Simple Solar Setup?

[kevtherev]

No it does not matter.
I doubt very much you'll need any help from the engine or the zig any more...

I have disconnected my split charge and junked all the hook up stuff, that's how impressive it is

Sorry to hijack thread but how many leisure batteries do you run kev and what size? interesting to know that you have ditched the split charge.

Lefty.
I use one 110 leisure.
Everything in the van runs on 12 volt.
Phone, lap top, water heater and hair straighteners.
No LED lighting.
Battery fully charged at the end of every day
No campsites

Freedom.

[lefty67]

Cheers kev I already have a 110ah and was going to add another but I now think it isn't necessary and is just going to be extra expense and weight. I remember from your France trip that you went 'off grid' and coped well just couldn't remember how many batteries you had.

[CovKid]

No such thing as a simple solar setup, or indeed a short conversation about them

[ghost123uk]

No such thing as a simple solar setup, or indeed a short conversation about them

Rubbish (Well, correct about the "no short conversation about them" )

For years I have used a 60W rigid panel with a fag lighter plug on the end of the wire. No controller and the panel is not mounted. When I go camping I just lean it against summat, so it is pointing directly at the sun. I then plug the fag lighter plug into the rear fag lighter socket (I fitted, to run "stuff" off) and away we go. Simples.

I did used to be constantly checking the battery voltage with either a multi meter, or for a while with an LCD panel meter, to check how well it was charging, and to check it wasn't going over ~14.5 Volts. It rarely (if ever) goes too high, but it puts enough back for the next nights use of the sound system, laptop (sometimes) and lights etc,

Not saying this is as good as Martin's and others 100W flexi setups, with controllers etc, obviously it's not, but despite me being ok with electronics and also being a bit of a gadget man, I have left this simple as it has served me well enough for years at very little cost (~£60). One plus point is I can "point" the panel directly at the sun, whereas with fixed panels you cannot do that. E D I T = Oh, I do have a Low Voltage Disconnect of course, I consider that is essential.

[CovKid]

Amen to low voltage protection. Presently sorting out someone elses camper with a voltage reading of barely 8v on the leisure. Needless to say its had it.

[keytouch]

Amen to low voltage protection. Presently sorting out someone elses camper with a voltage reading of barely 8v on the leisure. Needless to say its had it.

Best voltage to disconnect at?
Mine's currently at 12V

[ghost123uk]

Amen to low voltage protection. Presently sorting out someone elses camper with a voltage reading of barely 8v on the leisure. Needless to say its had it.

Best voltage to disconnect at?
Mine's currently at 12V

I have mine set to 11.8 Volts, but 12 Volts is erring on the side of safety.

Here is a typical table :-

12.66 V 100%
12.35 V 75%
12.10 V 50%
11.95 V 25%
11.70 V 0%