Hiya everybody, my wife and I have just bought a folding suitcase type 100w solar panel which comes with crocodile clips to connect to the battery. On my leisure battery there is no room to connect the crocodile clips to the battery terminals. Here is a photo, similar to mine. The photo behind the link show a quick release clamp for the battery terminal with a smaller clamp for the wire that goes into the caravan.
Is it a good idea to cut off the crocodile clips from the solar panel and hard wire them into the same clamp as the wire that goes into the van? About 18 inches away from both crocodile clips there is a grey plug Like this one that I can disconnect and leave inside the battery compartment and only connect to the other end of the grey plug when I want to connect the solar panel. Will there be a problem leaving this permanently connected even if I am using EHU. I'm thinking it shouldn't matter, but my wife says to ask the question just to be sure.
Any help and advice will be much appreciated.
We are off to a rally at Easter and want to be ready to turn the Easter sunshine that we expect into battery power.
So, if I've read this right, you plan to hard-wire a short cable parallel with existing battery wiring and connect as and when required to panel. If that's the case, there's no problem with that at all. The connector won't effect EHU use.
Can I ask if you have a separate charge controller, or is there one affixed to your suit-case panel?
We have done exactly what you are suggesting. We bought a 120w folding solar panel but there was no way that crocodile clips would fit onto our battery terminals, so I asked the supplier to provide two fly leads for the panel. These are permanently attached one to each terminal of the battery and have a 'quick release' of sorts connector at one end that links into their their respective partner from the charge control unit that is attached to the panel via 2m or so of cable. The controller sits in the battery box when in use (so cannot be 'borrowed') and the panel can be up and running in around 1 minute from arriving on site. When we pack away, the controller is packed with the panel in its case and the fly leads (once disconnected from the controller) sit atop the battery in the battery compartment.
A neat, easy way to attach a panel. Just make sure that you have an in-line fuse on the positive fly lead. Can't remember the reasons why now, but we either had an in-line fuse on the crocodile connector (which we do not use) or we needed one between the controller and the battery for some reason, but it cost an additional £2 or so to have one incorporated into the fly lead when they were manufactured for us. Been very happy with the outcome so far.
What I have done is to attach a 12v socket via a fuse directly onto the battery leads and then attach a 12v plug to the solar panel control unit. Obviously you need to ensure you keep the correct polarity.
The socket is just out of sight behind a seat backrest but it is a simple job just to plug the panel in when needed.
If needed you can also use the socket when the solar panel is not connected.
Whether or not it complies with whatever 'regulations' there are, I don't know but it works.
Quote: Originally posted by G7ACU on 06/4/2014
So, if I've read this right, you plan to hard-wire a short cable parallel with existing battery wiring and connect as and when required to panel. If that's the case, there's no problem with that at all. The connector won't effect EHU use.
Can I ask if you have a separate charge controller, or is there one affixed to your suit-case panel?
Yes that's right and yes we have a charge controller built into the panel.
Many thanks for the reply.
Quote: Originally posted by Defender on 07/4/2014
We have done exactly what you are suggesting. We bought a 120w folding solar panel but there was no way that crocodile clips would fit onto our battery terminals, so I asked the supplier to provide two fly leads for the panel. These are permanently attached one to each terminal of the battery and have a 'quick release' of sorts connector at one end that links into their their respective partner from the charge control unit that is attached to the panel via 2m or so of cable. The controller sits in the battery box when in use (so cannot be 'borrowed') and the panel can be up and running in around 1 minute from arriving on site. When we pack away, the controller is packed with the panel in its case and the fly leads (once disconnected from the controller) sit atop the battery in the battery compartment.
A neat, easy way to attach a panel. Just make sure that you have an in-line fuse on the positive fly lead. Can't remember the reasons why now, but we either had an in-line fuse on the crocodile connector (which we do not use) or we needed one between the controller and the battery for some reason, but it cost an additional £2 or so to have one incorporated into the fly lead when they were manufactured for us. Been very happy with the outcome so far.
Thanks Defender, we have fuses and controller just the croc clips have nowhere to go.
Thanks for the reply
What I have done is to attach a 12v socket via a fuse directly onto the battery leads and then attach a 12v plug to the solar panel control unit. Obviously you need to ensure you keep the correct polarity.
The socket is just out of sight behind a seat backrest but it is a simple job just to plug the panel in when needed.
If needed you can also use the socket when the solar panel is not connected.
Whether or not it complies with whatever 'regulations' there are, I don't know but it works.
DaveS1
DaveS1, I know what you mean about regulations. If it works and you are sensible about how you did it, then I'd be happy.
Update, I've cut off the ends and fastened the raw ends into the same clamp as the ones already connecting the battery to the caravan and now just click and connect with the inline connecter that was just 18" below the old crocodile clips.
It works brilliantly and is really easy.
If only the sun would keep still, life would be a lot easier.
Not sure if anyone else has noticed but the darned thing tracks from East to West and keeps using shadows to make me get up and repositione the panel. (joke)
Thanks everyone.
Quote: Originally posted by Grolsch on 27/4/2014
Not sure if anyone else has noticed but the darned thing tracks from East to West and keeps using shadows to make me get up and repositione the panel. (joke)
Given time you will learn to in summer, prop it up at 15 degrees to horizontal, on bearing due South, and go out doing something more rewarding! Part of rationale in buying that half decently sized 100Watt panel that you don't therefore need to chase every ray at the expense of the holiday.
Thanks JTQU. After a few weekends of using my solar panel I have it sussed and I usually have a full battery now and don't worry about draining it, because it will always get topped up, even on cloudy days.
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Topic: solar panel - battery connection
