Portable solar panel question (1 Viewer)

[mike9jr]

When I got the new van, it came with a small briefcase style and size portable solar panel and cable with crocodile clips on the end. No instructions, and no labels on it.

I'm guessing its no use to charge me leisure batteries without some for of control panel or inverter but I have to profes my ignorance of such things. Looking at stuff on the web would suggest its not much use on its own....

Is it any use????

Ta

mike

 

[Terry]

Yes simply clip it to your L/B or I will give you 30 quid for it Just thought 30 may be too generous 20 then or I may stick to the first offer
terry

 

[DavidG58]

Be careful, I was 'given' something similar a few years ago when we had a caravan, did just as Terry suggested, checked the voltage during the day, full sun in France, all looked good

Went dark, switched on a light, nothing, we had cooked our LB

When I got home I told the tale to the donor, who said, same thing happened to me

Thanks, don't do it to yours, unless it is very low output, it needs a regulator

Not a very technical answer, but I think you already had the same idea

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

 

[pappajohn]

An add to davids post.
Solar under 30watts doesnt really need a regulator and judging by the size given i would estimate the wattage at no more than 15watts.

At most that will provide 1 amp.

Fine for charging your phone, ipad or a couple of rechargable AA cells but more than that is wishfull thinking.

 

[dryad]

is it possibly a low wattage one to keep the vehicle battery topped up?

(am having a problem with my panel van conversion, if i don't run it for a couple of weeks the van battery is dead and i need a jump start. have just had eight weeks spent indoors with kidney stones and not been able to use it, so am going to be getting a small 12v panel to put against the inside of the windscreen, either 2.4w or 4.8w to keep it topped up, not really sure what one to get. would certainly appreciate any recommendations from those who know about these things. had a brand new heavy duty battery put on the van a few months ago in anticipation of scampering around for the summer, alas, so far that hasn't been possible)

apologies for jumping into your thread with another query mike..

 

[Terry]

My offer of 20/30 quid is looking like a bargain Some suitcase ones are 60 w claimed but they have a built in regulator lots are 30 w -only looking to pass it on to the owner of this van I am converting he may find it useful WHO KNOWS I MAY EVEN USE IT MYSELF -never needed one yet but ?
terry

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

 

[Terry]

is it possibly a low wattage one to keep the vehicle battery topped up?

(am having a problem with my panel van conversion, if i don't run it for a couple of weeks the van battery is dead and i need a jump start. have just had eight weeks spent indoors with kidney stones and not been able to use it, so am going to be getting a small 12v panel to put against the inside of the windscreen, either 2.4w or 4.8w to keep it topped up, not really sure what one to get. would certainly appreciate any recommendations from those who know about these things. had a brand new heavy duty battery put on the van a few months ago in anticipation of scampering around for the summer, alas, so far that hasn't been possible)

apologies for jumping into your thread with another query mike..

No need to apologize people always jump onto threads but they soon get back on course I have asked the same question in the past thinking along the line of just a cheapo from Maplins /halfords one at about a tenner -some say no good at all while others say it works for them
Never got around to either so cannot comment
terry

 

[pappajohn]

is it possibly a low wattage one to keep the vehicle battery topped up?

(am having a problem with my panel van conversion, if i don't run it for a couple of weeks the van battery is dead and i need a jump start. have just had eight weeks spent indoors with kidney stones and not been able to use it, so am going to be getting a small 12v panel to put against the inside of the windscreen, either 2.4w or 4.8w to keep it topped up, not really sure what one to get. would certainly appreciate any recommendations from those who know about these things. had a brand new heavy duty battery put on the van a few months ago in anticipation of scampering around for the summer, alas, so far that hasn't been possible)

apologies for jumping into your thread with another query mike..

2.4w (1/4amp) and 4.8w (1/2amp) wont even keep it charged.
The batteries self discharge rate will be close to that.

30 watt (just over 2 amps) is the best option for maintenance charge.and you wont get much more than 1.5amps at the best of times so wont cook your battery

 

[mike9jr]

Thanks to all for the comments.
£30 and it's yours

Mike

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

 

[Terry]

Thanks to all for the comments.
£30 and it's yours

Mike

£30 inc P&P ? or if going to Lincoln find me out I'll be in the armored van with security
terry

 

[dryad]

2.4w (1/4amp) and 4.8w (1/2amp) wont even keep it charged.
The batteries self discharge rate will be close to that.

30 watt (just over 2 amps) is the best option for maintenance charge.and you wont get much more than 1.5amps at the best of times so wont cook your battery

thank you for the info pappajohn, i did ask this question on another forum and they suggested that the 2.4w would be adequate, i'm a total klutz when it comes to volts, amps and watts etc. which is why i had a very simple set up on that side of things when i had my van converted..

had no idea at the time that modern vans with alarms and immobilisers drew so much from the battery when they're sat idle..
in fact, why do they? my car has both on and never once has the battery flattened when it's not been used..

 

[Wildman]

why not just add a regulator for peace of mind.
.

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

 

[mike9jr]

This looks like mine -
Broken Link Removed

I discovered a wire coming up through the dash and it plugs into the panel. A green light comes on that says 'charging'. I unplugged it as that must be a charge coming from the battery, but why? and which battery? I can't see anything obvious at the leisure battery, although having said that, there are a lot of what look like original fix wires going to the terminals, housed under the pax seat.
And I found a rear aux for the stereo, plugged the iphone in and bingo, I have access to all my music!! Result