Connecting solar panel

[Odd-no-more]

I have not used solar before. I have a panel but no controller. I think the last guy just put the wires straight on the battery. Is that safe? Will it work? I've seen controllers on Amazon for about £8 will they do the job? Sorry for so many questions. But this is all very new to me

 

[Silver-Fox]

You need a controller

Buy cheap and buy twice

 

[ramsthom]

Depends on the size of the solar panel. A small one that fits on the dashboard would be ok to fit directly to the battery but anything above 15 watts would have to have a controller.

 

[tonka]

The solar panel on its own will generate over 20+ volts so a direct connection will overcharge the battery. It does need a regulator to convert the voltage. Some very small panels are connected straight to the battery but this is only because that are so low powered they don't go above any critical voltage.


Ref cheap regulators / controllers I see no issues and my past van had a £10 eBay version that worked perfectly for 5 years before I sold the van with it still fitted and working. They do the job for the money

Get it fitted...

 

[DBK]

I have not used solar before. I have a panel but no controller. I think the last guy just put the wires straight on the battery. Is that safe? Will it work? I've seen controllers on Amazon for about £8 will they do the job? Sorry for so many questions. But this is all very new to me

You can connect the panel directly to the battery, that's exactly how cheap controllers work, dragging the panel voltage down to the same as the battery. If you can remember to disconnect it once the voltage climbs above something like 14.5 volts then it will work. Forget to disconnect it once and you might be needing a new battery and with a strong sense of regret at not buying a controller!

An MPPT type controller, possibly £60+, can give up to half as much again charging current as a cheap controller but cheap ones work, just not as well as a good one. Take your choice but fit some sort of controller.

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[Odd-no-more]

thank you everyone for the prompt replies. I will fit a controller before I use it. I have just had to replace the leisure battery and this may be part of the reason.

 

[Silver-Fox]

Buy a good MPPT controller.
Much cheaper than new leisure batteries

 

[Odd-no-more]

You need a controller

Buy cheap and buy twice

One of my colleges says "only a rich man can afford to buy cheap carpet"

 

[Lenny HB]

Really need to know what size panel and how you use your van.

As said if the panel is on the roof it's lightly to be too big to connect direct to the battery.
If it has been wired like that I would disconnect it now or you will be needing new batteries.

If you have a Brit van with a Sargent system the Sargent chargers have a cheap charger built into them normally OK for up to 120 watts.

As John says cheap ones work just not very well. Worth investing in a decent MPPT regulator. If you are thinking of adding more solar buy a regulator suitable for future needs. A Votronic or Victron depending on power £80 to £200.

 

[Silver-Fox]

One of my colleges says "only a rich man can afford to buy cheap carpet"

I’ve heard the same.
Just approach the job the same as if you’re going n a clients house.
Spend the money

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[autorouter]

If you're going to buy a controller, consider getting one that has two outputs, that will also keep the starter battery topped up. It's annoying to find out these things exist just after you buy a single output controller.

 

[Odd-no-more]

Thanks everyone. I've just checked the panel and it has a controller built in, my fault hadn't looked at it before now.