from the battery. The draw should be less than 500 mA. If it is more, start pulling fuses one at a time until it drops. Once you see it drop, you know what circuit to follow.
    – rpmerf
    Nov 28 at 17:20










    up vote
    4
    down vote













    Solar chargers are impacted by many factors:




    • Glass: especially tinted glass filters light, you won't get maximum charge behind glass

    • Direction: solar cells work best when pointed at the sun

    • Sun intensity: you won't get full power on a cloudy day, and in the winter sun is less intense


    If you want to test your charger then take it out of the car and see what it produces when when pointed right at the sun on a good day. If it produces the expected power then you know its one of those factors at work.



    Keep in mind that a trickle charge is just that, it does not recharge a car battery, just reduces losses. It isn't going to keep up if you have a battery drain, which I agree with @rpmerf that you have.






    share|improve this answer





















    • On average it reads 13 by multimeter even when out of car, unless there is strong sun presence. I think this is lower than the min 15 with full sunlight the manual says but what concerns me is, would 13 be enough to keep battery charged?
      – Altoban
      2 days ago















    up vote
    4
    down vote













    Solar chargers are impacted by many factors:




    • Glass: especially tinted glass filters light, you won't get maximum charge behind glass

    • Direction: solar cells work best when pointed at the sun

    • Sun intensity: you won't get full power on a cloudy day, and in the winter sun is less intense


    If you want to test your charger then take it out of the car and see what it produces when when pointed right at the sun on a good day. If it produces the expected power then you know its one of those factors at work.



    Keep in mind that a trickle charge is just that, it does not recharge a car battery, just reduces losses. It isn't going to keep up if you have a battery drain, which I agree with @rpmerf that you have.






    share|improve this answer





















    • On average it reads 13 by multimeter even when out of car, unless there is strong sun presence. I think this is lower than the min 15 with full sunlight the manual says but what concerns me is, would 13 be enough to keep battery charged?
      – Altoban
      2 days ago













    up vote
    4
    down vote










    up vote
    4
    down vote









    Solar chargers are impacted by many factors:




    • Glass: especially tinted glass filters light, you won't get maximum charge behind glass

    • Direction: solar cells work best when pointed at the sun

    • Sun intensity: you won't get full power on a cloudy day, and in the winter sun is less intense


    If you want to test your charger then take it out of the car and see what it produces when when pointed right at the sun on a good day. If it produces the expected power then you know its one of those factors at work.



    Keep in mind that a trickle charge is just that, it does not recharge a car battery, just reduces losses. It isn't going to keep up if you have a battery drain, which I agree with @rpmerf that you have.






    share|improve this answer












    Solar chargers are impacted by many factors:




    • Glass: especially tinted glass filters light, you won't get maximum charge behind glass

    • Direction: solar cells work best when pointed at the sun

    • Sun intensity: you won't get full power on a cloudy day, and in the winter sun is less intense


    If you want to test your charger then take it out of the car and see what it produces when when pointed right at the sun on a good day. If it produces the expected power then you know its one of those factors at work.



    Keep in mind that a trickle charge is just that, it does not recharge a car battery, just reduces losses. It isn't going to keep up if you have a battery drain, which I agree with @rpmerf that you have.







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered Nov 28 at 14:06









    GdD

    5,2391025




    5,2391025












    • On average it reads 13 by multimeter even when out of car, unless there is strong sun presence. I think this is lower than the min 15 with full sunlight the manual says but what concerns me is, would 13 be enough to keep battery charged?
      – Altoban
      2 days ago


















    • On average it reads 13 by multimeter even when out of car, unless there is strong sun presence. I think this is lower than the min 15 with full sunlight the manual says but what concerns me is, would 13 be enough to keep battery charged?
      – Altoban
      2 days ago
















    On average it reads 13 by multimeter even when out of car, unless there is strong sun presence. I think this is lower than the min 15 with full sunlight the manual says but what concerns me is, would 13 be enough to keep battery charged?
    – Altoban
    2 days ago




    On average it reads 13 by multimeter even when out of car, unless there is strong sun presence. I think this is lower than the min 15 with full sunlight the manual says but what concerns me is, would 13 be enough to keep battery charged?
    – Altoban
    2 days ago










    up vote
    0
    down vote













    The cigarette lighter/power port is almost certainly controlled by the ignition switch. When the ignition is on or in the "accessory" position, the circuit is completed to the battery and power is provided to the port. When the ignition is off, there is no path from the power port to the battery and thus the electricity generated by the solar charger cannot reach the battery to charge it.






    share|improve this answer








    New contributor




    Rob K is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.






















      up vote
      0
      down vote













      The cigarette lighter/power port is almost certainly controlled by the ignition switch. When the ignition is on or in the "accessory" position, the circuit is completed to the battery and power is provided to the port. When the ignition is off, there is no path from the power port to the battery and thus the electricity generated by the solar charger cannot reach the battery to charge it.






      share|improve this answer








      New contributor




      Rob K is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.




















        up vote
        0
        down vote










        up vote
        0
        down vote









        The cigarette lighter/power port is almost certainly controlled by the ignition switch. When the ignition is on or in the "accessory" position, the circuit is completed to the battery and power is provided to the port. When the ignition is off, there is no path from the power port to the battery and thus the electricity generated by the solar charger cannot reach the battery to charge it.






        share|improve this answer








        New contributor




        Rob K is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.









        The cigarette lighter/power port is almost certainly controlled by the ignition switch. When the ignition is on or in the "accessory" position, the circuit is completed to the battery and power is provided to the port. When the ignition is off, there is no path from the power port to the battery and thus the electricity generated by the solar charger cannot reach the battery to charge it.







        share|improve this answer








        New contributor




        Rob K is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.









        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer






        New contributor




        Rob K is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.









        answered 2 days ago









        Rob K

        1064




        1064




        New contributor




        Rob K is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.





        New contributor





        Rob K is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.






        Rob K is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.






























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