Originally Posted by upallnight (Post 1119661)

Since I don't drive the X5 that much, I use a solar powered charger that I have connected to the accessory plug by the passenger footwell. I can go for months and the X always starts.

Originally Posted by omodos (Post 1119828)

Sorry to hijack post but do you connect disconnect it from accessory pluy every time you start vehicle or leave it connected constantly even whilst driving?

Originally Posted by Crowz (Post 1119839)

One thing I forgot to mention is that solar panels by themselves use power at night.

Basically they make power in the light and use power in the dark so they can actually drain your battery at night.

But all packaged setups should include a built in blocking diode. This prevents the problem. The reason I'm pointing this out is in case someone gets a do it yourself urge and buys just a solar panel to try to wire it in. Don't forget to add a blocking diode.

Originally Posted by upallnight (Post 1119884)

A diode only allows current to flow in one direction. Therefore at night my solar panel will not discharge the battery. The diode will also prevent the alternator from putting current into the solar panel.

Originally Posted by turquise1 (Post 1119761)

Almost everything that can drain the system is off. So, no navigation, no phone etc.

The drain is as bad to kill the battery overnight during winter so it is really NOT normal. I did the drain test several times and although the car goes to sleep eventually, it takes a lot longer than 16 mins and it seems to get longer when it is colder. When it goes to sleep the number is at .04 amps so its normal, but it takes a lot longer to get there (system seems to keep resetting itself around 15 mins and restart the sleep process by going to .95 amps first for a minute, then .5 amps for another 15 mins).

I will start pulling fuses next to see if it helps although I did try some without success during last winter.

Thanks for all the help..

Ozzie