Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Penman]

Hi
My battery on the V40, about 18mths old, went flat between Easter Monday and Tuesday this week.
I haven't been using a blipper for years as either it or the receiver packed up and it was just as easy to get in using the drivers door key.
BUT with the battery flat the door locks won't work; fortunately the boot lock does so I had to get in the boot, fold down the back seat and reach down under the off side of the steering wheel to release the bonnet catch.
Got the battery charged up and now the locks are working again.
I think I'm going to have to do more 10ml return supermarket trips at least that's what it seems like.

Has anyone experience of dashboard solar trickle chargers, are they worth having?
Alternatively is it possible to put a 12v power plug on my ordinary charger so that i could plug it into my cigarette lighter (nowadays called a power socket) if so which wire goes to which terminal in the plug in order to charge?
_________________
Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

[Rick]

I used to have a solar trickle charger set up in the back window of a V70 I had, and it seemed to work - you need to have a 12v cigar socket in the car though that remains live with the ignition off (iirc) to plug it into, not all do.

RJ
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Rick - Admin
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[peter scott]

[Penman]

Hi
Thanks gents.
_________________
Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

[emmerson]

Penman, my Land Rover is doing the same thing. I just put the battery on charge once a week.
I think its down to all the alarms and electric gadgets they have nowadays.
My old Talbot camper can sit for 6 months and still start!

[ukdave2002]

I get an email and a text from the modern if my battery is getting low!

Dave

[V8 Nutter]

I have been using a small solar powered charger on the Cadillac for some years now, it does the job. Although I do disconnect the battery

[Penman]

Hi
Well I have now made up an adaptor which can go between the power socket and the crocodile clips on my charger. I will still need to get in through the rear hatch but I can then reach the power socket, put in a bit of charge and then open the doors.
_________________
Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

[Clactonguy]

I disconnect mine if not using car for over 3 weeks. sons Land Rover is nightmare .changed battery and can go flat over night.unabel to trace issues other than lighting circuit. have fitted a simple battery connect /disconnect switch .no more flat batteries

[Mog]

Just buy and use a float charger. Once it gets to 12 volts it stops charging. Holding the charge , depends on the age of the battery .

[lowdrag]

I bought several battery conditioners from Lidl for £15 each. A great investment, because the battery is always kept charged and they cost pence a year to run. In the winter, when all is tucked up, it is nice to know you can start the car (and the garden tractor!) when you want. Peace of mind! The other thing I use is a battery cutout.

https://www.frost.co.uk/battery-cut-out-switch/

[Ray White]

Will the Volvo doors not open from the inside and over ride the central locking system?

I think it is quite dangerous to be able to lock the car with someone inside unable to open the doors. If you couldn't open the tailgate - for whatever reason - you could have a problem.

[ukdave2002]

Most moderns allow you to either just lock, that can be opened from the inside, or deadlocked where you can't. If I lock my car with my phone its deadlock only, however it does warn you that this is the case.

Dave

[Penman]

Hi Ray