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

(RIP) PLANK · 20-05-2011, 23:19

a few interesting items on here:

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

lacroupade · 21-05-2011, 10:50

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

kitchenman · 21-05-2011, 11:21

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

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

(RIP) PLANK · 21-05-2011, 12:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitchenman

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

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

it certainly does

Thomas-the-Terrano2 · 21-05-2011, 20:12

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 · 21-05-2011, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitchenman

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..

96terrano · 21-05-2011, 20:15

it will probably struggle. youll need a really sunny day

Paul · 21-05-2011, 20:15

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

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..

21-05-2011, 20:12	#12
Thomas-the-Terrano2 Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hackenthorpe Sheffield Vehicle: Terrano2 R20 lwb 2.7TDi Posts: 5,234	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. __________________ M6YTB / 20YTB '60' 2010 Ford C Max Zetec 1.6i, black '56' 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0TD, silver 2021 Bailey Pegasus Grade SE Turin caravan Smile, its more likely to confuse. One Life, Don't Just Live It, Drive a Nissan, or ...... a Jeep. Owner of Nissan 4x4s 2005 to 2019, and maybe in the future too!

21-05-2011, 20:15	#15
Paul Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: North West Vehicle: 2002 Terrano 3.0 Di LWB Posts: 1,961	THANX Everyone for all the info about this by the way.. __________________ 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

20-05-2011, 23:19	#8
(RIP) PLANK Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Central England, in the Heart of the Black Country Vehicle: T2 2004 TDI SE LWB Posts: 7,740	a few interesting items on here: http://www.maplin.co.uk/12v-4w-solar-briefcase-348061

21-05-2011, 10:50	#9
lacroupade Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: All hail to the Glove of Love... Posts: 9,212	Trickle charger and it look mucho cheap to me for such a lot of cells....

21-05-2011, 11:21	#10
kitchenman Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Essex Wescliff Vehicle: maverick 1994 2.7 TD Posts: 1,278	http://www.maplin.co.uk/13w-solar-briefcase-99760 This is a good deal, with regulater & loads of leads

21-05-2011, 20:15	#14
96terrano Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland Vehicle: Nissan Terrano 2.7TD LWB Posts: 8,024	it will probably struggle. youll need a really sunny day