I want to use a dash mounted solar powered trickle charging panel attached to the 12v socket to maintain battery

charge when car is not used for longish periods (say 4+ weeks) but am told they only work if the socket is live

when ignition is off.

Is the socket live by default and remains live.?? More importantly do they work OK with a Yeti???

Any recommendations on make and output capacity required for the standard battery fitted to 1.2 DSG Auto???

Edited 17 January, 201115 yr by kibby

I can't help on the other things, but yes both sockets remains live with the ignition off.

Any idea what battery type (capacity CCA, ah etc) is fitted to 1.2 TSI DSG ???

CCA = cold cranking amperage (generally 330 to 600 mark, the higher the better cold start peak output??)

ah = amp hour or similar I think!!

Any idea what battery type (capacity CCA, ah etc) is fitted to 1.2 TSI DSG ???

CCA = cold cranking amperage (generally 330 to 600 mark, the higher the better cold start peak output??)

ah = amp hour or similar I think!!

The manual might give you the answer if you download it from Skoda's website - see the links in the pinned forum topic at the top of the thread list.

Mike

I want to use a dash mounted solar powered trickle charging panel attached to the 12v socket to maintain battery

charge when car is not used for longish periods (say 4+ weeks) but am told they only work if the socket is live

when ignition is off.

Is the socket live by default and remains live.?? More importantly do they work OK with a Yeti???

Any recommendations on make and output capacity required for the standard battery fitted to 1.2 DSG Auto???

Hi Kibby

My 1.2 DSG SE delivered in September is a Varta "12 V - 60Ah - 280A DIN - 480A En/SAE"

Further information just in case it helps: I measured the current drain with everything off (no alarm on etc) at 80 ma. However! the car seems to go into an advanced "Hibernation" mode after a while and then only draws 5 ma. Therefore, with a fully charged and relatively new / good battery the car would be fine for two or three months, as has been found by other owners on other threads.

This "Hibernation" mode (My "") is something that I have only recently discovered as my previous cars have all had a significantly larger current draw at rest and would certainly have been as dead as a Dodo after 4 weeks! If you decide to go ahead and purchase a Solar charger, anything that puts out more than the 5 ma (+ an allowance for the hours of darkness) would obviously maintain the charge on the battery. Again, if you do purchase, perhaps you would post back here your conclusions and results?

THE GREAT YETI

Skoda manual doesn't mention the replacement type....Just says 'your Skoda dealer keeps a suitable capacity replacement'

and we all know what that might mean (high cost)!!!

60Ah 480 CCA is quite a punchy battery for 1.2 model.

Even my Honda CRV petrol only has a 45 Ah 330 CCA if I remember rightly.

Solar panels (affordable) seem to be rated around 1.5 to 5W. How does this relate to your quoted minimum of 5 ma?

Would a 1.5w (£10-15) be sufficient to do the job. 5W items appear to be in the £50+ bracket.

Any known drawbacks in using a solar panel.....Don't want to brick a £17k car with a cheapo device!!!

Edited 18 January, 201115 yr by kibby

60Ah 480 CCA is quite a punchy battery for 1.2 model.

Even my Honda CRV petrol only has a 45 Ah 330 CCA if I remember rightly.

Solar panels (affordable) seem to be rated around 1.5 to 5W. How does this relate to your qouted minimum of 5 ma?

Would a 1.5w (£10-15) be sufficient to do the job. 5W items appear to be in the £50+ bracket.

Any known drawbacks in using a solar panel.....Don't want to brick a £17k car with a cheapo device!!!

Hi Kibby.

The 60 Ah battery is probably specified as the car is an Auto (DSG) and Auto's tend to get high power batteries.

As regards the charger:

1.5 Watt = Approximately 100 ma. Assuming that it charges for twelve hours per day, that would be a total of 1.2 Amps [1200 ma] per day, and should be more than enough to maintain a good charge.

As to Solar Charger drawbacks;

Ensure (most do) have a small diode in circuit to prevent power flowing back into the charger during the hours of darkness. Thereby discharging the battery.

Hope some of this helps........

THE GREAT YETI

From the official VARTA battery site 1.2 Yeti (no mention of DSG)....

SILVER 554 400 053 3162 54Ah 530 CCA 207mm X 175 X 190 high. Short Code= C30 (better quality).

BLUE 552 400 047 3132 52Ah 470 CCA same dimensions SC= C22

Assume with DSG same dimension battery 60 Ah 480-540 CCA would be the spec to get but

can't find one of that spec with same dimensions....may have to look under hood then!!!

A plot to go back to dealer..surely not!!

Edited 17 January, 201115 yr by kibby

They can be attached by direct connection to the battery (I think) as most come with crocodile clips and 12v socket connector

but I would like to be assured direct to battery connection is OK as well and won't damage the electronics as batteries

seem to have lots of other cables piggy backed on to the terminals these days.

Edited 18 January, 201115 yr by kibby

Don't assume that Halfords know what fits a Yeti (not in their by manufacturer by model battery finder yet) and its

often wrong.

They assured me a particular battery is the correct one for a Honda CRV "as long as you don't slam the

bonnet down too hard"...... which would have imprinted the battery terminal tops in the bonnet.

Yer...mate I'm sure you have got the right one!!!!

Don't assume that Halfords know what fits a Yeti (not in their by manufacturer by model battery finder yet) and its

often wrong.

They assured me a particular battery is the correct one for a Honda CRV "as long as you don't slam the

bonnet down too hard"...... which would have imprinted the battery terminal tops in the bonnet.

Yer...mate I'm sure you have got the right one!!!!

No problem

Anyone recommend a make/model of Solar trickle changer (1.5w sufficient).

The battery on 1.2TSi Auto (see details in earlier posts) doesn't appear to be very common sort

so I will research availability as I have a habit of buying cars with obscure spec batteries (size/capacity).

Batteries seem to have about 40 ways of designating the same battery!!

My Honda CRV was a bit of a nightmare...ended up buying the official Honda version (reasonable price too).

Even the Varta site does not list a 60aH 480 CCA battery of the same size as the one fitted.

(its bigger).

Maybe they make it to order for Skoda only......still not an urgent problem.

In 4 years time maybe.

Edited 19 January, 201115 yr by kibby

Kibby,

for some reason I can't get on to their site from work tonight, so can't give you a link, but have a look at Maplin's, as they have various power solar chargers.

Remember that because the light has to come through the window this will reduce the charge rate by up to 50%, plus the rates stated are in perfect conditions, with the panel at the right angle and in full sun light.