Solar stuff doing my head in >.<

[wfdTamar]

Excuse if some of what I write is obvious to you. It's hard to know what the recipient knows

In talking of keeping the starter battery charged during long periods of non driving you mentioned use of a B2B charger. That's not what a B2B charger does/is. It's fitted between starter battery and leisure battery so that a high charge can be fed from the alternator via the starter battery to the leisure battery.

Maybe you were thinking of the Battery Master some people had mentioned? That's a doo dah that directs some of the solar charge to the starter battery. You need to be sure it will work with you vehicle electrics. Another way to achieve this is a solar controller with dual battery outputs (for example the Votronic Duo Digital). I reckon both unnecessary cost though. Just do as you said - connect the solar panel to the starter battery using the crocodile clips it comes with. It just means you have to monitor the battery voltage to know when it needs it. Instal a permanent cable on the leisure battery that ends in an Anderson connector (that's the small grey one between crocodile clip and solar controller).

 

[Peregrinator]

Is there a reason why you can't put a solar panel on the roof?

 

[Peregrinator]

Excuse if some of what I write is obvious to you. It's hard to know what the recipient knows

In talking of keeping the starter battery charged during long periods of non driving you mentioned use of a B2B charger. That's not what a B2B charger does/is. It's fitted between starter battery and leisure battery so that a high charge can be fed from the alternator via the starter battery to the leisure battery.

Maybe you were thinking of the Battery Master some people had mentioned? That's a doo dah that directs some of the solar charge to the starter battery. You need to be sure it will work with you vehicle electrics. Another way to achieve this is a solar controller with dual battery outputs (for example the Votronic Duo Digital). I reckon both unnecessary cost though. Just do as you said - connect the solar panel to the starter battery using the crocodile clips it comes with. It just means you have to monitor the battery voltage to know when it needs it. Instal a permanent cable on the leisure battery that ends in an Anderson connector (that's the small grey one between crocodile clip and solar controller).

"connect the solar panel to the starter battery using the crocodile clips" you don't want to be putting 36 volts into your battery which most panels are.

 

[MarionK]

"connect the solar panel to the starter battery using the crocodile clips" you don't want to be putting 36 volts into your battery which most panels are.

I'm sure he means the ones that come with the solar panel, which come after the controller.

 

[funflair]

"connect the solar panel to the starter battery using the crocodile clips" you don't want to be putting 36 volts into your battery which most panels are.

I think the panel being discussed has a solar regulator stuck to the back of it so the output will be OK for a 12v battery.

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[MarionK]

Is there a reason why you can't put a solar panel on the roof?

It wouldn't be impossible, but it would be a heck of a faff, increase the opportunity for roof leaks and there's not much suitable space anyway. If I find I need more, it would have to be a portable in addition to a fixed anyway, so I might as well start with the portable. Maybe one day I will put some up top, but for now I want the flexibility of non-fixed panels.

 

[Peregrinator]

It wouldn't be impossible, but it would be a heck of a faff, increase the opportunity for roof leaks and there's not much suitable space anyway. If I find I need more, it would have to be a portable in addition to a fixed anyway, so I might as well start with the portable. Maybe one day I will put some up top, but for now I want the flexibility of non-fixed panels.

You don't screw them on, you stick them on, only leak you could get is from where the cable goes in, and its not much chance of that if done right, flexible solar might do for you, I had one before replacing it, it was quite a small 100w panel.

 

[MarionK]

You don't screw them on, you stick them on, only leak you could get is from where the cable goes in, and its not much chance of that if done right, flexible solar might do for you, I had one before replacing it, it was quite a small 100w panel.

Oh I know the sort you mean! That wasn't the 'flexible' I meant. I meant, as in adaptable, moveable, usable in diffferent situations.
Flexible solar on the roof is quite a thought though, just not right now. Thanks

 

[MarionK]

Actually though, that has made me realise there is another major problem with fixed panels . . . keeping them clean!
The roof gets dirty too fast as it is, and it's a PITA to clean, but at least a bit of muck doesn't stop the van from working!

 

[funflair]

Actually though, that has made me realise there is another major problem with fixed panels . . . keeping them clean!
The roof gets dirty too fast as it is, and it's a PITA to clean, but at least a bit of muck doesn't stop the van from working!

A "bit" of muck wouldn't stop flat panels working on the roof, indeed I have been up and cleaned ours a few times and not noticed any difference in output.

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[Thornebt]

I clean my roof mounted solar panel by fully opening the big skylight on my Autosleeper and standing on a stepstool inside the van. They won't be within reach for everyone but it makes it a doddle for me.

 

[MarionK]

Looks like I need to get a 12V battery, even when I just want to recharge my devices at home. It makes sense anyway, so the sun doesn't have to be shining when I recharge them, and I can use it to light my shed too.
So, another learning curve approaches . . .
The controller is for lead/acid or gel batteries, so I'll stick with that, but, as it's got 'deep discharge protection' do I actually need a deep cycle leisure battery (for home use), or will a regular car battery do?
I doubt very much that I will ever get anywhere near 50% discharge, even once I've got the shed lights set up. (Will be LED ofc.)

 

[Peregrinator]

Looks like I need to get a 12V battery, even when I just want to recharge my devices at home. It makes sense anyway, so the sun doesn't have to be shining when I recharge them, and I can use it to light my shed too.
So, another learning curve approaches . . .
The controller is for lead/acid or gel batteries, so I'll stick with that, but, as it's got 'deep discharge protection' do I actually need a deep cycle leisure battery (for home use), or will a regular car battery do?
I doubt very much that I will ever get anywhere near 50% discharge, even once I've got the shed lights set up. (Will be LED ofc.)

These Deep Cycle Batteries are not bad for price, I got two of theses while I wait to do lithium install, cheap too. https://premierbatteryservices.co.uk/product/dc12-120dt-sml/

 

[MarionK]

These Deep Cycle Batteries are not bad for price, I got two of theses while I wait to do lithium install, cheap too. https://premierbatteryservices.co.uk/product/dc12-120dt-sml/

It seems I was wrong to think that leisure batteries cost a lot more than regular. :?
Thanks for the recommendation, how do you know they are deep cycle though? There's precious little information there, and google hasn't helped with the nomenclature either. :?

 

[headlight]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/32134200...d=link&campid=5338547443&toolid=20001&mkevt=1 £90 delivered.

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[Peregrinator]

This photo of one of the boxes

 

[MarionK]

This photo of one of the boxes

Aha! So SML stands for 'Sealed Marine Leisure'. Maybe DT is for Dual Terminal? Why on earth don't they put proper descriptions on the website?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/32134200...d=link&campid=5338547443&toolid=20001&mkevt=1 £90 delivered.

Can't accuse this lot of lack of information, even if it is in Chinglese!