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Subject Topic: Portable solar panel Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonRainbowsend
10/5/2016 at 11:53pm
 Location: Staffs Cheshire bord
 Outfit: None Entered View Rainbowsend's Profile View Profile   Reply to Rainbowsend Reply   Quote Rainbowsend Quote  
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How can I connect a portable solar panel, placed in the front caravan Window, to the battery to maintain charge when on seasonal pitch?

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Jean

Sometimes a little rain must fall before you reach a rainbow.

The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow, but the rainbow won't wait while you finish the work.


PersonPed8
11/5/2016 at 6:43pm
 Location: Northumberland
 Outfit: Sprite Major 6TD Insignia ST View Ped8's Profile View Profile   Reply to Ped8 Reply   Quote Ped8 Quote  
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Hi, on my Sprite major 6td where the cables from the battery come into the caravan there is an inline 20a fuse on the +ve side & a spade connector on the - ve side so I just piggy backed a harness which runs to an extra cig lighter socket & connect the solar panel into it. As long as the main consumer master switch is off it keeps the battery topped up.
I wanted to connect the solar panel to the dedicated plug on the caravan for the solar panel but I can't find it! So the system outlined above will do for now.
Hope this helps
Paul


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Persondoit
15/5/2016 at 7:06pm
 Location: None Entered
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You need to connect the solar panel and regulator (where needed) directly to the battery as the vans control panel will almost certainly disconnect all other 12v stuff to stop the battery from discharging in storage. Fairly easy to do but you will need to fuse protect the cabling as close to the battery as possible for safety and fire prevention. I have recently done exactly this with a removable 25w solar panel fitted in the roof heki skylight connected to a regulator and then the battery. Works a treat. Got the idea from here [URL=http://caravandiy.blogspot.co.uk/2013_06_01_archive.html] I bought the biggest solar panel plus regulator and cable kit that would fit in my heki roof from a well known auction site (E***) and it works very well. Hope this helps

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Why am i doing this instead of camping??!!


PersonGrampian91
15/5/2016 at 11:42pm
 Location: Midlands
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Tinted caravan windows will block quite a bit of light, so take that into account when sizing panels.


PersonJTQU
16/5/2016 at 7:19am
 Location: Hampshire
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They can easily be connected directly to the battery; the controller will have the two wires clearly identified and as already said a fuse in the positive post feed is desirable.

Placing the panel behind a window will significantly reduce its efficiency, the extent depending on a range of things however it might still be adequate for your needs.
By far better performance will be achieved if it can be left outside such as laid on the roof. Keeping it clean however is a requirement so it can't be relied on as a fit and forget solution, it needs occasional checking and wipe off of dust, leaves and droppings etc.
IMO a toy sized panel is a waste of money and very likely far too small.
I assume it is not required for winter use where the challenges increase significantly.



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