|
 Topic: Crocodile clips on solar
|
  |
| Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off! |
|
|
|
19/1/2025 at 2:05pm
Location: London
Outfit: Lunar Cosmos 524
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 17/9/2015 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 2540
| Site Reviews Total: | 1 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 1 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 6 |
|
Facebook - the worlds greatest source of BS!!!!!
Croc clips being 'dangerous' may have some rather tenuous validity in extreme circumstances, but generally they're OK!
Firstly, there MAY be a spark when connected/disconnected with battery, which MAY ignite hydrogen gas vented by the battery in SOME situations, but the risk is much the same as anyone connecting a battery charger or jump leads or any other 'temporary' connection, and how many times have you heard that go wrong! Secondly, the clips/connection MAY not be up to the current demand, and MAY overheat! That of course is making the assumption that your panel has a built in controller to manage the voltage/charge to the battery, otherwise an uncontrolled panel risks damaging the battery, but if you've be using it some time, I guess all is well on that point too.
As many suitcase/portable solar panels are supplied by the manufacturer with croc clips, then it would appear to be 'normal practice' to connect in that manner.
If I were regularly connecting a portable panel direct to battery, then I'd probably splice in a suitable socket to the battery cables, to both simplify the connection and give a more consistent connection.
|
19/1/2025 at 8:25pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Trigano 340 Air 4
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 08/5/2013 Gold Member 
Forum Posts: 269
| Site Reviews Total: | 12 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 1 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 5 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 1 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 1 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 1 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 4 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 19 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 2 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 5 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 7 |
|
Does the panel have a controller to stop it overloading the battery? What size is the panel?
|
20/1/2025 at 7:42am
Location: Worcestershire
Outfit: Buccaneer Cruiser
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 30/6/2004 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 4122
| Site Reviews Total: | 5 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 1 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 1 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 5 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 10 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Does anyone believe the BS sprouted on FB and other social media. There is nothing wrong with using crocodile clips as they are used in many different every day applications.
|
20/1/2025 at 9:22am
Location: Yorkshire
Outfit: Car & Caravan
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 24/9/2004 Platinum Member 
Forum Posts: 857
| Site Reviews Total: | 0 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 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 Nights 2025: | 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 |
|
I use mower type connectors, the ones that only fit one way. The leads are wired to the controller which is under the caravan seat on the battery side.
The leads and connector extending out of the locker when attached to the panel leads and sit in the locker when not used.
|
20/1/2025 at 5:40pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Trigano 340 Air 4
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 08/5/2013 Gold Member
Forum Posts: 269
| Site Reviews Total: | 12 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 1 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 5 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 1 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 1 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 1 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 4 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 19 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 2 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 5 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 7 |
|
I have a 100w renogy suitcase one. It has mc4 connectors so I bought some mc4 connectors which I fitted to short leads - one end clamped to battery the other end has the mc4 connector on.
|
|
via mobile 19/1/2025 at 11:54am
