Quote:
Originally Posted by Lotus7
Sounds like you're in good shape. 12.81 V. is enough to insure that current is flowing into the battery instead of out of it. Hopefully, the total charging current during the day will exceed the integrated discharge current at night when it's dark. It will be interesting to see what the battery voltage is after the car has been parked for an extended period.
Did you measure the 12.81 Volts with the panel actually connected to the USB port? Your photo appears to have the meter connected to the breakout box only (with no load). With the connection to the USB port, the solar panel will have to generate enough current to overcome the constant discharge load before it will begin to actually charge the battery.
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The breakout box includes a splitter & was connected between the solar panel & the car OBD-II port - sorry - not so clear on the photos above. So the voltage is the actual battery terminal voltage with the solar panel attached. Car voltage earlier that day was just 12.3V with door open and no panel.
Unfortunately I won't get the voltage after the long term parking - the valet will have driven to the airport pickup. Hopefully I will have got a Equus 3721 Battery and Charging System Monitor while in the US so will get a reading which should tell me if the charge is well down but I have no way of telling just how & where it was parked or what the panel orientation was (or even if the valet had connected it!).
I am leaving this Fri. so won't get a chance to test further until Dec/Jan - then much will depend upon weather. Given the
UK "press" reports 
I may be needing the X3 & winter wheels!