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Solar Powered Car Battery Charger/ Jump Starter

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joko | 11:20 Thu 08th Aug 2013 | Motoring
6 Answers
has anyone used these? are they any good?

they are usually about a about a foot long and you stick them in the window of your car to charge from the sun - they have 2 crocodile clips and are meant to have enough power to charge minor devices and to jump start a car if need be.

i have one but never used it - on the 2 occasions when i really needed it - i had removed it from the car - (typical eh!)

cheers
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Never used one, but surely they must be more than that. You'd also need a battery to hold the trickle charge you got from the solar panel.
I know two people who use these. They are used to trickle charge a car battery while the car is not being used often - and they work.
However, they are NOT meant to jump-start a car at all. The battery needs to be in good condition also.
Think of them as a mains trickle-charger (which will NOT jump-start!) - but powered by the sun.
If you're expecting a jump-start from it, you'll be sadly disappointed!
...should have said that croc clips aren't necessary...they usually trickle-charge via the 12v socket ("cigarette lighter"). A good idea if your car is parked outside and has periods of not being used.
To jump start a car from a solar panel on a sunny day you would need one several times bigger than your car.
Gingebee, some cars do not allow charging via the cigar lighter socket as it is either isolated when the ignition/accessories are off or there is a blocking diode in the circuit. Check first before you rely on it.
jom: indeed I did know that. Every car that I have owned has had a permanently "live" socket...except the new one I got a few months ago which doesn't!

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