Small solar panel to keep car battery topped up

[LAV]

Any ideas of where to source this at a reasonable price? My brother has a Mazda 1.3 Sting as his runabout, but due to the nature of his work, it is only used infrequently. This means the battery is not as happy as it should be. There is no mains supply close by, so I was thinking a small (5 to 10W) panel should probably do the trick nicely?

(CT area)

[Eendstop]

These guys seem to have the best prices - most solar dealers totally go off their rockers with prices. I did some research for a new house we're building which is to be 'green' and as little dependent on grid power as is possible. I'm getting the panel and electronics from them.

Look at  http://www.dako.co.za/ .......in JHB though

[d0dja]

I'd be very interested in building something like this for my bike... a solar-powered battery tender.

Found a good article on float chargers here
http://batterytender.com/resources/float-charging.htm

and a solar charging schematic here http://www3.telus.net/chemelec/Projects/Solar-Charger/Solar-Charger.htm

A more sophisticated one here http://www3.telus.net/chemelec/Projects/Solar-Charger/Solar-Charger.htm

[LAV]

Thx! Also found www.sustainable.co.za and the well-known Current Automation. My idea would just be to get a small panel and a basic charge controller.

[Rodney_gold]

I have the same problem , but a far easier solution , install a battery cut off switch , cheap , easy , theft deterrent.

[LAV]

I have the same problem , but a far easier solution , install a battery cut off switch , cheap , easy , theft deterrent.

Agreed, but there's some electronics that need to remain powered up in this car.