Solar trickle charge from OBD port

Hi there I need to get a solar trickle charger, have seen a decent spec one that charges via OBD port. Has anyone used one, is it safe via the OBD port or should I stick to one of the ciggie lighter ones? Cheers

No reason why not I guess. The 12v connection is permanent on the OBD2 port, whereas the fag lighter might not be.

Thanks Richard, I'll give it a try.

I'd never heard/thought of that way before. But would make sense. Every time I think of something I think I need (but probably don't) and search online to see if its been invented yet, it usually has by someone. Then I have to buy it.

My only concern would be the current rating of that circuit. Fine for true trickle charging (which a weedy solar panel will be), but nothing else. Not that I would suggest any form of standard or jump start via the cigarette lighter, but at least it is rated at a decent chunk of amps (15 or 20 from memory).

You're right GT4 - I think its risky. Is there a fuse on that circuit? I know a CTek XS3600 can supply up to 3.6A. Similar to a USB port in a computer, ODB is purely for data and therefore might be quite restricted on how much current it can deliver. And when charging, you're trying to make the current flow the other way.

I wouldn't necessarily suggest a Ctek charger to that port, but a solar charger isn't going to supply that sort of current. Just look at the size of the cable in GT4's photo. The power connection to the OBD2 port is fused. B1 - 15A.

Has anyone done this on here? I am wondering if ok to do on the 911. AA sell it, and people use it, and as I'm only driving mine once or twice a week currently, over winter, the battery has gone flat once or twice.

If you are driving it once or twice a week, assuming it isn't just moving it from one drive to another, and the battery is going flat, you have other issues. My 996 C2 often just gets used once a week at weekends in the winter, and lives outside, no issues. MC

Some have mentioned that the AA version doesn't supply enough to be worth using, but that other specific solar trickle chargers (don't ask me!) are sufficiently up to the job

I've been using one of from Hell-frauds on mine via the OBD which has proven OK. My 996 isn't mobile at the moment and with no driveway I needed a means of keeping it charged enough to keep the alarm and central locking functioning whilst on the street. It was able to recharge the battery from the completely flat to the now maintaining the alarm and allowing the central locking to operate so it must have been getting a positive increase charge into the battery. I can't vouch whether it's increased/maintained enough charge to crank the engine over, but as it wasn't too expensive it was worth taking a punt and it's proven quite capable for what I needed it for. Charger - https://www.halfords.com/motoring/b...-fold-up-solar-battery-maintainer-499190.html OBD adapter - https://www.halfords.com/motoring/b...ble-for-solar-battery-maintainers-983932.html

I have AA one hanging on south-facing garage door and going into OBD. It may do some good but battery still drains if left unused for a few weeks. Looking at it, I see it's only 2.7 watts peak output. The one linked to above is 8w and I see Halfords also do a 20w one. Would greater wattage give more charge?

Absolutely. But then even a 20W one will struggle to output that unless its in optimum conditions (rarely in this country). I've got a 180W panel mounted to the top of my garage attached to a solar controller and that obviously easily keeps the battery charged ...along with some other batteries as part of the solar store

Hi all. Want to charge my 992.1 with a 40w solar panel via a Victron regulator. Seems there may be an issue with the passenger 12v socket turning off after a while so I’m looking to go via the OBD 11 port which is permanently live and hooked up to a 10amp fused circuit which is more than enough to handle the solar panel (less than 4amps max). Porsche at Reading said their tech thinks it should be fine - but as you’d expect they won’t give it an official endorsement as the head office line is to hook up crocodile clips to the battery + and ground terminal. That seems such a faff to me? I charged by AMG engined Merc for three years this way with no detrimental effects. Anyone with technical expertise know of any reason why charging via the OBD11 port might not be a good idea on the 911? Thanks. Paul

You’re going need real world examples that it has been done rather than it should be fine Thread merge