Quack Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Having never yet been on a CC Centre Rally I thought I might give it a go this year. Must admit I am a bit worried about not having EHU and wondered if solar panels to charge the battery are any good. If they are - what size and type are best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colonel Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 (edited) I rallied for over 28 years before I bought a solar panel and, even then, it was only because of increased TV usage so you don't have to buy one to go away without EHU. If you do buy then you will need a minimum of 40w but, more useful, if you opt for 55w. Buying a new portable set up will probably mean 55w anyway. Most people around here use Detroit Solar units. I use a built on 85w panel and just don't have any worries about a flat batery no matter how long I am off the mains electrics although having LED lights helps. Edited March 3, 2009 by colonel Quote A Fiat Doblo camper and a Lunar Ariva 2019 grace my drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbilly Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 (edited) I have got a 55W solar panel from Detroit Solar and it's a first class unit. We rallied for years without a solar panel and in the Summer we only bother to take it if we are away for more than 4 days. Bill Edited March 3, 2009 by bigbilly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee.B Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 I was going to buy one, but sticking to my spare 110 amp battery, cheaper. Been away for 5 days and have not had to use it, thats with the TV and DVD player on (12 volt). Still had enough power left to use the mover when we got home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbilly Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 --> QUOTE(Lee. B @ Mar 3 2009, 10:17 PM) 235629[/snapback] I was going to buy one, but sticking to my spare 110 amp battery, cheaper. Been away for 5 days and have not had to use it, thats with the TV and DVD player on (12 volt). Still had enough power left to use the mover when we got home. Quite agree. For many years I carried a spare 110 amh battery in a proper plastic battery box and wired it to a 12S socket. When needed it could be plugged into the van and the caravan switch changed from 'caravan' to 'car'. As you say a much cheaper option. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbilly Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 I rallied for over 28 years before I bought a solar panel and, even then, it was only because of increased TV usage so you don't have to buy one to go away without EHU. If you do buy then you will need a minimum of 40w but, more useful, if you opt for 55w. Buying a new portable set up will probably mean 55w anyway. Most people around here use Detroit Solar units. I use a built on 85w panel and just don't have any worries about a flat batery no matter how long I am off the mains electrics although having LED lights helps. I assume that your 85W panel is fixed on the roof ? I know this is a very popular modification done by Detroit Solar and we thought long and hard about it. Was nervous however of nullifying the water ingress warranty. I assume that they work first class and also assume that you can turn them off when you 'service' the battery. Is there any problem if you go on EHU ? Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colonel Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 I assume that your 85W panel is fixed on the roof ? I know this is a very popular modification done by Detroit Solar and we thought long and hard about it. Was nervous however of nullifying the water ingress warranty. I assume that they work first class and also assume that you can turn them off when you 'service' the battery. Is there any problem if you go on EHU ? Bill Yes it is on the roof, just behind the Heki light. No problem at all on on EHU - the solar charger just goes onto "float" because the battery is at voltage. When servicing the battery you just remove the fuse at the battery connection and the fuse at the solar control unit. There is no likelyhood of any water ingress from the installation of these units, in fact the proprietor of Detroit Solar was a bit "iffy" when I asked, quoting x amount of years fitting them without any leak claims at all. Quote A Fiat Doblo camper and a Lunar Ariva 2019 grace my drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thelonegroover Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 We've been without EHU for a week, no problem. I take a spare battery, just in case! I think its been said. ..£500 (solar panel) v £50 (battery) why spend 10 times more than what you need to? Quote Swift Challenger 490 Sorento + Fabia to help the Sorento up hills! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_B Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 We've been without EHU for a week, no problem. I take a spare battery, just in case! I think its been said. ..£500 (solar panel) v £50 (battery) why spend 10 times more than what you need to? how much! About 5 years ago I upgraded my solar setup, cutting out the need to drive around charging my spare battery. I bought a 50 watt panel at £200 & a regulator for about £35 & we've had some priceless holidays I can stay with out hookup indefinitely the panel has a 20 year output guarantee too Quote Paul B . .......Mondeo Estate & Elddis Avanté 505 (Tobago) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brassneck Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 how much! About 5 years ago I upgraded my solar setup, cutting out the need to drive around charging my spare battery. I bought a 50 watt panel at £200 & a regulator for about £35 & we've had some priceless holidays I can stay with out hookup indefinitely the panel has a 20 year output guarantee too I DO stay with out hook up indefinately too, all year round. And all i use s a £20 power pack, a £10 75 watt inverter and plug my charger into them. Quote In Consilio Sapienta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marjohn Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 I DO stay with out hook up indefinately too, all year round. And all i use s a £20 power pack, a £10 75 watt inverter and plug my charger into them. <_< Hi Brassneck, Please can you tell me what these are and how they work. Thanks. Marjohn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brassneck Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 <_< Hi Brassneck, Please can you tell me what these are and how they work. Thanks. Marjohn Yup, no problem. I have one of these: CLICK THIS And i plug this >>> CLICK THIS <<<< and then plug my van into the inverter. The power pack gives a good 4-5 hours continuous charge via the battery charger and then can be recharged via the ciggy socket in the car or if i have access to a mains plug via that for a couple of hours. I can charge the battery 5 hours at a time overnight if needed. Works, cheap, can be done at anytime of day or night. Just need to make a lead up or as ive done, i use a seperate battery charger anyway. Quote In Consilio Sapienta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brassneck Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 Just to add, ive done the solar panels. .........generators. ...............and they all have drawbacks. So does my current method. But its cost me less than 30 quid, charges up far better than either a solar panel or a genny, and it can be done time after time after time without costing a penny. My charger puts in 3. 4 amps, so i can do this for a good 5 hours at a time every night if needed. Quote In Consilio Sapienta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Just to add my bit! I put a 85watt panel on the roof of my van a couple of years ago. Before that I also used the battery pack method, spare battery in the back of the car, free standing panel, in fact most things apart from a gennie. For me this works, nothing to worry about, no wires or batterries to move arround etc. Plenty of power for rallies etc. Only downside, not the cheapest option. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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