just got myself a oldish caravan,and thinking of using solar power,looking in the towsure book,i see i need a panel and voltage regulator,but how would i connect it up to the van?do i need anything else to connect it?presumably it connects to the battery somehow.can you enlighten me in some way,thanks,adrian
crocodile clips usually with the panel straight onto the battery..some times you have a cigarette lighter plug with the panel ..so you can plug it into 12v system inside the caravan or better onto the battery again with a cigarette lighter socket.. see posts with links made recently by me about solar panels by clicking on my username
Yep , you need a solar panel and a voltage regulator , take 2 wires from the voltage regulator to the battery terminals , then take 2 wires from the panel and connect to the voltage regulator . It's dead easy to wire up , just make sure you connect the wires from the panel to the regulator and to the battery the right way round . There's normally a plus and minus on the back of the panel , and the regulator markings are easily understandable . Wire the regulator to the battery before connecting the panel .
I carried out this exact same project a couple of weeks ago and it works great. I purchased the 'Solar 43W' (I think) panel from Towsure (although it's not listed anymore). Basically, the bigger 'Watt' the better. As mentioned you also need the the regulator. Really easy to wire up. They are stocking a different regulator too..... but will all be the same.
I screwed the panel to 4x (2inch x 2inch) 4inch lenghs of timber treated with wood preservative to allow for air flow between panel and roof. Basically there are 4 fixing holes in the metal frame. Then with the the timber bolted to the Solar panel frame I stuck it on the roof with velcro tape, so it can be removed if required. I ran the wires down the awning groove to the Battery box. The instructions do say that the panel should be removed when towing, if fixed with velcro. However, this type of fixing is very secure and I don't want to be taking ladders with me to fix every time I move it. If you fix it near a roof light you can easily stick your hand through and check that it is still nice and secure.
Screw in the 2 wires to the underside of the panel. Fix the panel to the roof. Neatly trail the wire to the battery box. The regulator needs to be as close to the battery as possible (as per instructions) and kept dry. I have attached mine to the battery itself. Lights come on to tell how much charge is in the battery and a light indicated when the panel is pushing the power into the battery. Mine came with a fuse that I have fixed under the van.
Then sit back and let the sun keep your battery topped up. I would make sure your battery is in tip top condition if you are to get the best from solar charging.
The instructions do say that the panel should be removed when towing, if fixed with velcro. However, this type of fixing is very secure and I don't want to be taking ladders with me to fix every time I move it.
I would recommend the instructions are followed , you can't rely on velcro to hold a solar panel when towing .
I hear what you are saying Wizard, but I think the manufacturers are being over cautious and very general. My solar panel is situated next to one of the roof lights and is down wind when towing. I do think it comes down to an individual assessment and reqular checks before hook-up.