solar panel... good idea..????

[dandywarhol]

I got a 48w solar panel reduced from Maplin a little while back. I place it under the sun roof and hold it in place by sliding the blind under it and then connect it to the cig socket. This keeps the leisure battery from going flat. Since I don't use the bongo very often and there is a small drain on the battery by the radio and battery low voltage cut-out it use to go flat, particularly when I go away for a couple of weeks. Since I started using the solar panel it has been ok. Of course I have to remove it when driving the bongo as it said on the instructions that it should not be left on when starting the engine.

Manny

any pics manny? 48w is a BIG panel

[g8dhe]

Maplin currently do a 60W unit for £300. Thats 5 amps at 12v ONLY whilst the sun is shining brightly.
Provided you can run the engine for a few hours each day a second L/B would be a lot cheaper!
Its also not clear ( I'm pretty certain it doesn't have) a proper charger circuit to make the best of lower sun light levels - this web page gives an explanation of what is needed and why, but is designed for smaller charging currents.
This site will sell you a much better set of charger electronics or for higher currents as well at not to bad a price, but little hard info on light levels and solar panels recommended.

[Manny]

Sorry Dandy, slip of the keyboard. I meant 4.8 watts. Four point eight. Wish it was 48 thought would not have been bad for £25. Don't think you need picture, it's just slightly smaller than the sun roof window.

Manny