Hi,

read the various other posts regarding trickle chargers connecting straight to the batteries which is fine.

But is anyone using a solar power trickle charger conected through the Cig Lighter socket to supply charge to the batteries. This will save me running a mains lead into the drive way and having other things showing outdoors.

Is this a good idea, given the cars electronics?

Will it trickle charge both batteries or actually do nothing due to the split charging system?

Cheers

 

I have done this on one of my other vehicles and yes it maintained the battery year round.
On the MB you would need to confirm that the cig lighter is constantly on with the vehicle off. If not, you can changed the fuse location to correct the aforementioned.
Second, I do not believe it would charged the aux battery. You would need to run an additional panel and hardwire a socket to that battery.
Last concern, do you get enough sun over there to make this worthwhile?

 

I've been using a 6 watt Sunsei solar charger by ICP for years on our ML which sits outside (with a cover) in Long Island for the six months while we are in Germany. Inevitably, when we return to NY in January, it's about 20 degrees or less and the battery is showing right at 13 volts. Bottom line - - - it absolutely does the job. The kit comes with a multitude of connection options. All fittings are weatherproof and the solar panel has a diode circuit built in to eliminate battery drain during periods of darkness.

This is the only vehicle that remains outside until its return to Florida in February. All the others, either in the U.S. or Europe, use Schumacher float chargers. In 7 years I have never had a vehicle fail to maintain a full charge or fail to start.

When we return to Germany this July I am going to check the voltage of the BS14 accessory battery. YachtMaster pointed out to me last year that the BS14 is only charged from the vehicle's charging circuit. The engine start sequence takes the sensitive electronics off the main bus and switches them to the BS14 in order to avoid subjecting them to low voltage conditions and spikes. If this is correct, and I have no reason to doubt YachtMaster, the BS14 will be at a lower voltage than the main battery in the trunk.

 

Could you explain how to do this please? I have searched and can't come up with anything

 

fuse panel under hood. the fuse will slide over

 

LOL ......Yes we do get some daylight over here, but no UV sun burn weather warnings.


Thanks for that ............good point I forgot that the cig lighter does not work with the ignition off.

ok make it permenant live and it should work and charge.

 

Courtesy of Yacht Master:


https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...ion-ry-480.jpg

 

anyone have anything else to chime in on regarding brands / models?

 

i have a ctek trickle charger that i use during the winter months. Less than $60s
CTEK Multi US 3300 12-Volt Smart Battery Charger