magicsurfbus
Free Member
Simple query (I hope):
I have a 85W monocrystalline solar panel on the roof, linked via charge controller to a 110Ah Elecsol carbon fibre leisure battery. It all works fine, and when laid up over winter the leisure battery remains fully charged.
However, the standard Fiat Ducato cab battery, which has three of those £10 solar trickle chargers connected to it in parallel (when laid up) routinely goes flat in winter.
I don't particularly want to fork out for another solar panel and charge controller.
It seems to me that it would make sense to link the leisure battery to the cab battery in parallel via some domestic-type electrical cable when the van is parked at its outdoor storage site. That way, the charge-controlled solar panel tops up both batteries.
Is this a sensible thing to attempt? And if so, what rating of cable should I use to remain safe? 10 Amps maybe?
Any advice/tips most welcome.
I have a 85W monocrystalline solar panel on the roof, linked via charge controller to a 110Ah Elecsol carbon fibre leisure battery. It all works fine, and when laid up over winter the leisure battery remains fully charged.
However, the standard Fiat Ducato cab battery, which has three of those £10 solar trickle chargers connected to it in parallel (when laid up) routinely goes flat in winter.
I don't particularly want to fork out for another solar panel and charge controller.
It seems to me that it would make sense to link the leisure battery to the cab battery in parallel via some domestic-type electrical cable when the van is parked at its outdoor storage site. That way, the charge-controlled solar panel tops up both batteries.
Is this a sensible thing to attempt? And if so, what rating of cable should I use to remain safe? 10 Amps maybe?
Any advice/tips most welcome.