Solar Panel to charge Leisure battery

[nesty]

Does anyobdy on here use one. If so what wattage do you use?

My Leisure battery voltage gone down to 12.2V. I only charged it up the other day and it hardly had much use. Might be a drain though only the stereo on the fusebox at the moment and that should drain when it's off!

Anyway, I was thinking a solar panel charger might help keep the Leisure topped up? Do they put in much charge?

[munnyella]

Mine just puts in enough to stop the batteries `natural' drop. It doesn't seem to add anything above what is there, but keeps it where it is. hope this makea a bit of sense.

It was a tenner from Maplin.

Mark M

[Red Westie]

Despite the general concensus that these things are pretty useless in actually contributing to charge state, I would say they are very ueful in maintaining a low level of activity in the battery which prevents suphation....which is the basic killer of batteries on vehicles that are laid up and stored for weeks on end.
I use a slightly bigger 2.4watt panel (£17.99 something like that)
I've get two smaller ones (1.4watt I think?) for sale tenner for the two if you can collect.
Martin

[eatcustard]

I have this

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=223251" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

but only paid £12 for it

I get approx 20v out of it North facing.

It keeps the leisure battery topped up, job done

[Red Westie]

Yup.....same as mine.

Martin

[tonytech]

Might be a drain though only the stereo on the fusebox at the moment and that should drain when it's off!

Many modern stereos do take quite a current if they are wired to work with the ignition off.
Have a search on here, or use a ammeter to check.
T

[Oldiebut goodie]

I use a single 40W one wired to the starter battery - the intelligent relay then feeds to the 110Ah leisure battery.
On my big Merc I use two 40w ones direct to the pair of 110AH leisure batteries.(will add another panel when I come across one cheap) - As I always wild camp.
I never suffer flat batteries.
I would say that 40W was the minimum that you should use on a single leisure battery - it all depends upon the amount of roof space that you have.

[Red Westie]

Yup....depends wether you are buying them to keep your leisure charged whilst camping or just to keep them conditioned between camps.
Martin

[1664]

I use a single 40W one

how big is that then?? and how much?....... just curious like

[eatcustard]

I use a single 40W one

how big is that then?? and how much?....... just curious like

have a gander here

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?menuno=69691" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Oldiebut goodie]

No 40w ones there!

Apprx. 24" x 20". Can be had for around the £100/£110 mark

[1664]

Cheers for the link. The larger ones aren't exactly cheap - stick to me alternator for now

[Oldiebut goodie]

But think of it this way:- 4 weeks touring around stopping on campsites as you have no power @ £10 per night = £280.(if you pay £10 - I don't know the going prices as I never use them)
1 solar panel @ £120, no campsites = no contest
I tour round for 6-8 weeks so it is well worth it.

[1664]

To be honest I never use hook up when I'm touring. The alternator charges the battery every day and the heating (if needed) etc is gas. I only use hook up if it's included in the basic price (if I can be bothered to get the lead out) or I'm parked up for a week in winter like the Llangollen meet

I can still see how they'd be a handy thing to have though..........

[jamesc76]

I have this one on my roof:

which goes through this:


Got it from maplins (looked on there site cant see um now!) its 43w and keeps the leisure battery up charged great in summer, just about keeps up in winter. Brill bit of kit tho if you dont use the vehicle often!