Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Motorhomes and Campervans

Topic: solar panel

bootlucy

08/2/2018 at 7:46pm
Location: west cumbria
Outfit: bailey approach advantage 635

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 06/6/2010

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

James Watt

08/2/2018 at 8:16pm
Location: Costa Del West Sussex
Outfit: Tesco 4 Man Dome. Outwell Virginia 5

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 31/5/2010

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

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

bootlucy

08/2/2018 at 9:17pm
Location: west cumbria
Outfit: bailey approach advantage 635

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 06/6/2010

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

James Watt

08/2/2018 at 9:30pm
Location: Costa Del West Sussex
Outfit: Tesco 4 Man Dome. Outwell Virginia 5

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 31/5/2010

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.

bootlucy

08/2/2018 at 9:36pm
Location: west cumbria
Outfit: bailey approach advantage 635

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 06/6/2010

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

iggycamper

09/2/2018 at 11:16pm
Location: Devon
Outfit: Dreamer(Rapido) D.55 select Plus

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 12/9/2013

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

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

4520 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

UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

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

Request a Reminder