Access to leisure battery terminals

[MarkP46]

Hi all. I am hoping to be able to connect a briefcase style solar panel to our leisure battery when we need too. However the battery is under the drivers seat with no access other than taking the drivers seat out. Dont want to do that everytime! Is there a way of adding some additional terminals in an easier to access location to allow me to connect solar much easier? The panel will have mppt controller etc. The van is a fiat ducato x250 dethleffs. Any help would be appreciated. Many thanks!

 

[pappajohn]

There should already be a jump post under the BONNET. Breakdown techy has to be able to jump start without removing the seat.
Possibly a red cover with a large + embossed on it.
Negative lead can be clipped to any suitable earth point

 

[mike mcglynn]

There is a connection under the bonnet the positive one is shrouded and may take a bit of finding.

 

[MarkP46]

Thanks Pappajohn. The jump points under the bonnet are for the engine battery only. I need to connect to the leisure battery.

 

[bigtwin]

There should already be a jump post under the BONNET. Breakdown techy has to be able to jump start without removing the seat.
Possibly a red cover with a large + embossed on it.
Negative lead can be clipped to any suitable earth point

There is a connection under the bonnet the positive one is shrouded and may take a bit of finding.

Pay attention at the back!

Ian

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[Lenny HB]

There should already be a jump post under the BONNET. Breakdown techy has to be able to jump start without removing the seat.
Possibly a red cover with a large + embossed on it.
Negative lead can be clipped to any suitable earth point

That only connects to the starter battery it's the leisure battery thats under the seat.

 

[Lenny HB]

You could fit a plug & socket, Anderson connectors are quite good. You really don't want to be connecting with croc clips to easy to have a short & start a fire.

 

[pappajohn]

Thanks Pappajohn. The jump points under the bonnet are for the engine battery only. I need to connect to the leisure battery.

Apologies, I assumed engine battery for some reason.

 

[namwaldog]

Would this sort of thing do?.....

12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine

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www.photonicuniverse.com

 

[autorouter]

There are a number of suitable plug/socket combinations possible, but there is not a recognised standard solution so it's a matter of picking one and using it. Whatever you use, make sure you put a fuse in the positive wire.

The panels often come with standard MC4 solar connectors, which are good but they are difficult to take apart. Easy with the inexpensive plastic disconnector tool, if you can find it when you need it.

Anderson plugs as namwaldog says are suitable, but a bit over-specified for a solar panel. Good for 50 amps at least.

I tend to favour MNL (Mate'N'Lok) connectors. The pins crimp on the wire with a standard non-insulated crimp tool. In use, they only connect one way, so you can't connect the wrong way round. Provided you wired it right to start with. They have a max current of about 15 amps, which is fine for a single solar panel.

Mate N Lok Universal Connector Pair - 2 Way

2 way Mate N Lok connectors for 0.5-2.0mm² cable provide secure and robust multiple connections. Supplied as a pair of male/female housings with all terminals.

www.12voltplanet.co.uk

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[pete4x4]

I use one of these to distribute the battery:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=373018103965

and one of these for the -ve

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=352121275580

Every connection gets its own fuse and there is also one overall fuse if you want to use it.

 

[Metamorfosis]

Not sure what van you have but if it has an ekektrobloc under the passenger seat there are connectors on the back feeding the leisure battery. You can get a feed from the controller onto the battery here to make it easier. Push the seat forward and you can usually get to the back of the ekektrobloc through the gap in the swivel plate.

Alternatively you can get an adapter or make one from mate nlok that fits an ekektrobloc from the front. This has wires that can then be tapped to the controller that you have with the panel

 

[autorouter]

Every connection gets its own fuse and there is also one overall fuse if you want to use it.

These distribution boxes are good, but the smallest Midi fuse I've found is 30A. A bit big for a solar panel.

 

[pete4x4]

These distribution boxes are good, but the smallest Midi fuse I've found is 30A. A bit big for a solar panel.

Very true but this is for the output of a solar controller which in my case is fused internally so in this instance the fuse is only used as a shorting link and against catastrophic failure of the wiring.

 

[MarkP46]

Thanks for your help everyone. Much to consider. I think I will try and go for anderson connectors with eyelet connections for the battery end. I will stick a fuse on the live as well. Great help and thanks for helping to sort my first issue.......

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[TheBig1]

I would go with anderson connectors too, which would also give a useful connection to power a small inverter occasionally