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
  Caravans and Caravanning 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: charging battery w/ solar via 12 volt Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonBenski
06/8/2011 at 9:40pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Quechua Outwell Cruiser View Benski's Profile View Profile   Reply to Benski Reply   Quote Benski Quote  
Joined: 03/7/2005

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   530
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
can you help?
i have just got solar panel for the first time. can i use it to top up my caravan battery by plugging it into the 12 volt socket in said caravan?
thanks,
benski


PersonRune Caster
06/8/2011 at 9:55pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View Rune Caster's Profile View Profile   Reply to Rune Caster Reply   Quote Rune Caster Quote  
Joined: 20/1/2010

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1568
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
It will depend on what solar panel you have got and it's output, if it has a built in regulator the the answer is possibly yes - depending on how your 12volt socket is wired; the regulated output of a solar panel really needs to be connected direct to the battery without being routed through the distribution board

-------------
Caravanning is a way of getting a cheap holiday out of an expensive hobby

rune@tabbytha.com


Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off!
UKCampsite.co.uk users are rewarded with up to 12.5% off Caravan Guard touring caravan insurance, folding camper and trailer tent insurance, and 5% off motorhome and campervan insurance. Static caravan insurance is also available. Get an online quote now

PersonBenski
06/8/2011 at 11:09pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Quechua Outwell Cruiser View Benski's Profile View Profile   Reply to Benski Reply   Quote Benski Quote  
Joined: 03/7/2005

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   530
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
thank you rune


PersonVic Wildish
07/8/2011 at 7:37am
 Location: Knebworth Hertfordshire
 Outfit:  Vauxhall Insignia SE View Vic Wildish's Profile View Profile   Reply to Vic Wildish Reply   Quote Vic Wildish Quote  
Joined: 06/8/2003

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2485
Site Reviews Total: 4
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
I've got of the Maplin "jobbies" which cost me on special offer about £10.00 a few years ago. I think it's about £20.00 now.

I've connected mine direct to the battery and it does a sterling job keeping the battery topped up.

Don't think it would do much of a job bringing a flat battery back to life but it's fine for when the caravan is in storage for keeping the battery topped up.

Vic


skittlez
07/8/2011 at 7:46am
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View skittlez's Profile View Profile   Reply to skittlez Reply   Quote skittlez Quote  
Joined: 22/5/2011

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   168
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
How do you know its working Vic ? we don't have one and our battery stays fully charged anyway .


Advertisement



PersonVic Wildish
07/8/2011 at 9:48am
 Location: Knebworth Hertfordshire
 Outfit:  Vauxhall Insignia SE View Vic Wildish's Profile View Profile   Reply to Vic Wildish Reply   Quote Vic Wildish Quote  
Joined: 06/8/2003

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2485
Site Reviews Total: 4
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
Quote: Originally posted by skittlez on 07/8/2011
How do you know its working Vic ? we don't have one and our battery stays fully charged anyway .

I have a "state of charge" battery indicator in the caravan which changes as the battery charge depletes. With the charger connected, this indicator doesn't change.

I think you'll find that while you may think your battery is fully charged it may deplete very gradually over a period of time............That's only my opinion gained by years of experience.LOL

Vic


skittlez
07/8/2011 at 12:34pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View skittlez's Profile View Profile   Reply to skittlez Reply   Quote skittlez Quote  
Joined: 22/5/2011

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   168
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
that's why I asked because for years our charge indicator shows no change ,the only time we recharge is when connected to the car on our way to our destination .


PersonDaveCoaches
07/8/2011 at 2:00pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Coachman Pastiche View DaveCoaches's Profile View Profile   Reply to DaveCoaches Reply   Quote DaveCoaches Quote  
Joined: 30/7/2011

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1247
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
I used to have one of those (still do somewhere) they are ok for keeping a battery topped up with no demand on it but much too small to be supplying you with any usable power.

I have a 13 watt solar briefcase from Maplin and having changed my halogen bulbs for LEDs I can just about keep the battery topped up with light use indefinately. If I start running an inverter for hours on end though it's a different story.

We always carry a spare battery as we use mostly non EHU pitches, but recently one of the batteries seems to have failed us. I am hoping to replace it with a large solar panel rather than a new battery. The price difference between a battery and a decent size solar panel is minimal but with a decent size solar panel, I should never need to change the battery over.


Personstriderpaul
08/8/2011 at 4:28pm
 Location: Bognor Regis
 Outfit: Bailey Pegasus 624 & Kia Sorento View striderpaul's Profile View Profile   Reply to striderpaul Reply   Quote striderpaul Quote  
Joined: 22/7/2004

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   48
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
Since I started using the CC Rallies I have used solar panels to keep the batt topped up. Bought the £200 60w panels from Maplins and although theyre much bigger then others they are £200 less. You get a regulator with the kit which lets you know the state of the battery.
I have been away for three nights and watched the TV (12v Avtex) LED Lights and charged the laptop, phone as well as used the pump for showers etc and the battery is fully charged.
Solar Panels and LED lighting is the way forward, brilliant, no more EHU for me

-------------
Paul


PersonDaveCoaches
08/8/2011 at 5:16pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Coachman Pastiche View DaveCoaches's Profile View Profile   Reply to DaveCoaches Reply   Quote DaveCoaches Quote  
Joined: 30/7/2011

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1247
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
On a slight tangent, how do people connect the regulators? They have two terminals for the solar panel, two for the battery and two for the load. Are you supposed to disconnect the caravan from the battery and connect the regulator to the battery with the caravan connected to the regulator? If so, what happens when on EHU, the charger will be on the wrong side of the regulator? Do people really rip the wiring out of their caravans to fit a solar panel?


Advertisement



Personwizard9956
08/8/2011 at 7:06pm
 Location: Bristol
 Outfit: Lunar Conquest 544 a View wizard9956's Profile View Profile   Reply to wizard9956 Reply   Quote wizard9956 Quote  
Joined: 25/9/2004

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   7531
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

Hi Dave connect the charge controller to the battery and to the solar panel , you shouldn't need to use the load feature of the charge controller , this is a good charge controller click_here , i have 3 of them for various projects , they use very little power .
The battery doesn't need to be disconnected , and you won't have problems when on EHU with the charge controller connected or the caravan battery charger .
Here's my panels
504

atb

Wizard  


Personnigel16
08/8/2011 at 8:48pm
 Location: Hayle Cornwall
 Outfit: Honda CRV Bailey Bordeaux + tents View nigel16's Profile View Profile   Reply to nigel16 Reply   Quote nigel16 Quote  
Joined: 30/8/2005

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1925
Site Reviews Total: 8
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
Hi Wizard. I have just finished making 3 60w solar panels which I intend to mount on the van roof as you have done. the first panel made from B grades outputs 3 amps but the second 2 in good sunlight output 4amps so I will probably only mount those 2. How did you mount them on the roof, are they just siliconed down?

-------------
Nigel

March 2012 - Dove Meadows
6th July Moving to Hayle


Personwizard9956
08/8/2011 at 8:59pm
 Location: Bristol
 Outfit: Lunar Conquest 544 a View wizard9956's Profile View Profile   Reply to wizard9956 Reply   Quote wizard9956 Quote  
Joined: 25/9/2004

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   7531
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

Hi Nigel this should explain http://www.1carpc.co.uk/wcdr/new-page-2.htm , please don't use silicone sealant , use a proper caravan tube mastic adhesive like Sikaflex or Tigeseal .

atb

Wizard


PersonDaveCoaches
09/8/2011 at 9:56am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Coachman Pastiche View DaveCoaches's Profile View Profile   Reply to DaveCoaches Reply   Quote DaveCoaches Quote  
Joined: 30/7/2011

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1247
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 wizard. That's how I connect my 13 watt panel. I have been looking into something bigger for the roof which will mean running wires around so if I need to connect it differently that would be the time to do it. If I am ok connecting straight to the battery though then that's much simpler.



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 - Caravans and Caravanning - Top of Page

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


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...

4622 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