Solar Chargers

Hi Lennythelion,

I do exactly as you mention in your posting and use the Maplin Solar panel to keep the battery topped up, (also supplies power for the Tracker too) The Maplin unit (I use 2 connected in parallel) keeps the battery nicely charged up and because they are low output there is no need to include a charge regulator. Maplin Part Number L58BF (half price at £9.99 until 2nd May 2012)... Remember to wire the unit/s via a fused connection directly to the leisure battery, as the 12 volt sockets in the caravan are only live when the Battery Master Switch is set to "ON" and in that configuration your battery will discharge fairly quickly.

Hope this helps you

Spanderro,

Many thanks for the response it was very helpful, especially regarding the inline fuse,  I had not thought about that.  So, I guess my next trip before 2nd May is to Maplins.

Thanks again

Hi  Lennythelion

I have a Pageant with motor mover and have just hard wired in a solar panel from Maplins. I went for the 13 watt one at £49.99 on special and £89.95 at Towsure!!!  That will give just about 1 amp trickle charge. The unit sits nicely in the centre front window when in use and folds in half for stowage. I hard wired in by drilling through the back of the battery box and pulled a 16 amp cable through into front bed box. In line fuse near positive battery terminal. Maplins have cable and fuse. Supplied regulator sits on PCU with velcrow and it really is plug in and play after parking up. Working well despite my window facing north west at storage. Hope to avoid winter removal of battery for boost but only time will tell.

Geoff

Hi  Lennythelion

I have a Pageant with motor mover and have just hard wired in a solar panel from Maplins. I went for the 13 watt one at £49.99 on special and £89.95 at Towsure!!!  That will give just about 1 amp trickle charge. The unit sits nicely in the centre front window when in use and folds in half for stowage. I hard wired in by drilling through the back of the battery box and pulled a 16 amp cable through into front bed box. In line fuse near positive battery terminal. Maplins have cable and fuse. Supplied regulator sits on PCU with velcrow and it really is plug in and play after parking up. Working well despite my window facing north west at storage. Hope to avoid winter removal of battery for boost but only time will tell.

Geoff

Hi  Lennythelion

I have a Pageant with motor mover and have just hard wired in a solar panel from Maplins. I went for the 13 watt one at £49.99 on special and £89.95 at Towsure!!!  That will give just about 1 amp trickle charge. The unit sits nicely in the centre front window when in use and folds in half for stowage. I hard wired in by drilling through the back of the battery box and pulled a 16 amp cable through into front bed box. In line fuse near positive battery terminal. Maplins have cable and fuse. Supplied regulator sits on PCU with velcrow and it really is plug in and play after parking up. Working well despite my window facing north west at storage. Hope to avoid winter removal of battery for boost but only time will tell.

Geoff

Hi  Lennythelion

I have a Pageant with motor mover and have just hard wired in a solar panel from Maplins. I went for the 13 watt one at £49.99 on special and £89.95 at Towsure!!!  That will give just about 1 amp trickle charge. The unit sits nicely in the centre front window when in use and folds in half for stowage. I hard wired in by drilling through the back of the battery box and pulled a 16 amp cable through into front bed box. In line fuse near positive battery terminal. Maplins have cable and fuse. Supplied regulator sits on PCU with velcrow and it really is plug in and play after parking up. Working well despite my window facing north west at storage. Hope to avoid winter removal of battery for boost but only time will tell.

Geoff

sorry about multiples that site again! should read 16mm cable also.

sorry about multiples that site again! should read 16mm cable also.

Did you mean 1.6mm cable?

No 16mm which is the smallest 12v Maplins do and overated but better that way than too thin. The set up I have is working very well with battery back up after motor mover park in a few days.Still think the battery will need a boost in winter.