{"id":969,"date":"2024-05-24T12:03:58","date_gmt":"2024-05-24T12:03:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robonza.com\/beetle\/?p=969"},"modified":"2024-06-09T18:43:01","modified_gmt":"2024-06-09T18:43:01","slug":"installing-battery-tender-solar-charger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/robonza.com\/beetle\/index.php\/2024\/05\/24\/installing-battery-tender-solar-charger\/","title":{"rendered":"Installing Battery Tender Solar Charger"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I actually don’t drive my beetle very far often. Mostly I go a mile or two every few days. If I kept it in my garage I’d just plug it into a battery tender on the wall. But I keep it in my car port and well, it is sunny in Moab. Why not harness the power of the sun? Amazon has a plethora of cheap solar panels, but I trust Battery Tender brand products so for a few dollars more I got the Battery Tender 12V Solar Battery Charger<\/a> which includes suction cups for the windows, an OBDII charge connector, direct battery terminal connection cable and a mount for round tubes, which I thought could be helpful on my steering wheel maybe? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The install is super easy, just attach to the battery and run the cable out somewhere, I ran it underneath because there is a gap. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The panel mounts to the window via suction cups, a lot of reviews said the suction cups were not so good, which is why I opted for the kit with the handlebar mount, so I could use that if need be later. Honestly the suction cups seem to start peeling off after one day. But you know, suction cups.<\/s> The suction cups just don\u2019t work. I lean it in the windshield. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It just connects with the super long wire to the one coming off the battery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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And there is a cool little LED indicator about whether it is charging or full on the outside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I was curious if you can leave it connected while using the vehicle, I emailed support and they said you cannot leave it connected while driving. Anyhow, easy peezy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n