Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
  Motorhomes and Campervans 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: solar panel Post Reply Post New Topic
Personbootlucy
08/2/2018 at 7:46pm
 Location: west cumbria
 Outfit: bailey approach advantage 635 View bootlucy's Profile View Profile   Reply to bootlucy Reply   Quote bootlucy Quote  
Joined: 06/6/2010

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   38
Site Reviews Total: 14
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 6
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 7
Site Nights 2018: 2
Hi all, I have just bought a 6 watt solar panel battery maintainer (trickle charger) to help keep my leisure battery topped up in my Bailey Advance m/h. Does anyone know if this will help charge my leisure battery if I plug into the cigarette lighter or will I have to connect directly to the battery?

-------------
bootlucy


PersonJames Watt
08/2/2018 at 8:16pm
 Location: Costa Del West Sussex
 Outfit: Tesco 4 Man Dome. Outwell Virginia 5 View James Watt's Profile View Profile   Reply to James Watt Reply   Quote James Watt Quote  
Joined: 31/5/2010

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   994
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Hello bootlucy, if your cigar lighter works without the ignition key inserted, then the trickle charging from the solar panel when the sunshines on it, will work.

What happens when the solar panel is in darkness, is another matter

Regards James

-------------
In the beginning there was darkness.
Then I bought a tent.
I'm not destitute, I'm just poor.


Campervan and Motorhome Insurance - Special Discount for UKCampsite.co.uk members
Caravan Guard Special Discount for UKCampsite.co.uk members on Campervan and Motorhome Insurance. Get 5 star rated cover and big savings - for a quote simply click Online Quotation

Personbootlucy
08/2/2018 at 9:17pm
 Location: west cumbria
 Outfit: bailey approach advantage 635 View bootlucy's Profile View Profile   Reply to bootlucy Reply   Quote bootlucy Quote  
Joined: 06/6/2010

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   38
Site Reviews Total: 14
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 6
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 7
Site Nights 2018: 2
Thanks James, I understand about the lighter socket being live, just wasn't sure if the charge would get through to the leisure battery !

-------------
bootlucy


PersonJames Watt
08/2/2018 at 9:30pm
 Location: Costa Del West Sussex
 Outfit: Tesco 4 Man Dome. Outwell Virginia 5 View James Watt's Profile View Profile   Reply to James Watt Reply   Quote James Watt Quote  
Joined: 31/5/2010

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   994
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Aha, I have looked deeper into your setup.

The cigarlighter is most likely fed from the 'starter' battery. The 'Leisure' battery gets its charge from the alternator, therefore only when the engine is running.

Therefore, in order to top up the 'Leisure' battery, you need to feed the solar energy into it.

That's beyond my expertise, so hopefully someone with more specific knowledge can assist.

The easy feed would be through a light socket, that is fed from the 'leisure' battery.
Just ensure you remove it before starting the engine.

Regards James

-------------
In the beginning there was darkness.
Then I bought a tent.
I'm not destitute, I'm just poor.


Personbootlucy
08/2/2018 at 9:36pm
 Location: west cumbria
 Outfit: bailey approach advantage 635 View bootlucy's Profile View Profile   Reply to bootlucy Reply   Quote bootlucy Quote  
Joined: 06/6/2010

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   38
Site Reviews Total: 14
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 6
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 7
Site Nights 2018: 2
Thanks again James, that makes sense when thinking about it! I will connect panel direct to leisure battery and see how it goes.

-------------
bootlucy


Advertisement



Personiggycamper
09/2/2018 at 11:16pm
 Location: Devon
 Outfit: Dreamer(Rapido) D.55 select Plus View iggycamper's Profile View Profile   Reply to iggycamper Reply   Quote iggycamper Quote  
Joined: 12/9/2013

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   652
Site Reviews Total: 36
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Sorry Lucy but I feel that the leisure battery on your Bailey will not be impressed with a 6 watt solar panel! (This will give out barely 1/4 amp at 12 volts at this time of the year.)

Few thoughts:

1) We have a 100 watt panel to top up the normal engine battery and a 100Ah leisure battery via an appropriate controller which shares the current between the 2 batteries. (Currently set for 60/40 % in favour of the engine battery) Works well in the summer but does struggle in these darker months - November to February - especially this winter with record amounts of cloud here in Devon!(We connect to mains power anyway at this time - especially as we also have some heating on in van ...)

2) Bear in mind the rated output is a maximum figure which would probably only apply when the panel is pointed directly at the sun in say southern Spain in midsummer!

3) Ref the 2 dashboard (Fiat fitted) 12v sockets - these are normally wired to the engine battery and even then will only work when the ignition is on.

4) With a correctly designed and installed 'solar panel system' there is no need to disconnect anything when the engine is running. (and alternator will be charging both batteries - common on recent Motorhomes)

Hope this helps!



-------------
The older I get the better I used to be.



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Motorhomes and Campervans - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...

4137 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement
Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder