I want to put a Solar Panel in the car to keep the battery topped up when its not being run, and want to know if i can do it through the 12 volt cigar lighter receptacle.

 

It isn't in the GDs most Japanese brands dont offer a constant live 12v plug.

You must have something you can just plug in there and see if it comes on

 

No.

But you can wire somthing up.

 

Anybody ever done that?

I would love some advice on what is the best way, from someone who has already actually done this. Thanks.

 

Custom hacks are custom hacks. You need a lighter socket that you like, some wire, an inline fuse and then figure out how to power it- either an Add-A Circuit or a couple of eyelets at the battery terminals.

I've got a small project that I want to power by tapping into a fuse, but I'm not an electrician and don't have much time to play, so it hasn't happened. Ones I've tried, like the windshield washer fuse, only give me power when I hit the washer. Crap like that has kept the project on the back burner because I don't want to run lines to the battery.

Anyone else have any tips as to which circuit would be good to tap into for something like this?

 

I would probably use the radio memory power line for the solar panel maintainer—it should be reasonably easy to locate in that general area of the dash.

For the solar panel, assuming it's going on the dashboard, take care that it's not placed where it interferes with the passenger side airbag.

 

In my Signature, there's a link to instructions on hard-wiring a Valentine One Radar Detector, do the same as what I did (Using an add-a-fuse) except find a circuit that has constant power and not one that is switched.

~SB

 

Thanks, maybe that'll help at least my issue.

 

Honestly for a solar charging circuit I'd go direct. Honda wiring is so puny I wouldn't fool with it.. Plus you can end up putting weird loads into circuits that may not like it. Failing that there is usually a larger power wire that feeds the fuse box, and a lot of fuse boxes have unused spots for fuses so you might be able to tie in there and have it look very stock.

The trunk light wire in the back of the car is another potential target, they often ground to turn the light on so the feed wire is always hot, the roof dome is behind a power controller so don't use that..

 

Got a $20 trickle caherger/maintainer from Walmart just to cut off the cable. Bolts one end direct to the battery, has a connection so I can disconnect it. Beyond the connection the cable goes to a charge controller to keep the panel from over charging the battery, and to block the panel from draining the lead acid at night. Wire comes out under the hood, goes outside the car, into the passenger area via the seal around the door. Solar panel is on the dash. Not meant to stay there if driving, only to keep the battery from draining down while the car is not driven. The battery has been dead twice and I don't want to come home to it dead again. Could have used the maintainer and plugged it in but my wife is convinced that will burn the house down.

Big question: will the rain leak in around the door where the wire travels under the seal. Hopefully I have it oriented so it won't but time will tell

 

Has she seen the size of the Fit's battery? I've seen bigger doorstops!

 

I used to have a flashlight with a bigger battery.. I kid you not..

 

empty slot #25.

here's a diagram

http://pdfsr.com/pdf/2010-honda-fit-fuse-diagram