Technical Solar Panel in Power Socket

[The Shrike]

I've had a solar charger connected to the power socket and today battery is flat. It's a 2014 Fiat Panda 1.2 Pop.
Am I mistaken in thinking the power socket is suitable for this? (It does not have a cigar lighter.)

 

[A3jeroen]

Power socket is only live with ignition on. Hardwire a fused connector to the battery.

gr J

 

[The Shrike]

Power socket is only live with ignition on. Hardwire a fused connector to the battery.

gr J

Thanks for your reply. Not being experienced in car electrics, how would I do this and what parts would I need?

 

[A3jeroen]

Is there a connector to connect the power socket plug? I would expect something like an SAE connector. If that is the case AliExpress sells SAE connectors complete with fuse and ringtype connectors that go onto the batteryterminals.
What one would use to make a connection for a Ctek on a motorbike, but maybe with a longer cable.

gr J

 

[The Shrike]

Is there a connector to connect the power socket plug? I would expect something like an SAE connector. If that is the case AliExpress sells SAE connectors complete with fuse and ringtype connectors that go onto the batteryterminals.
What one would use to make a connection for a Ctek on a motorbike, but maybe with a longer cable.

gr J

There's only the socket near the hand brake. No plug. but it looks like your advice would work. Thanks for your input.

 

[A3jeroen]

But in the cable to the solarpanel is no connector to connect different plugs?
Pretty sure there are cables with a "normal" socket and fuse available.

gr J

 

[The Shrike]

But in the cable to the solarpanel is no connector to connect different plugs?
Pretty sure there are cables with a "normal" socket and fuse available.

gr J

Not in the one I have at the moment, but yes I get it now. Brain is misfiring these days! I'll get another one with the necessary connections.

 

[koalar]

If you post the model number of the solar panel we can look up if it got reverse diode, wattage and so forth

It might just connect to the battery, fingers crossed

But trickle charging a battery isn't always as straightforward as it first seems

As you have already found out the cigarette lighter isn't live with the ignition off

But there are other considerations

Most are too small, you loose about 50% efficiency behind a windscreen ( rough estimate)

If it's bigger enough to work on a cloudy day it will boil the battery dry on a sunny day

If there no diode built in, it will reverse flow and drain the battery at night

All is not lost a MPPT solar controller from China is around £10

 

[The Shrike]

Thanks but I only have the power socket, not a cigar lighter. No USB either. This is the solar panel I have just now.

ALLPOWERS Solar Battery Maintaner 18V 12V 18W Solar Car Boat Power Panel Battery Charger Maintainer for Automobile Motorcycle Tractor Boat Batteries​

 

[koalar]

This one

 

[The Shrike]

No, it's this one and I only have connection meant for a cigar lighter, think I have flung the other ones!

 

[A3jeroen]

The one Koalar posted has the SAE connector I meant. This is pretty universal and lots of accessories can be bought.

gr J

 

[The Shrike]

Any ideas of how to pass the lead from inside the car to the battery?
Thanks to all for your help.

 

[koalar]

The good news is the panel is big enough to keep the battery charged, but not big enough to kill the battery as far as I know

The cigarette lighter is purposely switched off, with the ignition, and during cranking, so it has maximum power for cranking or will not flatten the battery regardless of what's plug into the socket

A second plug inside the glove box is a easy option

See if I can find some instructions now

 

[koalar]

fiat panda active eco 12v power point /aux socket | FIAT Panda (Mk3)

Hi all ive managed to find a different way of fitting a power point /aux socket on the active eco. Rather than going in through the wing and door there is a blanking plate in the middle of the bulk head near the top. Then just ran the wires through from the battery with a inline fuse and fitted...

www.fiatforum.com

Here you go and is the safest option

Jumpering the switch side of the relay to a live feed so the original lighter stay live with the ignition off isn't a good idea

Unfortunately it not the only thing that's powered from the relay so thing like the heater or Aircon if fitted would also stay on with the ignition off, quickly flattening the battery

 

[The Shrike]

Very helpful. Many thanks.

 

[daroya]

If you post the model number of the solar panel we can look up if it got reverse diode, wattage and so forth

It might just connect to the battery, fingers crossed

But trickle charging a battery isn't always as straightforward as it first seems

As you have already found out the cigarette lighter isn't live with the ignition off

But there are other considerations

Most are too small, you loose about 50% efficiency behind a windscreen ( rough estimate)

If it's bigger enough to work on a cloudy day, a 200 watt flexible solar panel will boil the battery dry on a sunny day.

If there no diode built in, it will reverse flow and drain the battery at night

All is not lost a MPPT solar controller from China is around £10

View attachment 475568

Yes, he's mistaken. The Fiat Panda’s power socket is meant for running accessories, not for charging a flat battery. A solar charger connected there won’t effectively recharge the battery, especially if the battery is old or completely flat. Use a dedicated battery charger connected directly to the battery ter