Extra battery (1 Viewer)

[ips]

OK...... following on from solar thread what about instead of solar panel fitting an additionall 85a leasure battery, presumably that would give me double the usage ?? Just wire it in parralel to existing battery ???
Only problem would be were to fit it cos would need heavy duty wire I spose so would be a long wire to garage.
Any thoughts...good idea...bad idea....etc etc
Ian

 

[Geo]

Always a good idea fitting extra batteries:thumb: and solar too in my opinion
But it should be located so as to minimise the length of cable reqd
ie as close to the other as possible

 

[ips]

Always a good idea fitting extra batteries:thumb: and solar too in my opinion
But it should be located so as to minimise the length of cable reqd
ie as close to the other as possible

Yep thats what I thought could be difficult though cos current one is under passenger seat. Could prob fit one under bonnet on a bulkhead but still got 5' or so of cable ?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[hilldweller]

OK...... following on from solar thread what about instead of solar panel fitting an additionall 85a leasure battery, presumably that would give me double the usage ?? Just wire it in parralel to existing battery ???
Only problem would be were to fit it cos would need heavy duty wire I spose so would be a long wire to garage.
Ian

The problem is just like a fuel tank, you can double it's size and go twice as far then you have to spend twice as long filling it. You have to match income to outgoings.

Where you put it is not important. Most of the time you only draw the odd amp or two and voltage drop is not a killer.

 

[ips]

The problem is just like a fuel tank, you can double it's size and go twice as far then you have to spend twice as long filling it. You have to match income to outgoings.

Where you put it is not important. Most of the time you only draw the odd amp or two and voltage drop is not a killer.

I am confused as to solar panel or battery ????

 

[DESCO]

I would say both if you intend going without hook up's


Dave:thumb::thumb:

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[ips]

I would say both if you intend going without hook up's


Dave:thumb::thumb:

Spose that definately coversit then but what is minimum size of solar I require just to trickle charge during the day.??

 

[DESCO]

Spose that definately coversit then but what is minimum size of solar I require just to trickle charge during the day.??

Not certain have not gone that route yet, but someone is bound to know.


Dave:thumb::thumb:

 

[ips]

Not certain have not gone that route yet, but someone is bound to know.


Dave:thumb::thumb:

Thanks :thumb:

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[BigJohn]

I've just had a 130 watt solar panel fitted on the roof, and a 300 watt inverter (just for the 19" LCD telly). Solar panel charges the 85 amp leisure battery only, NOT the vehicle battery.
I queries if one leisure battery was adequate and was told to suck it and see. Good advice I think.

This was advised by South Yorkshire Motorhomes, and seems to me to be good advice.

I switch the inverter off when telly not in use.
I'm off up Scotland on Monday the 7rh September for a few weeks - that'll be a good test.
If I find that I need another battery, that's easily enough done.

 

[Wildman]

I've just had a 130 watt solar panel fitted on the roof, and a 300 watt inverter (just for the 19" LCD telly). Solar panel charges the 85 amp leisure battery only, NOT the vehicle battery.
I queries if one leisure battery was adequate and was told to suck it and see. Good advice I think.

This was advised by South Yorkshire Motorhomes, and seems to me to be good advice.

I switch the inverter off when telly not in use.
I'm off up Scotland on Monday the 7rh September for a few weeks - that'll be a good test.
If I find that I need another battery, that's easily enough done.

I think you will find that you are wasting power and running your existing battery low at times with nothing in reserve. 2 x 110 amp/hr batteries will complete the setup for you.

 

[BigJohn]

Thanks Wildman, I will be keeping an eye on things.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[pappajohn]

Spose that definately coversit then but what is minimum size of solar I require just to trickle charge during the day.??

if you just want to trickle charge get one of those dashboard solars.....total waste of cash unless you leave it connected at home/storage while not using the van.

trickle charging wont top up your battery..only maintain it if its not being used.

ideally you need to put back in what you take out each hour..

10ah out...10ah in, but of course most of the day you aint drawing anything from the battery so it does get chance to recover.

i have a 330ah battery bank and a 120w panel which gives me about 6 to 7amps per hour in good sunny weather.


this just about covers my battery usage for an average evening....lights, TV, sat box, water pump etc.
a couple of days without sun and i start to suffer lowish battery reserves but then i run my genny:thumb:

id say a couple of 85ah batteries would need a minimum 55/60w panel to keep on top of them depending how power hungry you are.


if i allow my batteries to get to a very low, and not advisable, 50% charge it will take, theoreticly, 23.5 hours of strong sunshine to charge them fully from my panel at 7amps or 6.6 hours from my genny at 25amps.

 

[The Wild Ones]

I have had installed an extra battery (180ah in total) together with two solar panels (163w in total). I deliberately added more solar for winter use, when less daylight is available and hence battery drain will inevitably increase as a result.

Our two week holiday recently was a great success with regard to battery power management with no EHU used (or needed) for the entire duration.