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Topic: Solar Panel Battery Charger

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mre15

19/9/2010 at 11:20pm
Location: Gloucester
Outfit: None Entered

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Hi,

I have just changed my van and my new one has a mover.

My van lives in a storage yard when not in use, and I wish to be able to use the mover each time I collect it. Timing between collection could vary between a few weeks to over 3 months over the winter.

What specification of solar panel is recommended to keep my battery in a usable state, it will always be fully charged when place into storage.

Cheers.

JTQU

20/9/2010 at 7:36am
Location: Hampshire
Outfit: Hymer Nova S

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I would be lead by what is a "best buy" at the moment, but targeting about 13 to 15 Watts. This is oversized to what you could get away with in the summer but should cope with the winter with the low sun angles, short and weak light and the inevitable degradation from dust etc when left uncleaned for a month or so.
In your case leaving it for potentially long periods I would definitely wire it via a small regulator; some will argue this an overkill but given a long sunny spell even this size solar cell unregulated will overcharge your battery.
Make sure it can see the sun!

LegsDownKettleOn

20/9/2010 at 7:42am
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Maplin sell a 13 watt solar brief case which includes a regulator. Price varies from £60 to £100 depending on what offers they have on at the time.

Post last edited on 20/09/2010 17:24:40

LegsDownKettleOn

20/9/2010 at 7:48am
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A cheaper option would be to remove the battery and charge it up at home.

_tich_

20/9/2010 at 8:20am
Location: Near kettering Northamptonshire.
Outfit: 1978 Rapido Confort - Vauxhall Astra

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I just keep one of those solar trickle chargers connected to the battery over winter as that just keeps it topped up. Its never gone flat yet & you can buy them for around a tenner on eBay.

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