12s connection for solar panel - help please

[mickyw]

Hi, I have noticed a few people on rallies connecting their solar panels to the 12s socket at the front of the caravan. This appeals to me as it is nice and neat don't have to mess about with the battery each time.

I have the 12s pin diagram and was going to use pins 3 & 4 but wondered if the van/car selector switch inside the van would isolate the 12s socket once switched to van?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Mikey1]

If you have a solar panel you will still need a battery to store the energy created.Bigger panels have a outlet for 12v items but these need to be low ampage and will obviously not work at night.

Easier method i found was to add an extra + & - connection with a connector onto my battery in the battery box so all i do is connect to this will the panel.

If you get a panel over 15w you should have a regulator or you will cook the battery

 

[JTQ]

Mike:

If its an older van then it should work but its not really suitable if its a modern van.

With modern vans the connection to the vans battery is via an isolating relay that cuts all battery outlets whilst its coupled to the car. In my case a feature integrated into the Charger/controller unit.

This means your wasting your precious solar power on that relay and nothing in the van will work whilst your connected; all assuming the solar output is enough to power the relay.

I personally couple via a DIN socket I wired directly.

Page 80 item R512 on this link:

http://www.caktanks.com/files/CAK_TANKS_CATALOGUE_2009_LOW_RES.pdf

 

[mickyw]

Hi, thanks for your comments...

I have had the solar panel for a couple of years so understand that I need a battery, etc.

It is because I have a new van (2008) that I did not want to mess around in the battery box basically.

Micky

 

[JTQ]

With a 2008 van you will have to find an alternative to the 12S