Your thoughts on this..

[Paul]

Just been looking at this for the van..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/N05HN-4W-Solar-Briefcase-Car-Battery-Charger-Free-P-P-/260722026405?_trksid=p5197.m8&_trkparms=algo%3DMW%26itu%3DUCC%26otn%3D8%26po%3DL CA%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D65105450022218377

Anyone used/know anything about them? :thumb2

[briggie]

I THINK RICK ( SOLARMAN 216 ) IS YOUR BEST OPTION FOR ADVICE /COMMENTS :thumb2

[makeitfit]

we've got one on the boat and I think that's 4w , works a treat:thumbs
Any higher wattage and I think you need a regulator of some sort , I think, maybe :augie
Any way it seems tidy :thumbs

[Paul]

Thought that about over 4w, thinking now of just getting one for the Mav for winter, only a short drive to & from work with everything on the battery gets a battering.. :doh

[BIGSEAN]

Thought that about over 4w, thinking now of just getting one for the Mav for winter, only a short drive to & from work with everything on the battery gets a battering.. :doh
I would be surprised if an item with such a low output would make any difference for your purposes, especially during winter.
4w is probably the maximum in ideal conditions, we have an 80w to charge our batteries down on the allotment and it struggles to maintain a decent charge
(granted it gets no other charge) but even so such a law output would be of minimal benefit.
Last thing the output requirement for a regulater is much higher than 4w (somebody on here will be more savvy on this) but i think it`s round about the 80w mark.

[kwondo]

i have one very similar, for the caravan when not on electric, used the caravan for ....i think it was 9 days, on a fully charged 110 amp battey, using normal things while away, including a 12 volt tv, these solar panels are ideal for topping up the battery, but be aware they are not designed to fully charge a flat battery. i think mine was 18v open circuit with a charge rate of about 3/4 amp trickle charge.

[solarman216]

Depends entirely on the application, 4w is never going to overcharge a car sized battery, but if used to say charge an alarm battery of 1.2 Ah then yes a regulator would be required, also worth noting that if the sun cannot be seen they do absolutely nothing, THEY DO NOT WORK ON DAYLIGHT, a general rule of thumb is if you can see a distinct shadow, they start to work, daylight is nothing but hype, I have been installing PV and hot water systems for 20 plus years, another point re the briefcase mentioned, they are not weather proof, I tried one out for a test and it failed after 6 months, they will of course work behind a window but the day will be shortened due to shadowing , if anyone wants to know anything about solar just ask, regards Rick

[(RIP) PLANK]

a few interesting items on here:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/12v-4w-solar-briefcase-348061

[lacroupade]

Trickle charger and it look mucho cheap to me for such a lot of cells....

[kitchenman]

http://www.maplin.co.uk/13w-solar-briefcase-99760

This is a good deal, with regulater & loads of leads

[(RIP) PLANK]

http://www.maplin.co.uk/13w-solar-briefcase-99760

This is a good deal, with regulater & loads of leads

it certainly does :thumb2

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

well i'm close to buying an 80W for caravan, several members
of my rally club have them though say dont buy less than a 60W.

car should be able to recharge battery on journey, as alternator
puts out i gather around 75A. so even with lights on be ok.

[Paul]

http://www.maplin.co.uk/13w-solar-briefcase-99760

This is a good deal, with regulater & loads of leads
Was looking at that in Maplin's in Blackpool the other week, it's what as had me looking on ebay.. :rolleyes:

[96terrano]

it will probably struggle. youll need a really sunny day

[Paul]

THANX Everyone for all the info about this by the way.. :thumb2

[(RIP) PLANK]

bear in mind with all this, it all depends what you use it for! For example a gadget hungry modern touring caravan 80w plus (a generator would be better :doh)

But didn't this thread start with the idea of maintaining charge in a car battery?

and I think the Maplin one would do that, but it seems a lot of hassle, if the car battery and alternator are up to scratch it shouldn't really need it anyway, should it?

[96terrano]

all you need is:

:naughty1 alternator

:naughty1 hamster

:naughty1 hamster wheel

:naughty1 drive belt

bolt em all together anl it should work:doh

[Paul]

all you need is:

:naughty1 alternator

:naughty1 hamster

:naughty1 hamster wheel

:naughty1 drive belt

bolt em all together anl it should work:doh
Who's been watching the "A" Team then.. :naughty

[briggie]

why not connect a toy windmill to a alternator ? :augie:lol

[96terrano]

why not connect a toy windmill to a alternator ? :augie:lol

how about a hamster to 240V:naughty

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

might ned more than one hamster, in relays?

unless its hammond?