Hi all, just bought a 12v solar charger to keep the battery up while van is in storage but have a question. If I just plug it straight into one of the 12v car cigar lighter type sockets will this do the job or do I have to have main switch on too? Prob a silly question but I don't want to damage anything.
Hi, we just bought 5 of these (ebay £50+vat for 5) for use with electric fencing, a kids go-kart and our caravan. I know that with the fencing we can leave the fencing unit in operation while the solar panel acts as a trickle charger. But if you had it plugged in to a car via the cig lighter, you must not start the engine until you unplug it or you will fry the solar panel with the surge.
------------- If you see 2010 Hobby Prestige 720 UKFE twin axel 30ft caravan it may be mine.... it was stolen.
You only need a charge controller if the output of the panel is 10% or more of the batterys capacity , eg 100amp hour battery can use a 10watt panel without a charge controller .
Hi TheFarmersWife3 , you can leave a solar panel connected to the car and start the engine , there will be no effect on the panel , i've had a panel permantly connected to my car for the last 4 years .