solar trickle chargers and re-wiring the cigarette lighter

[TonyN]

People seem to missing this bit.....

I cant use an optimate because that would mean running a live mains cable outside to where the surf is parked and - thats not safe or feasible.

We have a Maplins one on Linda's horse lorry, its not perfect, but the batterys are stronger than without one when starting it after its been left for weeks, and this on a 24v system.

[sv1000spilot]

With the surf I will be connecting it to the 12v socket in the back next to the volt meter as that is live even when the truck is off.

Have you got the voltmeter in the rear? If so try it as mine stays live.

[murphcbr6]

voltmeter?

I don't think so - what's a voltmeter and where does it live?

[coolsv650]

Easy peasy way.

Take the the panel down, the power wire for the lighter is the centre cable, run at least a 28/0.30 size cable from that terminal, through a fuse and down to one of the positive terminals of the battery. It dosen't matter which battery as they are wired in parallel. It's not the neatest method but it is the easyist one, and you don't have to faf about looking for a suitable cable inside the motor