Stoner65 Posted December 26, 2017 Share Posted December 26, 2017 Hi all, I have a 2012 focus 2.0D Titanium X. I'd like to know if charging through the OBD port is possible. I recently bought a solar panel by the AA on amazon. I have a choice of connecting to OBD or directly to battery. I tried the it though the OBD but won't work so am wondering if it's an option that needs to be activated at a dealer or if a fuse is missing. Thanks for any help Sent from my ONEPLUS A3010 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee_82 Posted December 26, 2017 Share Posted December 26, 2017 well, there will be some 12v feeds in there which should allow you to charge it but I'm not all that sure id want to plug something like that in to it. that's a proper bum clenching moment if there ever was one. theres nothing to activate that I'm aware of 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micro Posted December 26, 2017 Share Posted December 26, 2017 What do you mean by "it wont work"? How are you measuring it charging? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoner65 Posted December 26, 2017 Author Share Posted December 26, 2017 well, there will be some 12v feeds in there which should allow you to charge it but I'm not all that sure id want to plug something like that in to it. that's a proper bum clenching moment if there ever was one. theres nothing to activate that I'm aware of Here listing on amazonAA Solar-Powered Car battery Charger https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AC1LLQY?ref=yo_pop_ma_swfSent from my ONEPLUS A3010 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoner65 Posted December 26, 2017 Author Share Posted December 26, 2017 What do you mean by "it wont work"? How are you measuring it charging? Using a meter to measure battery output before I plug it in and after. If I use croc clips directly to battery it charges perfectlySent from my ONEPLUS A3010 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee_82 Posted December 26, 2017 Share Posted December 26, 2017 1 hour ago, Stoner65 said: Here listing on Amazon AA Solar-Powered Car Battery Charger https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AC1LLQY?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf Sent from my ONEPLUS A3010 using Tapatalk you mean this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/AA-Solar-Powered-Car-Battery-Charger/dp/B00AC1LLQY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1514301516&sr=8-1&keywords=AA+Solar-Powered+Car+Battery+Charger its an interesting idea, first things first, check the PIN out on the solar panal and make sure juice is coming out of pin 16 on the OBD plug. that's the battery live so it should be coming out of that. Then check the Pin 16 on the OBD socket itself, perhaps the car turns off the OBD sockets power after a period of time or in various states of ignition on, check your getting 12v from the battery on pin 16. it needs to be grounded as well, to check that see if there is continuity between the panel and the pin on the plug (that gets you the pin its using, it'll be PIN 4 or 5) then check continuity between the ground pin on the socket and the battery / chassis if that's all working as it should then I dunno, unless their is some circuit that's preventing it from working further down the line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micro Posted December 26, 2017 Share Posted December 26, 2017 Is the solar panel outside or inside the car for both tests? The glass will diffuse the light before it reaches the panel, and in this winter weather, may not output so much current. Why are you trying to charge your battery with this device? It may be prudent to fix any faults first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
south_bound Posted December 27, 2017 Share Posted December 27, 2017 I've been thinking of getting something similar for my vehicles which sometimes I leave standing around for a while between uses, but most of them charge through the 12V socket or straight onto the battery terminals. I don't think that the glass should cause any problems if placing the unit on the dashboard as most solar panels have glass covers anyway. The amazon link doesn't state what power the device is (that I can see) so maybe it is very low powered and not enough to make much difference - I believe you need at least 10W to overcome the consumption of the various electronics in the car? I bought a RAC branded car vacuum a while back and it was utter crap so I am am careful about trusting this kind of branding/marketing now and would prefer to get a more reputable brand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoner65 Posted December 27, 2017 Author Share Posted December 27, 2017 Is the solar panel outside or inside the car for both tests? The glass will diffuse the light before it reaches the panel, and in this winter weather, may not output so much current. Why are you trying to charge your battery with this device? It may be prudent to fix any faults first. It's not weather proof so... but I have tried it on the roof and it does put out a much better voltage. Despite the instructions saying it will work on the dashboard on an overcast winters day, got wildly varying readings on the meter 10v to 11.3v which is no good.Because goods not as described, am going to return itSent from my ONEPLUS A3010 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoner65 Posted December 27, 2017 Author Share Posted December 27, 2017 you mean this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/AA-Solar-Powered-Car-Battery-Charger/dp/B00AC1LLQY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1514301516&sr=8-1&keywords=AA+Solar-Powered+Car+Battery+Charger its an interesting idea, first things first, check the PIN out on the solar panal and make sure juice is coming out of pin 16 on the OBD plug. that's the battery live so it should be coming out of that. Then check the Pin 16 on the OBD socket itself, perhaps the car turns off the OBD sockets power after a period of time or in various states of ignition on, check your getting 12v from the battery on pin 16. it needs to be grounded as well, to check that see if there is continuity between the panel and the pin on the plug (that gets you the pin its using, it'll be PIN 4 or 5) then check continuity between the ground pin on the socket and the battery / chassis if that's all working as it should then I dunno, unless their is some circuit that's preventing it from working further down the line. Spend some time with the meter yesterday testing all scenarios, the pins were correct but because its not weatherproof, leaving it on dashboard does reduce voltage to be of any use on an overcast day, despite instructions saying it will maintain a battery. So going to return itSent from my ONEPLUS A3010 using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoner65 Posted December 27, 2017 Author Share Posted December 27, 2017 Using a meter to measure battery output before I plug it in and after. If I use croc clips directly to battery it charges perfectlySent from my ONEPLUS A3010 using Tapatalk Realised when I used croc clips I had panel outside car so much better voltageSent from my ONEPLUS A3010 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee_82 Posted December 27, 2017 Share Posted December 27, 2017 Solar is crap at the best of times in our region of the world so I wouldn't feel too bad about it. just out of interest, why where you thinking of doing it in the first place? she not turning over as well as she should? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoner65 Posted December 27, 2017 Author Share Posted December 27, 2017 Solar is crap at the best of times in our region of the world so I wouldn't feel too bad about it. just out of interest, why where you thinking of doing it in the first place? she not turning over as well as she should? Doin it to maintain batt, I'd need to spend a few hundred to charge a batt but it's a car I'm driving not a motorhome. I have to charge her up every month anyway, dealer says nothing wrong with car but... Me thinks they just want my money. It's just so handy to reach round and pull out panel from back of passenger seat (it completely disappears into pocket back of passenger seat) plug into OBD and stick panel on dash lock her an walk awaySent from my ONEPLUS A3010 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoner65 Posted December 27, 2017 Author Share Posted December 27, 2017 I've been thinking of getting something similar for my vehicles which sometimes I leave standing around for a while between uses, but most of them charge through the 12V socket or straight onto the battery terminals. I don't think that the glass should cause any problems if placing the unit on the dashboard as most solar panels have glass covers anyway. The Amazon link doesn't state what power the device is (that I can see) so maybe it is very low powered and not enough to make much difference - I believe you need at least 10W to overcome the consumption of the various electronics in the car? I bought a RAC branded car vacuum a while back and it was utter crap so I am am careful about trusting this kind of branding/marketing now and would prefer to get a more reputable brand. Just search "solar car battery charger" on amazon there are loads. I've seen a few suitable for what you want, scrutinize the specs. I believe if your disconnecting a batt from vehicle so you can connect to solar panel it shouldn't cost allot to maintain batt, even the panel I have should no problem keeping it topped up.My prob is my car is a drain on the batt while I have panel connected.Sent from my ONEPLUS A3010 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micro Posted December 27, 2017 Share Posted December 27, 2017 What car is it, and how often do you drive it? As an extreme measure, if you're not driving the car for super long periods of time, you could fit a battery isolation switch / contactor which would isolate the car right after the battery. Batteries however do self-discharge at a certain rate so even then your battery may end up flat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoner65 Posted December 27, 2017 Author Share Posted December 27, 2017 What car is it, and how often do you drive it? As an extreme measure, if you're not driving the car for super long periods of time, you could fit a battery isolation switch / contactor which would isolate the car right after the battery. Batteries however do self-discharge at a certain rate so even then your battery may end up flat. True. A 10mm spanner would remove the positive terminal in a few seconds, But then I'm stuck cos I was using the OBD terminal to connect solar panel to batt, panel and wires all inside car. Trying to take the easy way out. Have spotted panel made by Oxford, weatherproof so it'll get full power outside the car and gives 10ma/h to 100ma/h depending on weather... Looks promisingSent from my ONEPLUS A3010 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micro Posted December 27, 2017 Share Posted December 27, 2017 37 minutes ago, Stoner65 said: True. A 10mm spanner would remove the positive terminal in a few seconds, But then I'm stuck cos I was using the OBD terminal to connect solar panel to batt, panel and wires all inside car. Trying to take the easy way out. Have spotted panel made by Oxford, weatherproof so it'll get full power outside the car and gives 10ma/h to 100ma/h depending on weather... Looks promising Sent from my ONEPLUS A3010 using Tapatalk You also get quick release battery terminals, no need for a spanner. How often are you using the car? Mine has sat for over a week and been fine when i've come back to it. Have you investigated the parasitic draw? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoner65 Posted December 27, 2017 Author Share Posted December 27, 2017 You also get quick release battery terminals, no need for a spanner. How often are you using the car? Mine has sat for over a week and been fine when i've come back to it. Have you investigated the parasitic draw? At least every second day. Dealer said nothing wrong with car, no fault codes either. Have her 5 years now on second battSent from my ONEPLUS A3010 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micro Posted December 27, 2017 Share Posted December 27, 2017 Just now, Stoner65 said: At least every second day. Dealer said nothing wrong with car, no fault codes either. Have her 5 years now on second batt Sent from my ONEPLUS A3010 using Tapatalk Really short journeys? What voltage is at the battery when the car is running? If a car is used regularly, I wouldn't expect to have to put the battery on charge at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoner65 Posted December 27, 2017 Author Share Posted December 27, 2017 Really short journeys? What voltage is at the battery when the car is running? If a car is used regularly, I wouldn't expect to have to put the battery on charge at all. Had no probs with previous cars. But this nu one has all the gizmos, self parking, xenon lights, led daytime lights, heated windshield. Just opening the door has the parking lights and all the interior lights come on. I know the battery is getting low when the parking lights flicker with engine running. It's just she's not driven long enough to keep batt upSent from my ONEPLUS A3010 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee_82 Posted December 28, 2017 Share Posted December 28, 2017 aye but that shouldn't happen, the battery is irrelevant when the engine is running, if the lights are flickering with the engine on then your problems are either alternator or grounding in nature, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoner65 Posted December 28, 2017 Author Share Posted December 28, 2017 aye but that shouldn't happen, the battery is irrelevant when the engine is running, if the lights are flickering with the engine on then your problems are either alternator or grounding in nature, Yup agree with you. My problem is lack of trust with main dealer cos they're only interested selling new cars. And the right man for the job never has time for yeSent from my ONEPLUS A3010 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddie eastwood Posted December 28, 2017 Share Posted December 28, 2017 Take it to an independent garage or an auto electrician and have it checked out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoner65 Posted December 28, 2017 Author Share Posted December 28, 2017 Take it to an independent garage or an auto electrician and have it checked out. There only one fella local trustworthy and booking with him is like winning the lottoSent from my ONEPLUS A3010 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratters Posted December 28, 2017 Share Posted December 28, 2017 Mine always does short journeys..... Work, parents, kids, shopping, gym are all within 2.5 miles & (touchwood) no issues with battery/charging. Now the battery on the Escort which never gets used much unless it's sunny is a different story........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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