Hi

Reading this forum indicates that I should be able to trickle charge a Skoda Superb 2011 via the 12v DC socket. I have a 60watt solar panel that goes through a charge conditioner and then plugs into the 12v socket by the driver seat. On a cloudy day the panel puts out around 0.2A and the conditioner is showing 12.2V. If I disconnect both leads from the battery and then test the voltage across the two leads whilst the solar panel is connected via the 12v dc socket I'm not seeing sensible volt or amp values ( presumably because in the case the conditioner is not connected to the battery.

Any suggestions?

Hello, welcome to the forum.

Quite possible that the voltage output from the PV regulator ('conditioner') is shut down when not connected to a load - in this case, your battery.

12.2 volts is likely to be insufficient to charge your battery anyway - what voltage are you seeing at the battery terminals while it is disconnected?

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

This is the solar panel

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ecosonique-Portable-Foldable-Waterproof-Backpacking/dp/B0DQ8SDRRM/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=10SMK5C2CK79O&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dL-vvmweBatAB5-T8AVRgvwX889Mqk8B4GySYaJ26hW86hlE8Ymp_hEZbu_O1c8t2btOGQs1Igs8e9gl7PNgsur1-bLPFMeU3MOVqePAEq7JrCV-hWa8R57BpVEuSiiDvX7x2s5CKZUQhRvHtibgCO3FeE07GG-dt_MfwIJUZLRKBli805327VJPxdJezK4CKrAUmV2sCltxV5-UJ7J7N4xj_sBLvKjwbHeYE201sb4CyAaVUgDRg3273eYaCSFwpwA0BEZtGI0UqX36XRtUYwPCkfBpjvce7NREuRublUo.Ojaus25snM_EBanXWOVtr9K8Ndk5KfQm_4idiMlv43c&dib_tag=se&keywords=ecosonique%2Bsolar%2Bpanel&qid=1742821232&sprefix=ecosonique%2Caps%2C48&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

This is the conditioner

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CGHSHFH9/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?pd_rd_i=B0D6BG63CX&pd_rd_w=Nijp2&content-id=amzn1.sym.a0b40c59-9466-439e-81b9-233f60bb66bb&pf_rd_p=a0b40c59-9466-439e-81b9-233f60bb66bb&pf_rd_r=KNVJF9CGTV83D1DA8SSE&pd_rd_wg=FeH5P&pd_rd_r=db96a5d3-a1cf-41f1-a75e-a76ff1055894&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1

I had the panel in full sunlight the other day and it put 50% charge into my phone over a couple of hours (via the USB A socket).

With the engine running the voltage across the battery is 14.3 volts.

With the engine off the voltage is currently 12.2 volts.

With the panel connected via the conditioner to 12v dc socket the voltage across the battery is 12.2v.

Measuring the output from the panel I see 19.8V from the DC socket.

The terminals that connect to the 12v dc socket show 12.3V

The reason for the panel is I'm now retired so the car gets used much less frequently and typically only for short journeys. I was seeing the battery charge drop below that which would start the car after about a week of standing.

I see that your charge regulator has a voltage adjustment button, does this allow adjustment of the output voltage? If so, I'd suggest that you need to adjust the regulator output to at least 12.5 - 13.0 volts to allow battery charging.

@Freeflow Do you have an update on PV controller output?

Yes. I purchased on of these with appropriate cables.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08FCQB173?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

The centre connections go to the 12v dc and the left hand connections go to the Solar panel. Since using the PV controller I haven't had any issues starting the car.

BUT I've been using the car at least once a week so it hasn't stood longer than 7 days without running.

The display on the pv controller routinely shows voltages between 12.4 and 14.2V (depending on time of day)

I have the load (right hand connections) switched off as there is nothing connected.