I will be leaving our Fiat Ducato Motorhome [Avan Ovation M5] parked up for an 8 week period over the Christmas period [I wont be around], and am worried that the car battery will go flat. Knowing that batteries don't like going flat, I was thinking of buying a "Solution X Trickle Charger Solar Panel - 1.5w". I was wondering if anyone had any experience of these. I understand that you don't need to disconnect your battery for these units to just trickle charge the battery when not in use for an extended period.
Hope someone has used one, or perhaps there is a better one around.
I have 320watts of solar panels on the roof, and 3 x 100 amp hour house batteries, so perhaps I could harness this instead, but am concerned that it might not have the necessary controls for safe trickle charging.
Colin
macka17 said
08:40 PM Sep 29, 2017
Hi.
As long as you have a smart regulator.
it'll trickle them for 6 months or more.
I used to leave a 90ltr fridge (Compressor) on to activate the system.
5 yrs without moving. only lost one battery of the pr.
But it was around 4 when I put them down.
A lot depends on your regulutor.
Make and model??
Aus-Kiwi said
08:45 PM Sep 29, 2017
The solar panel is low wattage . You'll be fine !!
Splottboy said
09:04 PM Sep 29, 2017
thanks Aus-Kiwi and Macka
I just want to drive off when I return, and don't want a flat battery.
I presume the Solution X system comes with a smart regulator ? BCF sell them
Splottboy said
09:11 PM Sep 29, 2017
Charges 12V batteries with the sun
Ideal for maintenance of infrequently used 12V batteries
Amorphous technology performs well in cloudy conditions
Built in overcharge regulator and blocking diode to prevent battery discharge at night
Alligator clips and 12V DC cigar plug included
IT COMES WITH ALL OF THE ABOVE
Peter_n_Margaret said
11:32 AM Sep 30, 2017
It would be fine, but so would just disconnecting the battery.
So would connecting it to the van's existing solar system which is what I have done for 6 months at a time, and more.
Cheers,
Peter
macka17 said
10:39 AM Oct 1, 2017
Try again. Read post below. --------------- Trickle panel. I'd buy a 5w with $10 reg. clip to battery.
That way it has reserves. (OLD school. Overkill but safer.)
-----------
-- Edited by macka17 on Monday 2nd of October 2017 12:17:16 AM
Splottboy said
10:37 PM Oct 1, 2017
thanks Macca, but your language often confuses me. I dont think $50 is too much to pay for a solar charger, and give me a guarantee of starting after 8 weeks. I am not sure if your suggestion to let the battery go flat [if thats wht I understand you are sayong], is a good idea for a battery ??
macka17 said
12:20 AM Oct 2, 2017
Sorry Pills and Geordie dialect coming out.
Basically. 8 weeks with a good battery.
Just fully charge. disconnect from ALL wires.(Pos and neg)
and forget.
Should be ok.
You want to float it?.
I'd get slightly larger\higher output panel with cheap regulator.
5\10w Panel, With 4 or 6a reg, cheap as))
Can do other things then too.
while not costing much more than your $50ish.
I was just saying.
disconnection is so ANY little thing (IE LED somewhere).
Won't drain, flatten it eventually.
You not sure what you doing. Disconnect ALL wires. No chance of leakoff.
A 5 or 10w panel will do to charge Tablet\ph etc battery's
while away from M\Home, Van etc. Just keep in boot.
Multiple usage.
Jaahn said
09:31 AM Oct 3, 2017
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
It would be fine, but so would just disconnecting the battery. So would connecting it to the van's existing solar system which is what I have done for 6 months at a time, and more.
Cheers, Peter
Hi Splottboy,
+1 for connecting the car battery to the house battery and solar system. That is how my MH works and it sits there for months sometimes and just starts up when I want it.
Hi,
I will be leaving our Fiat Ducato Motorhome [Avan Ovation M5] parked up for an 8 week period over the Christmas period [I wont be around], and am worried that the car battery will go flat. Knowing that batteries don't like going flat, I was thinking of buying a "Solution X Trickle Charger Solar Panel - 1.5w". I was wondering if anyone had any experience of these. I understand that you don't need to disconnect your battery for these units to just trickle charge the battery when not in use for an extended period.
Hope someone has used one, or perhaps there is a better one around.
I have 320watts of solar panels on the roof, and 3 x 100 amp hour house batteries, so perhaps I could harness this instead, but am concerned that it might not have the necessary controls for safe trickle charging.
Colin
As long as you have a smart regulator.
it'll trickle them for 6 months or more.
I used to leave a 90ltr fridge (Compressor) on to activate the system.
5 yrs without moving. only lost one battery of the pr.
But it was around 4 when I put them down.
A lot depends on your regulutor.
Make and model??
I just want to drive off when I return, and don't want a flat battery.
I presume the Solution X system comes with a smart regulator ? BCF sell them
So would connecting it to the van's existing solar system which is what I have done for 6 months at a time, and more.
Cheers,
Peter
Try again. Read post below.
---------------
Trickle panel.
I'd buy a 5w with $10 reg. clip to battery.
That way it has reserves. (OLD school. Overkill but safer.)
-----------
-- Edited by macka17 on Monday 2nd of October 2017 12:17:16 AM
thanks Macca, but your language often confuses me. I dont think $50 is too much to pay for a solar charger, and give me a guarantee of starting after 8 weeks. I am not sure if your suggestion to let the battery go flat [if thats wht I understand you are sayong], is a good idea for a battery ??
Basically. 8 weeks with a good battery.
Just fully charge. disconnect from ALL wires.(Pos and neg)
and forget.
Should be ok.
You want to float it?.
I'd get slightly larger\higher output panel with cheap regulator.
5\10w Panel, With 4 or 6a reg, cheap as))
Can do other things then too.
while not costing much more than your $50ish.
I was just saying.
disconnection is so ANY little thing (IE LED somewhere).
Won't drain, flatten it eventually.
You not sure what you doing. Disconnect ALL wires. No chance of leakoff.
A 5 or 10w panel will do to charge Tablet\ph etc battery's
while away from M\Home, Van etc. Just keep in boot.
Multiple usage.
Hi Splottboy,
+1 for connecting the car battery to the house battery and solar system. That is how my MH works and it sits there for months sometimes and just starts up when I want it.
Jaahn