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Went to pick up MH at weekend and battery completely dead - it had been in storage for 4 months! I've seen a small solar panel for topping up main battery.  Any good? Any experience of these?

Or should we just disconect battery?  Will it hold its charge for usual winter lay-up of 3 months?

Thanks for any advice

Quote: Originally posted by borerider on 19/4/2008

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 Maplins have got a 13watt panel for £59.99 with charge regulator included , I'v already got 120 watts panel for my leisure battery's and I'm going to get one from maplins for my start battery it should cheap it topped up nicely

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Sound good HB. 

What triggers the relay though?  Output from the regulator?

Quote: Originally posted by rozinante on 19/4/2008

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What triggers the relay though?  Output from the regulator?

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I use one of THESE I don't use anything but Antares for all my electrical gear including Inverters but then I tend go off beyond The Black Stump and whatever I use has got to be reliable.

There is also STERLING and their stuff has a good rep. There are also quite a few other products on the market. I think that the item is termed a "choke" diode but I'm not 100% on that

I might have missunderstood something here.  

I understand the split charge idea when used to charge from the vehicle alternator.  I thought HB's idea related to charging both batts from a single solar source.  I was wondering how, with the two batteries isolated when the engine isn't running, could both be charged from a single source.  If a second split charge relay were used what would trigger it to connect both batts for charging but then isolate them when no charge was available.

Quote: Originally posted by wineciccio on 19/4/2008

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Why not use a double pole switch ie, on/off/on re, first position for main vehicle battery middle off of course when engine is running  and other position for leisure thats the way a friend wired mine up on a Autotrail Cherokee that i had 7 years ago. I do have the wiring diagram in the house somewhere, if i can find it?, if you wish i can possibly describe it on this forum, unfortunately i still don't know how to upload stuff on this forum??

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The only way I know is if its hosted somewhere else and you link to it I think.

I agree the switch is a good cheap and reliable way wineciccio.  Trouble is it needs switching and my memory is not improving with age.  ;)