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Sorry to re-hash the old solar panel topic...

We've got one of those brief case style solar chargers,which we bought from Maplin a while back and although I did fit the control box and clip all the wires in place for it on our previous 'van(Duetto),we never realy found the need to use it in anger..

However I now want to set it up for our Compass Suntor(..as we were away at the weekend,off EHU and it would've been nice to have a 12v fan running, )

Question One: Will extending the cable leading from the control panel to the leisure battery,which is at the rear,have any noticable effect on the panel's performance?

Question Two:As 'd like to just prop the panel up on top of the dash,would this be rendering the panel as good as useless if it's not facing directly at the sun?

I realise that it would probably be better to have the panel proped outside and move it as needed but I'd rather have it in the vehicle,as I don't want it nicked!

Any thoughts/experiences please....

Firstly cable lenght will have an effect on the voltage delivered if you have very thick conductors that may help or try and keep th cable short as possible.

It depends what type of panel you have the new generation crystalline one will charge up in daylight not needing direct sunlight.

I don't think you are going to need fans this w/e the forecast is for a 7-10 degree drop from last w/e.

Where are you going to coz I can come round at night and nick it!!!!:0)

Firstly cable lenght will have an effect on the voltage delivered if you have very thick conductors that may help or try and keep th cable short as possible.

It depends what type of panel you have the new generation crystalline one will charge up in daylight not needing direct sunlight.

I don't think you are going to need fans this w/e the forecast is for a 7-10 degree drop from last w/e.

Where are you going to coz

Firstly cable lenght will have an effect on the voltage delivered if you have very thick conductors that may help or try and keep th cable short as possible.

It depends what type of panel you have the new generation crystalline one will charge up in daylight not needing direct sunlight.

I don't think you are going to need fans this w/e the forecast is for a 7-10 degree drop from last w/e.

Where are you going to coz I

Firstly cable lenght will have an effect on the voltage delivered if you have very thick conductors that may help or try and keep th cable short as possible.

It depends what type of panel you have the new generation crystalline one will charge up in daylight not needing direct sunlight.

I don't think you are going to need fans this w/e the forecast is for a 7-10 degree drop from last w/e.

Where are you going to coz I can

Thanks sasquatch for your reply(..replies?! )

Yeah..I  may be gettin' a little ahead of myself,with this talk of fans..

I have no idea what "type" the panel is.It doesn't say anything in the instruction blurb..so I guess it won't be anything to hi tec or they'd be shouting about it...

I just thought that I'd might as well use it,as leave it gatherin' dust on top of the wardrobe...

Thanks Delta

I didn't think I'd get much "Umph"out of it... (...although I think it's just a bit of "kidology" on my part really,to make me feel like I'm getting "free" power.. )

I had thought of just propping it outside and just cable locking it but I didn't want to risk it getting wet..although I wonder if it would it work with a sheet of clear polythene over it?...

...That's a really interesting point about glass blocking uv rays..the very rays the panel needs!..I didn't know that..Thanks

That settles it then..I'll stick with the standard cable lengths and just chain it up outside,towards the rear of the vehicle(..where the leisure battery box is situated)

Thanks again..