Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Camping and Caravanning Equipment

Topic: "electrically challenged" question

brendajorsler

22/3/2006 at 10:02pm
Location: Rawreth Essex
Outfit: Talbot auto-sleeper

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 21/7/2005

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 280

Site Reviews Total:	0

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

Thanks to members I can now understand my leisure battery !!
One question though.
I will be using a spare leisure battery for my laptop to watch dvd's and do a bit of work.
I have a small solar panel with a cigarette lighter socket.
If my leisure battery needs topping up and I plug it into my panel, how does the charge know which way to go ???
I know that the panel will not generate a lot of power, but maybe just enough to keep the battery charged.
So when the battery is plugged in to the panel how does the charge know that it has to go from the panel to the battery and not vice versa ? I am concerned that when I plug in it will get confused and send power from the battery to the solar panel and make the panel 'live'
Thanks anyone who can help. I have asked a few electrically unchallenged folk and the best reply so far is 'cos it does'. Not good enough. I dont want a live solar panel electricuting me !!!
Brenda

Fat Belly

22/3/2006 at 10:06pm
Location: West Berkshire
Outfit: Bailey Olympus 534

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 29/10/2003

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 1138

Site Reviews Total:	0

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

Normally they are fitted with a Diode which will only allow power to flow one way.

brendajorsler

22/3/2006 at 10:26pm
Location: Rawreth Essex
Outfit: Talbot auto-sleeper

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 21/7/2005

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 280

Site Reviews Total:	0

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

Thanks for the answer.
If I plug in my laptop to the leisure battery the power flows from the battery to the laptop.
However if I plug in my solar panel to the leisure battery power 'should' flow from panel to battery.
How does the diode know which way to send the power if it can only flow one way.
I am getting a bad head !!!
Brenda

Gram

22/3/2006 at 11:18pm
Location: Padded Cell
Outfit: Calvin Klein Straitjacket & manacles

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 22/9/2004

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 2931

Site Reviews Total:	2

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

A diode is rather like a valve in a tyre; a valve will let air in (from a pump) but stops the air from going the other way; a diode lets electricity flow one way (from a solar panel or other source) and stops electricity flowing back the other way - rather a simplified explanation, but that's what diodes do, because they're made that way...

Gram

-------------
What's the difference between a chicken?

brendajorsler

23/3/2006 at 7:54pm
Location: Rawreth Essex
Outfit: Talbot auto-sleeper

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 21/7/2005

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 280

Site Reviews Total:	0

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

Thanks Gram I think your explanation of the diode sounds good, but if the diode acts like a valve and stops the electricity flowing from the battery to the solar panel then how can the diode allow the electricity to flow from the battery to the laptop to power it. This is what I can't understand. How does the electricity 'know' which way that it has to go ???????
So when solar panel plugged into battery electricity flows 'TO' the battery and when laptop plugged in the electricity flows 'FROM' the battery.
I am quite convinced that my solar panel wont get 'live' and kill me, but it's just one of those things that I want to know why wont it !!!
Cheers
Brenda

jockthescot

23/3/2006 at 9:42pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 22/5/2003

Guest

Forum Posts: 367

Site Reviews Total:	0

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

Don't panic your not going to die! You could suck the terminals of a leisure battery(but don't) & live to tell the tale.

Nice explanation of diodes Gram

Im going to use that next time Im down factory.

Jock

saxo1

23/3/2006 at 10:52pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 29/10/2005

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4482

Site Reviews Total:	0

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

The diode is fitted between your solar panel and the battery your laptop connects direct to your battery .
Saxo1

JohnG

23/3/2006 at 11:16pm
Location: Newcastle u Lyme
Outfit: Ford Kuga Senator California

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 02/12/2003

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 6132

Site Reviews Total:	3

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

Its usual to use water as an analogy

SO if you think of the cold water tank(the battery)

Its filled via a ball valve that lets water in until the level is correct(the charger)

The water comes out of the bottom of the tank via a different hole( the feed to the appliance/laptop)

For diode think non return valve

If you follow the drift

-------------
John

rabb_uk

24/3/2006 at 5:46pm
Location: Derbyshire
Outfit: Adria Forma-Delica 2.8td-Movelite XL

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 11/2/2004

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 2940

Site Reviews Total:	22

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	1
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:	2
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

hold on, so how do i fit this diode to the water tank and will the laptop plug into it when done?

-------------
Doing as little as possible for as much as possible...

JohnG

24/3/2006 at 5:52pm
Location: Newcastle u Lyme
Outfit: Ford Kuga Senator California

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 02/12/2003

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 6132

Site Reviews Total:	3

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

You may find the answer here if you're all at searabb_uk

-------------
John

Custer

24/3/2006 at 5:56pm
Location: Southampton
Outfit: Lunar Zenith 6. Toyota Lucida

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 17/10/2002

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 990

Site Reviews Total:	3

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

Im all confused with this lot

-------------
I'm just a slave to the outdoor life!!!!!!!

brendajorsler

24/3/2006 at 7:08pm
Location: Rawreth Essex
Outfit: Talbot auto-sleeper

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 21/7/2005

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 280

Site Reviews Total:	0

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

Thanks folks for all the replies.

Brenda

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 - Camping and Caravanning Equipment - Top of Page

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

6071 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