Lazy linking to a Solar panel

peterpinkhouse replied on 05/11/2018 10:24

peterpinkhouse

Posted on 05/11/2018 10:24

I am thinking of getting one for our (old) Eriba Pan whilst it's sitting in a shed, so that its leisure battery is on relatively constant charge - but want to avoid fiddle & cost of meddling with the electrics.

So I wondered whether I could simply wire the panel to the appropriate pins of a 13-pin socket and (if the sun shines) just plug it in to the caravan's 13-pin plug - and do nothing more than unplug it when driving away.

Please, please tell me it's a doddle.

15 replies

Merve replied on 13/11/2018 18:13

Member

Merve

Caravanner

Posted on 13/11/2018 18:13

The idea of crocodile clips or a cigarette lighter socket are both good. I would definitely back the idea from Bolero Boy to use a controller. Whatever you decide, the Solar panel is a fantastic addition to any caravan.

redface replied on 13/11/2018 22:08

redface

Caravanner

Posted on 13/11/2018 22:08

What sort of regulator would be inserted between a solar panel and the croc clips onto the battery terminal, what would be the likely cost of said item?

lornalou1 replied on 13/11/2018 22:46

lornalou1

Caravanner

Posted on 13/11/2018 22:46

Go on https://www.photonicuniverse.com/ and will give you some ideas as sell full kits with everything you need.

lornalou1 replied on 13/11/2018 22:54

lornalou1

Caravanner

Posted on 13/11/2018 22:54

https://www.photonicuniverse.com/en/catalog/full/142-30W-12V-solar-charging-kit-with-automatic-charge-controller-and-battery-cables-with-crocodile-clips.html

ocsid replied on 14/11/2018 06:52

Member

ocsid

Caravanner

Posted on 13/11/2018 22:08 by redface

What sort of regulator would be inserted between a solar panel and the croc clips onto the battery terminal, what would be the likely cost of said item?

Posted on 14/11/2018 06:52

This, if it is what it purports to be is an exceptionally good quality, low parasitic loss* controller for panels up to 80 Watts, at a very modest £35.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Morningstar-Sunsaver-SS-6L-12V/163316236638?hash=item260668015e:g:H54AAOSwmHdbROOf:rk:1:pf:0

* Low <8 mA self consumption.

Manual:

http://support.morningstarcorp.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/SS-3-IOM_v3.3_WEB.pdf