SOLAR PANELS FOR KEEPING BATTERY CHARGED

[KEVIN_374238203]

My caravan lives in a storage compound between jaunts. Every time I attempt to draw it out of it's berth using the "mover" I find the battery is too weak to perform. To combat this problem I am considering the use of a solar panel to keep the battery topped-up and would welcome any comments or advice on this subject.

 

[Lol1]

Hi Kevin, without knowing your usage pattern a response is difficult.

Do you only use your van a fews times a year? The reason I ask, is that a battery should keep most of it's charge over most of the season. It might be worth getting it checked out and your vans wiring, it could be leaking current elsewhere. It would be cheaper to buy a new, perhaps even bigger battery, than invest in a solar panel when it isn't needed. Of course you may want the panel for other reasons, but if not, it could be an expensive way to top up a failing battery.

 

[rob_jax]

Do a search on Solar Panels - there's a load of useful information.

Each day the caravan battery will loose about 0.5AH from internal self discharge.

For winter use, expect less than 50% efficiency from the panel, so aim for a 20 watt or bigger panel with a charge regulator. That panel should provide between 1 and 5 AH each day - more than enough to recharge the battery - and need the charge regulator to dump the excess.

Robert

 

[Rod_5041370]

I agree with rob-jax, however, do check for anything that may be draining the battery.

A common problem is forgetting to turn the heater fan off.

If you have an alarm or a "car type" radio with memory, these will drain the battery over time but should be left connected of course.

 

[emmitdb]

Hi Kevin,

Another 'little'drainer is the signal booster for the television.Most vans have it in the wardrobe and its easily missed.

Regards

 

[JeremyClarksson]

If you have a 12V switch this should turn off all domestics incl heater fan, radio and TV aerial amp.

As a battery shows its age it leaks more and more power over a period of time (through its own decreasing internal resistance).

If it is running almost flat and then being asked to run a motor mover it is probably knackered.

If you buy a new one and then take one home and charge it while the other is on the van you should not run into this problem.

I do this but I do not have a mover and I do a lot of rallies w/o hookup, so it makes definite sense for me.

 

[cris_408518]

If your battery is healthy and fully charged when you leave the van an inexpensive solar trickle charge panel from Maplins should keep the battery topped up and fit to use. We use them on cars that do we do not use all the time and know that the car will start every time and they are used on boats and other vans we know to keep the battery healthy.

If you need to charge the battery up , you then need a larger panel with regulator as Rob suggests.