Trickle charge (1 Viewer)

[Happycampers1]

I'm thinking of connecting a solar panel to trickle charge our main battery when the MH is standing for a few weeks as we travel home to see family before returning to pick it up and continue with our travels. I have no idea where the battery is ( 2007 Swift Kon Tiki on a Fiat Ducato 3l multijet). I know where the jump start points are so my question is........... can I put the charger on the jump start points under the bonnet or does it have to be connected to the battery itself. If so where is it?
Sorry if it sounds a stupid question!

 

[pappajohn]

You can connect to the posts under the bonnet....they are there for that purpose.

More of a concern is the solar panel.....you are going to need a rather large one in winter.

80 to 100 watt may keep it going all winter but bearing in mind the sun dont shine much and it can be a few days without it altogether.

At best in mid summer an 80 watt panel will give maybe 4amps per hour.....that can reduce to less than 1amp in winter.

 

[Happycampers1]

Good point Pappajohn but it's in the Algarve so unless it's got a lot colder and darker in the past few days we should get enough to keep the battery topped up enough to start it. The battery is in good condition and I only want it kept topped up not charged from scratch.

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[Taran_Las]

To avoid damage to your battery a large panel would need a 'solar controller' fitted too.

 

[pappajohn]

To avoid damage to your battery a large panel would need a 'solar controller' fitted too.

Oh shit......too much sherry

 

[DBK]

Typical solar chargers to keep vehicle batteries charged are around 15W. But if it is only for a few weeks and for some reason you think the battery will run flat then just disconnect it. It will come to no harm and will retain its charge.

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[Happycampers1]

Thanks everyone. Have a great Christmas wherever you are. And never too much sherry!