I might do that then as another option. As it is, it’s great when the sun is on that side, but later in the day it’d be nice to unplug the panel and connect to the lighter socket on the bench seat. I thought I’d make one because I’ve got a big box in the garage full of tangled cables of every possible obsolete type!
If you do make one, I advise 10amp fuse inline.Good luck
Cheers, we got nowhere near that today (4.5A max from what I saw) so could even go lower than 10A. If the van’s fuse for the socket is 10A too, I’d rather be blowing the fuse in the plug than have to remember where the main fuse is!
Indeed, you shouldn't get to 10amp with that panel, but in the case of some weird surge, solar storm, or the sun going supernova, no fuse blows the van fuse, and I think the next size down is 5anp which you will probably exceed at some point, so if you do that have spares... Maybe you could get an 8.5amp or something, not sure. The cable on amazon comes with 10amp fitted but you could switch it out easy enough. My panel in theory will go to about 9.5amp.i think from memory I got 8.5amp at 90 degrees to full sun.
It will charge across both batteries, so either it needs longer to get to the three quarter charged point or something rise is wrong. Does the van display show positive amps (charging) or negative amps (draining)?
Check the 75amp cube fuse, I think the T6.1 still has that, on the rear Leisure Battery. They are fragile and if that has gone then you only have 1 Leisure battery in circuit.
Thanks! Ultimately I guess fixed panels are the best solution, but I was thinking this might be quite good for our Beach leisure battery as we don’t normally consume too much power.
I don’t have either this or fixed on the van but what I can tell you is that when I had the same type of dilema for solar on my boat I went for a portable kit…………. and therein lies the problem…..every time I want to use it I have to open it up and plug it all in…..what a PITA! I wish I had fitted a permanent solar installation (fire and forget!)
Difference is v150-200 quid vs 900. Stick with the Dokio for occasional use. If you take the cables out of the pocket then it is basically flat, taking up no space. Good luck.Thanks! Ultimately I guess fixed panels are the best solution, but I was thinking this might be quite good for our Beach leisure battery as we don’t normally consume too much power.
I will check out your video
Definitely. Once i watched @markheathcote a couple of times i was off and running. Very simple to set up.
+1. Fixed are not necessarily the best solution for everyone. Admittedly in my case the van lives underground so the advantage of the batteries staying topped up on the driveway doesn't apply. 80% of the trips we do are fine on battery only (moving between sites every couple of days or at least driving to town for supplies). If on site for a week or so, then I'll bust out the Dokio - with the advantage I can move it around to be perpendicular to the sun all day, using a combination of Mark's lighter socket hack, and a flying lead attached to the under seat battery.
Yes, this will probably be more for occasional use. We can just about manage with the single Beach battery, which powers our small fridge for about 2 days.
I think it boils down to how far north you tend to go. Personally, I went for 100W thinking it'd be enough for where we live/travel, but haven't really tested it in a murky, cloudy week. Definitely fits under the shelf mattress. I've had it on the windscreen, on top of the awning, leaned up against the van using either the boot or rear seat sockets, or clipped onto the battery (eventually I'll wire a connector onto that, to avoid having to slide the seat forward)
Hi orbital, I was just wondering how you are finding the ridge monkey solar panel? I’ve just been looking at th 120w one, how did you connect it to your victron charge controller
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