NRDSRFR
VIP Member
OK, so it's already been established that you can't plug a Solar Panel directly into the external mains because it accepts 230v AC. However...?
I would like to add more power to my current solar setup, which is a Solar Camper Solutions panel wired through a Votronic MPPT controller, because last summer I felt like all our devices crushed the leisure battery and I can't always get great coverage on my panel to optimise its power as it sits under a roof box where we keep all our awning stuff.
One solution I supposed is just to wire another panel directly into the MPPT controller inputs, and I assume a second 100w panel would be fine and probably not exceed the 165w rating of the controller; I've never seen my current one above 50w on its own...
Because it was on sale, I just bought an Anker Powerhouse II 400ah portable battery hoping that it might provide a slightly more flexible option. The battery can be charged via its own solar panel, which got me thinking because it has a 230v output and supports up to 300w. I was thinking I could actually sit the battery in the van, run the camp power lead with UK Mains adaptor out the window and right into the mains plug and then attach a 100w panel into the battery and position it more optimally to try and "pass through" the power into the van as an auxiliary solar boost.
This would presumably net drain the spare battery unless being topped up by solar, but if the other panel was also working maybe it would keep a charge not drawing full power from it. The ancillary benefit being I could take this battery and its panel outside the van anywhere I need power around the site.
I think the drawback will be that it reduces the life of the portable battery, I need to check it's cycle rating.
Anyone think this will work in theory at least?
I would like to add more power to my current solar setup, which is a Solar Camper Solutions panel wired through a Votronic MPPT controller, because last summer I felt like all our devices crushed the leisure battery and I can't always get great coverage on my panel to optimise its power as it sits under a roof box where we keep all our awning stuff.
One solution I supposed is just to wire another panel directly into the MPPT controller inputs, and I assume a second 100w panel would be fine and probably not exceed the 165w rating of the controller; I've never seen my current one above 50w on its own...
Because it was on sale, I just bought an Anker Powerhouse II 400ah portable battery hoping that it might provide a slightly more flexible option. The battery can be charged via its own solar panel, which got me thinking because it has a 230v output and supports up to 300w. I was thinking I could actually sit the battery in the van, run the camp power lead with UK Mains adaptor out the window and right into the mains plug and then attach a 100w panel into the battery and position it more optimally to try and "pass through" the power into the van as an auxiliary solar boost.
This would presumably net drain the spare battery unless being topped up by solar, but if the other panel was also working maybe it would keep a charge not drawing full power from it. The ancillary benefit being I could take this battery and its panel outside the van anywhere I need power around the site.
I think the drawback will be that it reduces the life of the portable battery, I need to check it's cycle rating.
Anyone think this will work in theory at least?