Connecting a solar panel

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davemanship
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Connecting a solar panel

Post by davemanship » Sun Apr 30, 2017 9:43 am

Hi all again. I have just got a 100w solar panel for billybong. Its a stick on item so will be permanently connected. Not sure what split charger is currently connected to charge leisure battery. I plan to connect solar controller to the back of 12v output in rear to back feed into leisure battery. Does anybody know if this may cause any issues with current split charge system?
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g8dhe
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Re: Connecting a solar panel

Post by g8dhe » Sun Apr 30, 2017 11:34 am

No shouldn't be any problem, remember the Controller needs to see the battery before it will start up, in most cases, so if you have any switching in the conversion between Controller and LB and SB then having it in the OFF position may cause the Controller to not fire up until it sees one or the other.
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davemanship
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Re: Connecting a solar panel

Post by davemanship » Sun Apr 30, 2017 1:38 pm

Thanks for that. There is no switching so panel will be permanently connected
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Re: Connecting a solar panel

Post by Bomber » Sun Apr 30, 2017 5:53 pm

Not solar panel but same idea of connecting into rear 12v socket

I know you can get some jump start thing that connects into sockets of dead battery car and running car (charges the dead battery)
Is it possible to put the o/p of a battery charger into one of the 12v sockets for the intention of charging the leisure battery? was thinking of the likes of one of the chargers used on caravans when on EHU

Dont want a full EHU conversion, but would like something that i could use on a removable kitchen pod....
If no EHU plug lead for tap into van socket for 12v from LB
If on EHU plug lead from battery charger (run from mains) into van socket to charge LB
Different day, same shit..... only the level varies
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Re: Connecting a solar panel

Post by Bob » Sun Apr 30, 2017 6:46 pm

You need the key in the 'Accessory' position for the lighter sockets to be live, although this could be easily changed. :wink:
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Re: Connecting a solar panel

Post by Dodgey » Tue May 30, 2017 6:49 pm

If you use the rear cig socket, apart from your solar only working with the ignition on (easily remedied mind you), you will also be sending your precious solar energy down some very thin cables, losing some voltage on the way.

Much bettery to run a dedicated pair of cables to the battery, or to the back of an existing PMU that has decent wires going to the battery.

Running wires the length of a bongo is really very easy.
http://www.solarcampersolutions.co.uk Solar panel solutions for campervans
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Re: Connecting a solar panel

Post by Bob » Tue May 30, 2017 8:52 pm

The coated wire used for net curtains is good for threading cables, or you can buy proper kits:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/?iid=262433719 ... 758&chn=ps
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