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Subject Topic: Solar panel Post Reply Post New Topic
Personmiss baritone
via mobile 11/5/2023 at 12:50pm
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Our onboard battery charger doesn’t work and also camp off grid a lot, so I’m looking at getting a solar panel. We only really use the battery for the lights and when off grid for charging phones. Firstly would something like this be sufficient to keep the battery topped up. Secondly how do you connect it? In the pictures it looks like crocodile clips to go on the battery terminals. But our terminals don’t have room to connect anything other than the van up. Is it possible to get a splitter of some sort to both van and solar panels can be connected https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/314471497229?hash=item4937f63e0d:g:Yj8AAOSwBdBkFYL9&amd........

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PersonDave and Cyn
via mobile 11/5/2023 at 1:30pm
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That panel should be fine.
As for connecting to the battery nothing says you have to use the crocodile clips.
I replaced the leads with a longer set in order to be able to get more flexibility in where the panel is sighted in relation to the van.
At the battery end I spliced into the main battery cable and ran a short length of cable with suitable connectors to plug the 2 lengths together.


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PersonColin21
11/5/2023 at 1:35pm
 Location: East Herts
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Well I would think it would work, but personally I would go for a slightly larger one. That could be just me though as I've always been a belt & braces sort. What you have to allow for is that a 200 watt panel will only give off 200 watts in absolutely perfect conditions. Full sun and at precisely the right angle, which would change constantly throughout the day. Any deviation from that and the output could fall quite considerably.

Regarding connecting it up I would expect the instructions to come with a wiring diagram for connecting the controller to the battery. I certainly wouldn't rely on crocodile clips anyway. If you want to be able to connect and disconnect it at will I would put in a plug and socket somewhere in order to do that.

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Best Regards,
Colin


PersonRob and Tina
via mobile 11/5/2023 at 1:48pm
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Don't buy that,it's not what you need at all the ad doesn't make sense, there is no way that is a 200 watt panel,a panel that small is probably 1 watt output.If the panel is about 2 ft X 4 ft you might be in with a chance and you certainly won't get one for £25.

Tina


PersonMonty15
11/5/2023 at 2:38pm
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Another doubting Thomas here I'm afraid! If you look at the specification it claims 1600mA (1.6A) at 12v output, that's 20W, NOT 200W, and even that seems wildly optimistic from a panel that size! I've a panel of similar size and it's only 2.4W!!!!!

This is more like (other brands/models available) a viable 200W solar panel, look at the size, specification and price (more than 10x your model!), and compare with the dubious panel you posted link to! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124987790168?hash=item1d19da5358:g:SIsAAOSwlfRkNSDS&amd........


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PersonColin21
11/5/2023 at 3:29pm
 Location: East Herts
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I must admit I was looking at the output, not the physical size as I don't know much about solar panels with regards to size vs output. I've never used one. Please take my comments to be just on the output, not the actual panel.

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Best Regards,
Colin


Personmiss baritone
via mobile 11/5/2023 at 3:51pm
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Thanks guys I thought at that price it seemed too good to be true

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Good cakes aren't cheap. Cheap cakes aren't good


PersonOctavia4x4
via mobile 11/5/2023 at 4:42pm
 Location: Harrogate Yorkshire.
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Have a look at PhotonicUniverse website, mine is a 150w, which keeps my 115amp battery charged up with no problem. Puts in 8amps in full sun with a 14.2v boost charge if needed.




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Persontrog100
11/5/2023 at 4:49pm
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a dokio 200 watt panel is good value and folds up quite neatly..

trog



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