Solar panel

[al & chris]

Does anyone know if the alternator can be damaged by using a solar panel as we are looking at getting a Briefcase Solar Panel 13 Watt sold by towsure. Will be using it to charge leisure battery which is charged via split charge relay.

[dave_aber]

With the engine stopped the split charge relay will be open, so the L/B will be disconnected from the starter battery (and alternator) - so there would be no way the solar panel could affect the alternator.

[francophile1947]

Bear in mind that it will only produce 1 amp, when in full sun and moved to face it regularly - you really need something a lot more powerful to be of any real use However, if that's what you're after, Maplins do them for nearly £30 less http://www.maplin.co.uk/microsites/sola ... nuNo=69691

[al & chris]

We only run lights and a small compresor fridge of leisure battery. Solar panel is just for additional battery top up. Thanks for maplins info quite a bit cheaper.

[haydn callow]

IMHO they are a waste of money.......much better to run the engine for 15 mins.....that would put 12 hours of sunshine in the battery.

[dave_aber]

I agree that these solar panels are just too weedy to be of any real use until you get into megabucks - Has anyone found a cost-effective wind turbine that can be used in practice to keep a L/B topped up during wild camping (Fridge, some lights, radio, etc) ?

I'm thinking about the type you typically see on small yachts etc.

[haydn callow]

I fitted a wind turbine to the Bongo but it was a real pain dismantling it all at every bridge.

[Colin H F]

Yea know where your coming from Dave a caravan park near mine in Formby has not got electricity laid on and in the past they used generators but I have noticed quite a few have now got these wind turbines so they must be easily available Colin

[stilldesperate]

The Rutland 913 is very popular on boats (I use one), but they're heavy, and a very awkward shape to stow - the blades would take a bit of time to fasten / unfasten each time.

If you're truly into wild-camping (ie well away from neighbours), I think a small "suitcase" generator is the way to go.

SD

[dave_aber]

I'm thinking more of the music festivals type of wild camping. Maybe running the engine for a short while each day is all that I'd need.

Covering the AFT in solar panels, and parking facing North sounds like a great idea, but just doesn't make sense when you do the sums. Next best idea was a wee wind turbine on a pole, attached to brackets on the back of the Bongo - but it might be more trouble and cost than it's worth.

[haydn callow]

A wind turbine attached in any way to the Bongo is not a good idea....the "vibration" noise would drive you bonkers...,

[Alison01326]

There was another thread about the pros & cons here http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... 51&start=0 recently. I was looking at the products on this website http://www.shop.solar-wind.co.uk/acatal ... rgers.html and they do do a small wind generator but in addition to cost, there would always be the risk of theft as well as the hassle of assembly/disassembly and stowage. One day, maybe - a friend has one on her boat and is amazed how efficiently it keeps the battery charged. I think they have a TV now for entertainment, but before, she used to watch her voltmeter

[mikeonb4c]

If you're truly into wild-camping (ie well away from neighbours), I think a small "suitcase" generator is the way to go.
SD

I've pondered on all this for some time (including immersible water turbines) but really, I think SD is right. The suitcase generator makes most sense, and any ingenuity is best directed to making it as quiet and unobtrusive as poss so you might even be able to use it next to neighbours (I usually camp at BF meets with no hookup but with neighbours) - I wonder JUST how quiet you could get one of these things if you put it in a soundproof enclosure

[francophile1947]

I wonder JUST how quiet you could get one of these things if you put it in a soundproof enclosure

Very quiet Mike, for a short time - to be really soundproof it would need to be almost airtight and engines don't like that

[Rhinoman]

The Maplins 1.5W panels are regularly discounted to £9.99 each. They aren't much use on site but I have used similar panels for ther last 20yrs to keep batteries topped up during storage, they do a good job of reducing the current draw from radios, immobilisers etc.. I use one for the main battery and one for the secondary battery.