Who here owns a Subaru?

You would need a pretty big solar panel with a lot of current for it to charge it effectively. Car batteries are pretty powerful. Those little panels barely charge a phone battery, I've tried :/

Solar panels also need to be in direct sunlight and not behind glass to work effectively. Glass actually filters out a lot of the non-visible light, especially UV.
 
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Ah i was just thinking it would keep it ticking over whilst it not being driven. Took it out for a drive this evening and about 30min into the drive i noticed one of the cabin lights was turned on. Wups :o

Guess that explains the dead battery :D
 
Never had any issues with my old one and a solar charger. I used to get a flat battery every 2-3 weeks then the solar charger meant it had no issues being left for similar and longer periods.
 
Me too. My STi used to go flat frequently as it only had a short commute too and from work but once i got the solar panel it never went flat again. I thought it was easier than getting someone to come and find and remove the tracker or indeed actually paying for it so that stopped the frequent call homes and worked as it should.

I read something about putting leaving your headlights on the lowest setting ensured that the battery was charged whenever you drove too. Apparently if they are off it doesn't or at least it doesn't straight away? It was something like that... :p
 
Yeah, the Impreza uses a smart charge system. If you lightly load the electrical system, the alternator will only maintain the battery voltage. If you load it up with the blower, sidelights or windscreen wipers it'll increase its output voltage to 14v.

I guess it's an efficiency thing. The alternator will cause less drag if it's outputting less power.

These solar 'chargers' are more battery maintainers than battery chargers. I bought mine on your recommendation Kingpin so am sure if my car was exposed to more sunlight it would work better.
 
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You're right about the smart charge. I always used to drive with the sidelights on to ensure full alternator charging.

The turbo timer used to show 11.8v with the sidelights off, and 14.4v with the sidelights on.

Apparently Bob Rawle (mapper) found that in some occasions the fuel pump would not receive the same voltage it required to keep up with the required flow and so advised driving with the sidelights on also.
 
Sidelights should be on the same switch as the headlights. Rotate it between off > sidelights > headlights.

The sidelights go off with the ignition so you've probably never had a need to turn them off manually.

The switch on top of the column is parking lights. Took me a while to figure that one out! :D
 
@agw_01 - sorry for the delay but your spacers are in the post! Should be with you this week.

I want to get some mudflaps. Not huge ones though. Are the 'mini flaps' any good? They look an ok size.

Also what component speakers are people running? Got a budget of around £50 so it won't be anything fancy but I want the best for the money.

Might as well put this in here too :)

racetracker_2868067_40839.jpg
 
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No problems Phil :) I knew you'd been away so don't worry about it.

I run Infinity Reference 6.5" comps which I've had for years. Nothing special but sound pretty good in deadened doors.

If I was buying again and after a quick look on Car Audio Direct, I'd probably go with these for your budget; http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/spe...ero-iridium-gzic-16x-2-way-component-speakers

Personally, I'd go for something around £100. Either Rockford Fosgate, Focal Integration or Hertz Dieci.

I would definitely recommend installing sound deadening in the doors. Makes a huge difference. I don't even run a subwoofer in the Scoob anymore because the front doors sound so good.
 
alpine type g 6.5 with a door pack of silent coat, MDF baffle and 150w rms per door, loud and good midbass. I also don't bother with a sub these days as the midbass is so good im not fussed. and that's me coming from a sub been fed 2000rms. :D
 
Jesus. I haven't had a subwoofer since I was 19.

@agw_01 yeah, I plan to sound deaden the doors. I am hoping for exactly as you have described, a sound that negates the need for. Subwoofer.
 
Looks good that! I'll get around to building a proper box one day. I've only ever had cheap pre-built (you know, 1cuft with crap ports) boxes.
 
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