Connecting a portable solar panel - issues?

SouthernComfort · Guru

Connecting a portable solar panel - issues?

Bicyclecamper · Guru

I use an 80 watt panel, putting out up to 4.5 amps on a good day, using the regulator on the back of it., if you have an grey Anderson plug on the front of your van, going to batteries and not an onboard controller/regulator, you could maybe charge your battery, but It would be better with an unregulated 5-10 watt solar panel and add a blocking diode to it, so when it is nightime, the batteries don't feed back into the solar panel instead.

-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Saturday 18th of April 2020 09:05:42 PM

-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Saturday 18th of April 2020 09:07:20 PM

Brenda and Alan · Guru

I don't think any breakaway battery is set up to charge from the house battery (it can't). They are set up to charge from the tow vehicle. Just take both batteries out and keep them charged at home till needed.

Alan

Tony Bev · Guru

Hi Tony (Southern Comfort)

I am not an Electrician, so if I am wrong, I hope that someone will come along and correct me

In my opinion, if the roof solar is covered, with no sun on the solar panel, then it is not giving any power to the house battery

You could then connect the portable solar panel, if it has its own regulator attached to the back of the panel, direct to the battery, as it will be the only one sending power to the battery

But this means that your portable solar panel is now, more or less, exposed to any light finger people, who may be passing
Because of the Coronavirus, we do not really know if/when, we can start travelling again

As you have said that you can easily take your house battery home, then that is what I would do

SouthernComfort · Guru

Thanks for your thoughts folks.

The yard is highly secure so I'm not worried about the panel being pinched, dozen of other vans in the yard have portable set ups. If I remove the battery I'd presumably have to remove the breakaway battery as well, if I can find it. What I can't understand is how the breakaway battery can remain charged when in storage for many months if it's not fed by the house battery i.e. not everyone has a solar panel, fixed or otherwise, so how does it survive between trips? I not even sure where the breakaway battery is located.

Jaahn · Guru

Hi Tony smile

A couple of thoughts ! Some people have said previously that the lightweight caravan covers do let enough light through to keep the battery charged if the van is in the sun. I have no experience. Obviously if it is under a metal roof that would not work.

You only need a small panel to keep a battery charged. Depends on how many hours the panel is in the sun too. But a 10- 20W panel that gets a couple of hours of sun will work OK. Cheap regulator to stop the reverse current when not charging and prevent over voltage would be my choice. Simple enough to wire up with any sort of wire, not much current, and a couple of battery clips. The other installed panel and regulator will not be affected by the portable one. Actually I use similar on a family car that is parked up currently, with the panel in the back window which gets the morning sun.

I am not sure where the breakaway battery gets its charge from. Others may comment. Here is one reference; http://www.withoutahitch.com.au/caravan/legal-requirements-caravan-breakaway-systems-australia/

Good luck Jaahn

-- Edited by Jaahn on Monday 20th of April 2020 08:31:29 AM

SouthernComfort · Guru

Thanks Jaahn, it's useful to know that a portable connection won't interfere with the fixed setup on the van. The ongoing mystery is how the breakaway is charged when not connected to the car, is it fed by the house battery or the fixed solar? No clear answer at present and I don't have the factory wiring diagram for my van. Some opinions I've researched say the house battery can't charge the breakaway, and an equal number say the exact opposite

The van is outdoors and will have a standard type cover on it, but I've always suspected it would block the fixed solar panel too much to be effective in the southern winter.

I think my best option now is to locate the breakaway then remove both batteries and keep them charged them at home.

Sparkster · Senior Member

I'd go with your original idea of using a portable panel with its own regulator.

I use that system because our 'van is stored remotely and I'm sure I don't want to remove a 110 AH battery occasionally just to charge it.

However, I'm not sure how the breakaway battery is charged but it hasn't given any problems at this stage.

My preferance is to remove the Breakaway battery and take that to the house and keep it charged-much easier solution in my mind (and practice).

Keith. smile

SouthernComfort · Guru

Good option, thanks Keith. Have to admit, retrieving the house battery from its box under the 'van is something my back complains about! Now to find the B/A battery...

SouthernComfort · Guru

Having spent the last 48 hours researching the devices in my van, sourcing manuals which (the 'van builder failed to provide!!) and speaking to the companies who make them. For anyone interested, this is how it works with the controller devices that I have, but it may (?) vary if you have other devices:

Main Power Controller (GENIUS 30-35) - controls input to the house battery from 240vAC and 12vDC external sources (including solar), individually or simultaneously. Automatically applies Charge, Trickle and Float modes with overload protection. The controller has extra terminals to add another (portable) solar panel.

Breakaway Unit (CAMEC) - is connected to the GENIUS controller and has 3 settings 1) OFF 2) Car Alternator 3) Battery Charger. On the charger setting the House Battery charges the breakaway battery - so any idea that the breakaway battery can't be charged from the house battery is incorrect, it can.

The breakaway unit must be OFF unless the test button shows the battery needs charging, should then only be turned on and charged for 5hrs max.

So my key questions are answered:

1. I will leave the breakaway battery in situ when in storage and check via the test button every 2-3 months, charge as necessary from the house battery which is fed from the portable solar.

2. Will turn off the Genius controller when the van is covered and hook up a regulated portable solar direct to the house battery. Seems simpler to do this than wire it via the Genius controller under the bed.

Hope this goes some way to assisting others