My battery is knackered after running it flat a few times over the last year, and is in need of replacing, but it got me thinking.....what would it cost me to have installed/do it myself, a small leisure battery, split charge from a small (100w) flexible solar panel and the engine. A change in circumstance at work, now leads me to be charging more things from the van battery and I want to avoid jump starting the van again late at night when everyone wants to go home ( though I can do it with the speed of a F1 team!).
How much? Solar panel and leisure battery install.
- Thread starter Scruffy
- Start date
Probably a dc-dc charger you need rather than a split charger but ask Martyn @travelvolts and he will advise and also supply anything you need for the job
You need a DC-DC charger with a solar mppt charger built in.
The CTEK is popular as are otheres:
www.t6forum.com
more info here:
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The CTEK is popular as are otheres:
[Guide] DC-DC Charger (for leisure battery) -- How I Done It --
DC-DC Charger (for Leisure battery) -- How I Done It -- ************************************************** Dellmassive`s -- "how I Done It" -- Thread ************************************************** Kit List And Stuff -- How I Done It & What I Use --...
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Check out Dellmassive threads on the subject. Travelvolts have the Ctek and cable pack you require on his site. Battery add about £120. Panels vary a lot in price but cheaper Chinese ones are around £1 per watt.
You really need to consider what your powering to work out what you need. If you go EHU on your camping trips then you dont need a big expensive system. I dont use EHU sites so went bigger on solar panels.
You really need to consider what your powering to work out what you need. If you go EHU on your camping trips then you dont need a big expensive system. I dont use EHU sites so went bigger on solar panels.
Spend the money on the Ctek or similar charging system, dont skimp on this or you will end up buying twice. You can buy one battery and always add another later, same with Solar get 100w and add 100w later. I'm not saying the Ctek is best but prob one of the best value good systems with its built in controller although it does have some disadvantages over more expensive set ups.
Battery look for AGM type. You can go cheaper but the bit extra is worth it.
Battery look for AGM type. You can go cheaper but the bit extra is worth it.
Hello again. Just how big a battery (capacity) do I need? I'm running a small 12v cool box and various usb battery chargers. I'm also thinking do I need the split charge? Could I get away with the leisure battery just receiving charge from say a 100w solar panel, or am I in danger of running the battery dead on a series of dull days?
Hi ..... Very roughly 100w panel makes 5/6 amps per hour on the sunniest day of the year and 12v coolbox uses 3.5 amps per hour ...we don’t get more than 8 hrs good solars hours a day in summer...so you would take out more than you can put in ( as the fridge requires power 24/7 ). TravelVolts give excellent help on the best setup...give them a ring...but first work out what your future requirements are so you can get it right first time
Thanks all. The cool box is an Halfords’s special and only plugged in on work days for 8 hrs max, as are the various chargers, but they have been enough for me needing a jump a couple of times recently. So split charge plus a 100w flexible panel is the way forward.
I just fitted leisure battery, ctek, cable kit and battery clamp bracket from travelvolts. Cost was circa £350. Easy install, instructions provided. Took me longer to remove seats etc.
I plan on installing a 180-200W portable pv panel at a later date. With temp anderson connector so i can store it when not required.
I plan on installing a 180-200W portable pv panel at a later date. With temp anderson connector so i can store it when not required.
There are others on her more qualified than me but I don't know anybody who's ever regretted putting in a bigger solar panel - for the extra cost, it just doesn't seem worth stopping at 100W.
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