Solar charger advice

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Datatek said:
This one on Ebay item number 261713596330 it's polycrystalline which IMO is better than monocrystalline.
Click to expand...

I did try a bit of research but went around in circles so just plumped for this one.

I have bought a 12v DC extension cable to wire up to the solar panel and regulator which is rated at 5 amps. the cable itself feels somewhat lighter than the cable connected to the solar panel which feels more like conventional 240v 13 amp type cable.

1.5 Metre 2.1mm DC Plug CCTV Camera 12v AC/DC Power Supply Extension Cable Lead | eBay

If my maths is correct, the current from a 20w panel at 12 volts would be 1.67 amps but not certain whether other factors come in to play.
Any ideas ?
 
holidaychicken said:
I did try a bit of research but went around in circles so just plumped for this one.

I have bought a 12v DC extension cable to wire up to the solar panel and regulator which is rated at 5 amps. the cable itself feels somewhat lighter than the cable connected to the solar panel which feels more like conventional 240v 13 amp type cable.

1.5 Metre 2.1mm DC Plug CCTV Camera 12v AC/DC Power Supply Extension Cable Lead | eBay

If my maths is correct, the current from a 20w panel at 12 volts would be 1.67 amps but not certain whether other factors come in to play.
Any ideas ?
Click to expand...
You will almost never get anywhere near the theoretical output even on a sunny day. The 20 watts will be based on the maximum output voltage of the panel which will probably be 18 volts so 1.1 amps maximum. On a typical day in the UK you will do well to see 0.9 amps, more like 0.2 to 0.5 amps much of the time.
 
OK thanks, just setting up soldering the connectors and hopefully start selling back to the national grid tomorrow !
 
Datatek said:
0.75 will be fine. Panel is better on the rear parcel shelf if you can park with the window facing the sun. Panel should be propped up at about 45 degrees.
I have a socket in the boot to plug mine into, but I think there is a permanent live behind the N/S panel in the boot for the supplementary caravan supply, you could feed via that. No need to worry about covering the panel to connect especially if going via a controller.
Click to expand...

Hey Datatek, so reading this.. can i just connect the Output from the controller into the Permanent Live feed i should have for the tow bar in the rear light cluster ?
no need to run cable to the battery directly ?

cheers
 
chopper007 said:
Hey Datatek, so reading this.. can i just connect the Output from the controller into the Permanent Live feed i should have for the tow bar in the rear light cluster ?
no need to run cable to the battery directly ?

cheers
Click to expand...
You can indeed, I insert an in line fuse to protect the car from controller failure. As a side effect, the controller I use will give you a good indication that the alternator is charging:)
 
Does that mean i could connect the 'Battery' connections on the regulator to the live cigar lighter instead of running to the battery ?

i am up and running with the solar panel connected, the load is connected to my DVR / camera and currently i have the battery connected directly using the connections i sometimes use for my optimate charger.
Pic to follow
 
holidaychicken said:
Does that mean i could connect the 'Battery' connections on the regulator to the live cigar lighter instead of running to the battery ?

i am up and running with the solar panel connected, the load is connected to my DVR / camera and currently i have the battery connected directly using the connections i sometimes use for my optimate charger.
Pic to follow
Click to expand...
If your cig lighter is permanently live you can, on the P38 it goes off with the ignition. However, the connection on cig lighters can be unreliable so I would go direct to the battery.
 
Datatek said:
If your cig lighter is permanently live you can, on the P38 it goes off with the ignition. However, the connection on cig lighters can be unreliable so I would go direct to the battery.
Click to expand...

ok thanks, The cigar lighter is permanently live but I have quite a thick cable running to the battery and plugging into the optimate charger connection that is fixed to the battery. I have run the cable out of the passenger door, behind the wing and under the bonnet so it isn't visible for now rather than try and find a way through the bulk head.
It has been on their since yesterday connected to the dvr, mic and camera so i am going to leave it for a few days and then try and start it and see how fast it cranks as when i left it for about 2 days without starting before it cranked slower and the HDC inactive pinged up briefly.

If all is good i will tidy up the wiring and post a couple of pics of my frankenstein's monster experiment :)

@The mad hat man, thanks for the idea, the cigar lighter idea was just for ease of unplugging and removing the kit but the battery connection is quite easy and also quite not bad to remove as my kit is all in the front but your idea would be good for connecting to the rear of the car if the towing cable wasn't available
 
Last edited:
I'm following this thread closely and have engaged both my brain cells to think of a way to mount a panel on the roof ..... is this a no no?
 
Mount it on roof bars or suckers, you could even mount a big one at the back tipped up like a big roof spoiler for that extra downforce :eek:
 
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