Solar panel problem

[Jeff one]

Hi this is this first time I have used the support, hope some one can help, will a solar panel fail to charge the battery sufficiently to start the engine after about 2 weeks with the type of weather we have been having lately, is parked up in storage,
Cheers
Jeff

 

[XxAnthxX]

Possibly....depending on the size of the panel, if it’s actually connected in anyway to the cab battery and the battery’s condition/age.

 

[tonka]

On my apache 700 (2012). I had a 120w panel.
I often found it was not enough in deepest winter to maintain the batteries when parked up, the Sargent unit itself has a small paracitic drain of around 0.2amp, over time that can soon take the batteries down. The van went on EHU every few weeks just for a day to give it a boost.

Also depending on what Sargent unit is fitted you need to ensure you have it set up correctly to allow charging to both batteries. A common error on the EC500 is that people turn off the shutdown switch and that disables the Smart charging and hence only the leisure battery gets charged.

 

[AndyPK]

The battery should be able to start the engine after two weeks without a solar panel connected unless it is in poor condition....or something has been left turned-on (lights, radio, etc.)........

 

[Wikky]

It make receive more charge by starting the engine and running it for a while. No good for the environment of course.

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[AndyPK]

It make receive more charge by starting the engine and running it for a while. No good for the environment of course.

Nor the DPF, if fitted!!

 

[Jeff one]

Hi thanks for the responses I am off to check a few things out,

 

[Jeff one]

Well things are looking the same, got the wife on the van roof ( well wrapped up) with a torch on the solar panel for a few hours and NOTHING, me darling is now refusing to do tea

 

[Googlebot]

Brave!

 

[Hymie]

We have 300w of solar on the roof, it's kept the 3 x 100ah leisure batteries and the cab battery via a Battery Master topped up since we last got to use her 14 months ago, I don't believe a 100w solar panel is enough in an English winter.

the engine is till starting on the first turn on the very rare occasion I can get to her and LB's showing 13.5v.

Saw someone selling 215w panels for 60 quid on FB last week, well worth the investment.

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[ToBoldlyGo]

I have just an 80 watt folding panel from photonic and have no problem over the winter keeping 1 battery charged with it.

For the other battery I periodically take my optimate dc-dc battery charger and a spare 12v battery along to the van.

I really like both these products but it is a faff compared to a proper roof solar setup.

 

[68c]

Well things are looking the same, got the wife on the van roof ( well wrapped up) with a torch on the solar panel for a few hours and NOTHING, me darling is now refusing to do tea

Get a college girl, their much brighter.