Solar battery maintainer

[Brakers]

Hi All you experienced and technical electrical MH’ers as some of you good people know I was away from this country for four months on returning my Ford Focus Diesel had a flat battery, I’ve recently come back from a 2 and a half month away and although the Focus battery was not completely flat it would not start the engine. I thought I would buy a solar battery maintainer as there is no way I can get power to the battery as I live in a Housing Association flat.
My question is I’ve bought a Allpower battery maintainer which has a maximum output of 18 watts which can connect to my battery by the cigarette lighter socket.

Amazon product ASIN B01N1OUIA3
I’ve tested the voltage output on a reasonable sunny day and it comes in at 20 volts there does not seem to be any controller with this although it says in the instructions that it can be used with one.
If left over the winter say from 1st of December to the end of March would this damage the battery without a controller or not.
Many Thanks Tony

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

cigarette lighter sockets are usually not live when the ignition is off, so will not charge/connect to battery , best connected direct to the battery, but not a lot of amps generated from these over the winter. woudn,t damage the battery as most have a diode that prevents discharge etc.
text advises as not completely waterproof so would need to be inside the vehicle

 

[Brakers]

Hi Jimbohorlicks thanks for the quick reply, I’ve tested the cigarette lighter socket and without the ignition turned on the socket is still live so fits what will work with this charger, the solar panel will be inside the vehicle so no problem there.
My problem that this is about 3 times the other battery maintainer’s are which concerned me a bit. I did not want to damage the battery. The other ones I’ve seen are about 6 watts so as this one is higher That is what concerned me.
Best Wishes Tony

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

appears to have good customer reviews ,so must work reasonably well

 

[Camping Gaza]

considering they are so cheap why not connect the solar panel to a small solar charger, 20v in from the panel and a 3 stage charge out from the controller, inc maintenance, all safe all regulated and you can connect the controller direct to the battery permanently.

about 6 to 10 quid on flea bag

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[Brakers]

Hi Camping Gaza I think that might be the best and safest solution, I’ll get one when I’m back from the Western MH Show. Best Wishes Tony

 

[Richard n Ann]

I wouldn't buy a cheap controller, it might end up using more power than the solar panel makes in winter. I would buy a 10w panel and connect it directly, and tilt it south in winter.

 

[Reallyretired]

I have a 10w panel which is weatherproof. Just sits on the roof with magnetic strips to secure it. Connected via the permanently live pin on the towbar.

 

[ChrisL]

Have you considered taking the battery off and leaving it on a trickle charger, like an optimate when you are away? I use the one in the link, don't worry about it being for a motorcycle it works fine on a 100 ah battery for maintenance.

Amazon product ASIN B00ABG85QO

 

[Brakers]

Have you considered taking the battery off and leaving it on a trickle charger, like an optimate when you are away? I use the one in the link, don't worry about it being for a motorcycle it works fine on a 100 ah battery for maintenance.

Hi ChrisL Thanks for that it is certainly an option.
Best Wishes Tony

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