Solar battery charger
- Thread starter TCubed
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Datatek
Well-Known Member
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- 45,979
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- Near Poitiers SW France
Nothing wrong with connecting a mains batery charger as long as it's good one, C-Tec for example, connect the charger to the battery before switching the charger on to avoid any arcing.
I use a 12 watt solar panel from time to time, when leaving the car at the airport for example, not often needed since I replaced my battery with a 135AH 1000CCA Alphline, it can now stand for 3 weeks unused and still start easily.
I use a 12 watt solar panel from time to time, when leaving the car at the airport for example, not often needed since I replaced my battery with a 135AH 1000CCA Alphline, it can now stand for 3 weeks unused and still start easily.
I use a trickle charger with a cut off, mains powered, works fine so far - its hooked up for at least six months a year and cycles on and off depending on battery condition. People I know use solar chargers on the smaller (12v electrcis) horseboxes which are parked up outside for long periods and not used that often, if the underlying battery is in very good nick they seem to work okay .
Just in case I also have a dual voltage starter charger for emergencies, which I think has turned out to be one of the best things I`ve ever bought.
Just in case I also have a dual voltage starter charger for emergencies, which I think has turned out to be one of the best things I`ve ever bought.
ratty
I'm not special I'm limited edition
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I use a 4 or 5 watt solar charger on my defender and have done for the last 4 years or so with no ill effects.
4 watts is a tiny panel - usually they have a ciggy lighter plug and they perch on your dash
Oh really, so that thing works even when the car's off? Why don't appliances work when the car's off, or does it have a diode?
are you expecting the solar panel to power ''appliances'' ?
have a look at the power rating of a typical dash bulb and you'll get a clue why not
Datatek
Well-Known Member
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- 45,979
- Location
- Near Poitiers SW France
The cig lighter is dead on mine with the ignition off as is the accesory socket in the boot. I ran a 4mm cable fused direct from the battery to the rear along the top of the chassis rail in a protective tube for my caravan supply, I branched off this to an accessory socket in the boot to which I connect the solar panel when needed. The panel rests on the rear parcel shelf. Leave it on the roof and even in France it would disappear in a flash
ratty
I'm not special I'm limited edition
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- 34,277
I have 7 or 8 sockets in my landy. 4 in the front are ignition switched and the ones in the back (I can't remember if it's 3 or 4) are permanent live. My charger feeds into them. The solar panel is around a foot square.
Datatek
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 45,979
- Location
- Near Poitiers SW France
Yep, it's all been done before, but it's ****ing with rain which is stopping me from working, so got to amuse myself
I would suggest using a C-tec if you can at home. you will always know the car has enough power. Use a solar for when your away.
I have run a cable from front to rear, which sits behine the rear lamp panel when the casr is in use.
I have a brigh red warning sign i leave on the drivers seat when its plugged into the ctec!
No problems.
I have run a cable from front to rear, which sits behine the rear lamp panel when the casr is in use.
I have a brigh red warning sign i leave on the drivers seat when its plugged into the ctec!
No problems.
