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Subject Topic: how to use solar trickle charger Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonShirlz
08/3/2016 at 8:20pm
 Location: St.Annes Lancashire
 Outfit: Avondale Golden Mayfair (Dart 510 5) View Shirlz's Profile View Profile   Reply to Shirlz Reply   Quote Shirlz Quote  
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The on-board charger in our caravan no longer works so thought we would buy a solar charger to keep the battery topped up while on site. We always use EHU and the battery is fully charged before leaving home.
How do we clip it onto the battery terminals when the battery is already connected to the caravan?       

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SHIRLZ
I'm not a complete idiot...some bits are missing.


PersonJTQU
09/3/2016 at 7:18am
 Location: Hampshire
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The answer is simple but the question itself raises a question.
The output of the solar charger connects directly to the battery terminals. However, in your case I would have it switched so if in storage you can't deploy the panel so be charging it can be isolated from the battery as the controller will put a little drain on the battery. Realistically the panel IMo should be a worthwhile size by this I would not go less than 40 Watts, as it is your sole means of on site battery charging.
I definitely would not be into buying the pathetically low power little solar chargers, your requirement needs something higher and you could be camping on not blazing sunny days.

The question your request raises in my mind why not just repair or replace the van's charger?


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PersonShirlz
09/3/2016 at 2:59pm
 Location: St.Annes Lancashire
 Outfit: Avondale Golden Mayfair (Dart 510 5) View Shirlz's Profile View Profile   Reply to Shirlz Reply   Quote Shirlz Quote  
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I know the solar charger connects directly to the battery terminals...my question is , How? when the caravan connectors are already on the terminals?

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SHIRLZ
I'm not a complete idiot...some bits are missing.


PersonPaul_B
09/3/2016 at 3:10pm
 Location: Yorkshire
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It would be better if it was hard wired rather than using clips, whether you have clamps or quick fit connections there is a provision for fastening wires, its also worth fitting a fuse.
You will need to remove the clips and fit a crimp connectors


PersonJTQU
09/3/2016 at 3:13pm
 Location: Hampshire
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By sharing the connectors or buying multi point connectors, this being just one example.

http://raptor-online.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=30


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PersonGrampian91
09/3/2016 at 8:40pm
 Location: Midlands
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Easier to replace the charger? Lighting and pump will be running off the battery even with the hookup so a solar panel may not be putting enough charge back in.


PersonShirlz
09/3/2016 at 9:37pm
 Location: St.Annes Lancashire
 Outfit: Avondale Golden Mayfair (Dart 510 5) View Shirlz's Profile View Profile   Reply to Shirlz Reply   Quote Shirlz Quote  
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thanks everyone. If we were to replace the charger instead, is it possible to DIY or would it need a professional?


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SHIRLZ
I'm not a complete idiot...some bits are missing.


Personlizzy23
10/3/2016 at 7:31am
 Location: leeds
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in my old caravan i had a caravan engineer wire in a normal battery charger as long as it was plugged in and i was on mains or generator ite kept the battery topped up, far cheaper than replacing the consumer unit


Personfleck2
10/3/2016 at 8:01am
 Location: Derbyshire
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Lidl smart charger with LCD screen 3.8amp and fit yourself in 10 minutes. £12.99


PersonJTQU
10/3/2016 at 9:08am
 Location: Hampshire
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Quote: Originally posted by fleck2 on 10/3/2016
Lidl smart charger with LCD screen 3.8amp and fit yourself in 10 minutes. £12.99


That, however exposes anything plugged into the "12 volt" system to potentially receiving 14.4 volts, whereas the conventional maximum limit is 13.8 volts.

That is not necessarily damaging, but has the potential to be.


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PersonPaul_B
10/3/2016 at 9:45am
 Location: Yorkshire
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A solar panel gives out similar voltage and why LED lighting and TVs etc need to be the regulated type, usually regulated to work between 10v and 30v


Personpeter1474
10/3/2016 at 10:00am
 Location: ML9
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If you always use EHU why bother with a battery at all?
If on EHU a battery is not necessary.

-------------
Peter and CofSD (Anne)


PersonJTQU
10/3/2016 at 10:05am
 Location: Hampshire
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Quote: Originally posted by peter1474 on 10/3/2016
If you always use EHU why bother with a battery at all?
If on EHU a battery is not necessary.


Here because the EHU is not enabling the 12 volt system because the charger is shot, hence a reliance on a battery for lights, water, heating etc etc.


Personfleck2
10/3/2016 at 10:07am
 Location: Derbyshire
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I agree Paul, most components are tolerant of much higher voltages than what they work at, otherwise they wouldn't last long.


PersonPaul_B
10/3/2016 at 10:15am
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Some of cheaper LEDs don't last long as they don't come regulated, they were designed to work with a fixed 12v supply, the same goes for tvs that come with a 230/12v transformer
however you could be lucky


PersonRob Johns
11/3/2016 at 4:47pm
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It could be easier and cheaper to just buy a replacement charger for your van. I did this for around £90 and fitted it while at a caravan holiday park! (It helps to carry a few basic tools though.)
As for a solar trickle charger, I have a small 10 watt panel connected directly to the battery terminals while the van is in storage. The panel sits inside the front window (south facing)and, although not producing the optimum output due to the window tint etc, there is plenty of juice to keep the battery topped up.

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The Sun always shines on TV.(and not on my caravan!)



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