Your thoughts on this..

Paul · 20-05-2011, 18:35

Just been looking at this for the van..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/N05HN-4W-Solar...05450022218377

Anyone used/know anything about them?

briggie · 20-05-2011, 18:47

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

makeitfit · 20-05-2011, 18:51

we've got one on the boat and I think that's 4w , works a treat

Any higher wattage and I think you need a regulator of some sort , I think, maybe

Any way it seems tidy

Paul · 20-05-2011, 19:02

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..

BIGSEAN · 20-05-2011, 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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..

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 · 20-05-2011, 21:21

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 · 20-05-2011, 21:39

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

20-05-2011, 18:35	#1
Paul Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: North West Vehicle: 2002 Terrano 3.0 Di LWB Posts: 1,961	Your thoughts on this.. Just been looking at this for the van.. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/N05HN-4W-Solar...05450022218377 Anyone used/know anything about them? __________________ 2002 Terrano 3.0 Di LWB..

20-05-2011, 19:02	#4
Paul Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: North West Vehicle: 2002 Terrano 3.0 Di LWB Posts: 1,961	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.. __________________ 2002 Terrano 3.0 Di LWB..

20-05-2011, 18:47	#2
briggie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: peoples democratic republic of west yorkshire Vehicle: " alice " Posts: 10,473	I THINK RICK ( SOLARMAN 216 ) IS YOUR BEST OPTION FOR ADVICE /COMMENTS

20-05-2011, 18:51	#3
makeitfit Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: on the beach WEST WALES Vehicle: Maverick TDi BLACK mmm Posts: 15,136	we've got one on the boat and I think that's 4w , works a treat Any higher wattage and I think you need a regulator of some sort , I think, maybe Any way it seems tidy

20-05-2011, 21:21	#6
kwondo Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: wales Vehicle: Ford Maverick 2.7tdi gls Posts: 307	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.

20-05-2011, 21:39	#7
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,428	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