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I would wire directly to the battery , use a fuse on the positive side, close to the battery . You should make sure the panel has a blocking diode, otherwise the battery will drain at night .
You can leave the panel connected all the time and should not need a charge controller .

atb

Wizard

My_solar_panel_setup

If your going to fit an alarm system i would be going for at least a 20watt panel with a charge controller . I wouldn't think you'd get much voltage drop with 5 meters of cable , but i would try to have it as short as possible . Good charge controller i've got 3 of them Click_here very low current draw.

atb

Wizard

Have a look a ebay for panels See_here .

One other thing to be aware of is , on some caravan 12 volt systems when you turn off the master switch , it cuts power to all the 12 volt sockets . So there's a chance that plugging into a 12 volt socket won't work .

atb

Wizard 

Quote: Originally posted by phantomtrucker on 22/5/2012

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wizard9956.......i have found out that the panels you get from maplin etc, are not water proof and should be inside in the window otherwise they will fail. I have made a polythene envelope to put mine in when it is wet or damp, seems to work OK.(thats the 15w one)

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Don't know who told you they weren't water proof , maplins web site says they are suitable for inside and outside use see  Here  and  Here .
I've got both types in my back garden and they've been there in all weathers without problems .

atb

Wizard