Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > EcoModding Central
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 06-21-2013, 05:33 PM   #1 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
blowncopcar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Mooresville, NC
Posts: 36

Gumby - '97 Geo Metro
90 day: 58.53 mpg (US)
Thanks: 16
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
$15 Solar Panel?

So I've seen these 15-20 dollar solar panels around that plug straight into the cigarette outlet.... I've been reading a lot on alternaters and saw someone say that adding a solar panel to a stock setup can help mpg by making the alt not work as hard as usual....
So would one of these solar panels actually help mpg this way? AND do it just through the power outlet?
Any info is appreciated cause I can't find this exact topic or answer...

__________________
1997 Geo Metro 1.0L 5speed
Pass mirror deleted
Custom molded front bumper with top grill closed and 50%summer-90%winter bottom grill closed+ lowered lip BUMPER IN PICTURE IS NOT BUMPER NOW
Partial kamback (in progress)
Headlight covers molded into bumper
Rear underbody tray (suspension to bumper)
Windows tinted 35% NOT PICTURED
  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 06-21-2013, 05:51 PM   #2 (permalink)
Not Doug
 
Xist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Show Low, AZ
Posts: 12,186

Chorizo - '00 Honda Civic HX, baby! :D
90 day: 35.35 mpg (US)

Mid-Life Crisis Fighter - '99 Honda Accord LX
90 day: 34.2 mpg (US)

Gramps - '04 Toyota Camry LE
90 day: 35.39 mpg (US)

Don't hit me bro - '05 Toyota Camry LE
90 day: 35.79 mpg (US)
Thanks: 7,217
Thanked 2,217 Times in 1,708 Posts
I think that would depend on how charged the battery is when you park the car and how much it further drains while parked--I really doubt that they would make an appreciable difference while the engine is running.

My other concern is over-charging the battery.

You could probably install an alternator kill-switch and try to figure out how long the car will be parked, how much that would charge the battery, and so how far you could drive and still fully charge while parked.
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2013, 05:56 PM   #3 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
blowncopcar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Mooresville, NC
Posts: 36

Gumby - '97 Geo Metro
90 day: 58.53 mpg (US)
Thanks: 16
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
If I did install an alt kill switch, would it be able to charge well enough through the outlet? I guess i just don't trust it to be able to charge well but it should... I've never had good experiences with cig outlets lol
__________________
1997 Geo Metro 1.0L 5speed
Pass mirror deleted
Custom molded front bumper with top grill closed and 50%summer-90%winter bottom grill closed+ lowered lip BUMPER IN PICTURE IS NOT BUMPER NOW
Partial kamback (in progress)
Headlight covers molded into bumper
Rear underbody tray (suspension to bumper)
Windows tinted 35% NOT PICTURED
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2013, 06:00 PM   #4 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
nemo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: US
Posts: 1,015

Chief - '06 Pontiac Grand Prix
90 day: 26.7 mpg (US)

SF1 - '12 Ford Fiesta S
90 day: 30.95 mpg (US)
Thanks: 195
Thanked 247 Times in 190 Posts
You might want to look at this thread and others.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ent-16119.html

Those small panels are more like a maintainer not really for recharging. Also your outlet must be energized with the key off for it to work.

Last edited by nemo; 06-22-2013 at 09:48 AM.. Reason: sp
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2013, 06:07 PM   #5 (permalink)
Master EcoWalker
 
RedDevil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
Posts: 3,998

Red Devil - '11 Honda Insight Elegance
Team Honda
90 day: 47.72 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,711
Thanked 2,245 Times in 1,454 Posts
The power output of those is quite low, even in full sunlight. If you have it somewhere inside the car chances are that it will be in the shade or turned away from the sun most of the time. Even in fair weather you cannot expect more than one watt on average.

Then there is the weight of the panel. Probably less than a kilogram, but not really nothing. The panel will just generate a few Watt per kilo. In comparison, the ICE produces about 500 Watt per kilo or more.
Adding the panel will most likely raise your fuel consumption ever so slightly, and will definitely hurt performance a tiny bit.
It is the same problem as the exhaust heat recovery systems have; too heavy for the tiny amount of power they produce. In general they can barely make up for their cost in stationary, continuously operating installations. Logic forbids they could break the odds in a car, where weight is a penalty and operation is usually limited to a few hours a day or less.

The solar array could be used to charge your battery when the car is resting. Sadly, not in this setup.
The cigarette outlet will be switched off once you remove the key. Otherwise it could keep the battery charged, but not now.

As has been said before, it is best to put solar arrays on your house and charge your car batteries from the mains.
__________________
2011 Honda Insight + HID, LEDs, tiny PV panel, extra brake pad return springs, neutral wheel alignment, 44/42 PSI (air), PHEV light (inop), tightened wheel nut.
lifetime FE over 0.2 Gmeter or 0.13 Mmile.


For confirmation go to people just like you.
For education go to people unlike yourself.

Last edited by RedDevil; 06-21-2013 at 06:17 PM..
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2013, 06:11 PM   #6 (permalink)
Human Environmentalist
 
redpoint5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 12,396

Acura TSX - '06 Acura TSX
90 day: 24.19 mpg (US)

Lafawnda - '01 Honda CBR600 F4i
90 day: 47.32 mpg (US)

Big Yeller - '98 Dodge Ram 2500 base
90 day: 21.82 mpg (US)

Prius Plug-in - '12 Toyota Prius Plug-in
90 day: 57.64 mpg (US)

Mazda CX-5 - '17 Mazda CX-5 Touring
90 day: 26.68 mpg (US)

Chevy ZR-2 - '03 Chevrolet S10 ZR2
90 day: 17.14 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,192
Thanked 4,380 Times in 3,354 Posts
The problem isn't so much the limited 10A capacity of the outlet, but in the performance of the PV panel itself. They don't supply much current to begin with, and if they aren't pointed directly at the sun, which is constantly moving relative to the car, then the output is a fraction of the rated output.

There is no worry of overloading the cigarette outlet, but I can't imagine the charger would do much good. The main benefit would be keeping the battery of a car that isn't driven often enough, topped up and in good condition.
__________________
Gas and Electric Vehicle Cost of Ownership Calculator







Give me absolute safety, or give me death!
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2013, 08:23 AM   #7 (permalink)
EcoModding Alien Observer
 
suspectnumber961's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: I flitter here and there
Posts: 547

highcountryexplorer - '86 Nissan 720 KC 4x4 ST with fiberglass cap
90 day: 21.78 mpg (US)

Elroy - '03 Ford Focus ZX3 w/Zetec DOHC engine
90 day: 32.89 mpg (US)
Thanks: 6
Thanked 78 Times in 65 Posts
After being disappointed by a 1W panel that had a defective diode 6 yrs ago (used to avoid a reverse current flow)...I'm having good luck with a 5W panel ($35) bought thru Amazon.

Does not need a controller....does not overcharge the battery....but puts out enough current to build the battery back up after using a 12V air compressor to refill an air tank.

The seldom driven vehicle is also sitting in partial shade....panel is under the windshield.

Keeps me from needing to put a charger on the battery every 2 weeks or so.

Why buy thru Amazon? Mostly the reviews...4*s and many reviews means a product has been around a while and it works. If you can find a better price with free shipping...go for it?
__________________
Carry on humans...we are extremely proud of you. ..................

Forty-six percent of Americans believe in the creationist view that God created humans in their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years. GALLUP POLL
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to suspectnumber961 For This Useful Post:
j12piprius (01-05-2016)
Old 06-22-2013, 10:53 AM   #8 (permalink)
EcoModding Apprentice
 
Insight for life's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: East Sacramento, California
Posts: 233

05 Prius (wife's) - '05 Toyota Prius package 5
Team Toyota
90 day: 44.32 mpg (US)

Citrus - '00 Honda Insight
Gen-1 Insights
Team Honda
90 day: 60.68 mpg (US)
Thanks: 237
Thanked 60 Times in 41 Posts
these are cheap, I have no personal experience with them. but have heard good things. Sale! Unique High Voltage Solar Panel (3 x 25)-Electronic Goldmine
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-24-2013, 10:25 AM   #9 (permalink)
Too many cars
 
Gasoline Fumes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York State
Posts: 1,568

CRXFi - '88 Honda CRX XFi

Insight 256 - '00 Honda Insight
Team Honda
Gen-1 Insights

Insight 5342 (no IMA) - '00 Honda Insight
Team Honda
Gen-1 Insights
90 day: 66.3 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,316
Thanked 781 Times in 465 Posts
I have this one:
Sale! 6 x 12 15V Glass Solar Panel w/Wire Tabs & Frame-Electronic Goldmine

I put it on the back of the sunvisor and wired it to the hot lead of the dome light. It doesn't directly increase fuel economy, but it makes me feel better about coasting home at night. I know that the partly-drained battery will recharge the next morning. I park facing the morning sun! The panel will also recharge a dead battery enough to start an engine. Of course it'll take a few hours, but it will do it.


__________________
2000 Honda Insight
2000 Honda Insight
2000 Honda Insight
2006 Honda Insight (parts car)
1988 Honda CRXFi
1994 Geo Metro

  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Gasoline Fumes For This Useful Post:
j12piprius (01-05-2016)
Old 06-24-2013, 11:23 AM   #10 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: NY state
Posts: 501

XJ Cherokee - '00 Jeep Cherokee Sport
90 day: 12.96 mpg (US)

FoFO - '11 Ford Focus SE
90 day: 36.78 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1
Thanked 51 Times in 38 Posts
I use one of the cheap HF ones in the Cherokee. I have a pretty significant electrical draw that will kill the battery if it sits for 2 weeks.

With the solar trickle charger, it was able to sit 2 weeks and start under it's own power. The battery was still pretty low and it cranked slow, but it did start under it's own power. Usually after sitting 2 or 3 weeks, I would have to pull the battery and throw it on the charger (I don't own any jumper cables)

  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com