My van lives in a shed for most of the year so the roof mounted panel is of no use to keep the battery charged.
I'm thinking of getting a small solar panel (10w) to put on the shed roof.
I know that such a small panel can be connected directly to the battery (100ah) but was wondering whether it will also work via the Anderson plug that I use to charge the battery whilst driving? Being able to connect to that plug will simply matters considerably in the wiring department.
If the distance from panel to battery via the Anderson plug is 5 metres will a 10w panel be OK or should/could I go a bit bigger and if so to what (without the need for a regulator - I want to keep this as simple as possible)?
Thanks in advance for any replies.
swamp said
02:35 PM Oct 19, 2018
HI
Go with a portable panel with on board regulator . Panel 40-60watt =2-3 amps .[reality of output is 1-2 amps ] Most 240v maintenance chargers are 1-2 amp .
T1 Terry said
03:13 PM Oct 19, 2018
Hi Moose2 the problem with direct connection is stopping the battery back feeding into the panel over night, you could end up going backwards rather than keeping the battery topped up. The regulator not only stops battery over voltage damage, it also prevent current back flow when there is no sun.
You could buy a cheap regulator, wire an Anderson plug to the battery output terminals and another Anderson plug wired to the solar terminals. Then you can plug the regulator into the existing caravan Anderson plug, then the solar into the regulator and all should be well. Unplug the solar first, then the battery side Anderson plug when you want to disconnect the set up.
If you already have solar fitted and an on board regulator then just wire an Anderson plug into the solar input side and run that outside the van at a convenient point. This way you can plug in solar while the van is under cover and plug in portable solar when you are camped up if needed.
T1 Terry
Peter_n_Margaret said
03:30 PM Oct 19, 2018
I replaced a sheet from the roof with clear polycarbonate.
Lets enough light in for the fixed solar to keep the batteries topped up nicely.
Useful for working in the shed too.
A 5W unregulated solar panel with blocking diode to stop feed back would be adequate too.
Cheers,
Peter
Hetho said
04:43 PM Oct 19, 2018
Hi. Moose2.
I agree with Peter and Margaret.
But, I know when we get home to Mandurah in January, (been travelling for 9 months now) I will simply plug in the 240.
Same as it has been for the last 4 years since I built it.
I have a 215 ltr compressor fridge which is great for keeping the cold.
We have a 6kw solar on the house, so it cost very little to keep the van ticking over.
Hope this might help.
Regards.
Hetho.
daffyfrancis said
11:46 PM Oct 19, 2018
Like Peter we have some clear polycarbonate panels on our shed roof & a small 10w $23 Ebay solar panel & regulator resting on the rear rack of my 4wd ATV keeps its battery fully charged between use.
David
T1 Terry said
09:48 AM Oct 20, 2018
Another method rather than replacing a roofing sheet is reflecting the sun up under the shed roof and then if needed, reflecting it back onto the solar panels. Works best with open front sheds, but it could be set up outside a window.
T1 Terry
oldbloke said
07:01 PM Nov 10, 2018
I used a 5 watt for about 4 months direct to the Anderson plug and worked OK. Or just a standard battery charger direct to the battery every couple of weeks should do he job.
My van lives in a shed for most of the year so the roof mounted panel is of no use to keep the battery charged.
I'm thinking of getting a small solar panel (10w) to put on the shed roof.
I know that such a small panel can be connected directly to the battery (100ah) but was wondering whether it will also work via the Anderson plug that I use to charge the battery whilst driving? Being able to connect to that plug will simply matters considerably in the wiring department.
If the distance from panel to battery via the Anderson plug is 5 metres will a 10w panel be OK or should/could I go a bit bigger and if so to what (without the need for a regulator - I want to keep this as simple as possible)?
Thanks in advance for any replies.
Go with a portable panel with on board regulator . Panel 40-60watt =2-3 amps .[reality of output is 1-2 amps ] Most 240v maintenance chargers are 1-2 amp .
You could buy a cheap regulator, wire an Anderson plug to the battery output terminals and another Anderson plug wired to the solar terminals. Then you can plug the regulator into the existing caravan Anderson plug, then the solar into the regulator and all should be well. Unplug the solar first, then the battery side Anderson plug when you want to disconnect the set up.
If you already have solar fitted and an on board regulator then just wire an Anderson plug into the solar input side and run that outside the van at a convenient point. This way you can plug in solar while the van is under cover and plug in portable solar when you are camped up if needed.
T1 Terry
Lets enough light in for the fixed solar to keep the batteries topped up nicely.
Useful for working in the shed too.
A 5W unregulated solar panel with blocking diode to stop feed back would be adequate too.
Cheers,
Peter
Hi. Moose2.
I agree with Peter and Margaret.
But, I know when we get home to Mandurah in January, (been travelling for 9 months now) I will simply plug in the 240.
Same as it has been for the last 4 years since I built it.
I have a 215 ltr compressor fridge which is great for keeping the cold.
We have a 6kw solar on the house, so it cost very little to keep the van ticking over.
Hope this might help.
Regards.
Hetho.
Like Peter we have some clear polycarbonate panels on our shed roof & a small 10w $23 Ebay solar panel & regulator resting on the rear rack of my 4wd ATV keeps its battery fully charged between use.
David
T1 Terry