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ibexman

Member Since: 13 Dec 2008
Location: kent
Posts: 2872

Solar chargers do they work

I have to leave my defender laid up for a couple of months I'm thinking solar charger to top up battery , do you have one thoughts please cheers Chris

28th Dec 2016 1:42pm

lohr500

Member Since: 14 Sep 2014
Location: Skipton
Posts: 1283

2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Santorini Black

I have a 10W panel wired to a cigar lighter plug which I plug into a permanently live socket in the back of the 110.

It does seem to help hold the battery charge and avoids the chirping from the alarm that I used to get when starting the vehicle after a few weeks of being parked up.

I believe at 10w there is no need for an additional voltage regulator and no risk of over-charging.

There is also a diode in the panel connection block which I gather prevents reverse current flow when the panel is in the dark and not generating any power.

I'm no expert on solar panels so someone else be along with better info.

But for me the 10W panel seems to do the trick.

28th Dec 2016 1:50pm

VeeTee

Member Since: 06 Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1512

Yes they do work. I have one permanently fitted on the roofrack, it keeps the batteries (dual system) topped up, and even in winter with short day or clouds I notice the difference.

Click image to enlarge Cheers, Vincent
1959 Polynorm 1/4 Ton Trailer, Olive Drab Green (sold)
1970 M416 Military Trailer (Camping Trailer Conversion), Epsom Green (sold)
1975 Series III 88 V6, Light Green (sadly sold)
1996 Defender 110 CSW 300 Tdi, Epsom Green (sold)
2000 Freelander 1 TD4 3-drs, Silver (sold)
2006 Freelander 1 TD4 5-drs Facelift Automatic, Tonga Green (sold)

MySite

28th Dec 2016 5:22pm

roel

Member Since: 08 Aug 2009
Location: Lelystad
Posts: 2039

Vincent, how much power does that give? Around 300 Watt?

I have a 20 W panel for my D3 and it looks like it just keeps up with the usage off the D3 for longer periods. Roel

1984 90 2.5 na Diesel - RR V8 (1994-2001)
1997 Camel Trophy Discovery 300TDI (2001-2009)
2005 G4 Discovery III 4.4 V8 (2008-2018) It's gone but it still hurts.
2003 90 Td5 (2009-now)

28th Dec 2016 10:12pm

VeeTee

Member Since: 06 Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1512

Roel, it is 90 Watts. It keeps up with the fridge power usage when camping if we stay some days at the same place and don't use the alternator. Cheers, Vincent
1959 Polynorm 1/4 Ton Trailer, Olive Drab Green (sold)
1970 M416 Military Trailer (Camping Trailer Conversion), Epsom Green (sold)
1975 Series III 88 V6, Light Green (sadly sold)
1996 Defender 110 CSW 300 Tdi, Epsom Green (sold)
2000 Freelander 1 TD4 3-drs, Silver (sold)
2006 Freelander 1 TD4 5-drs Facelift Automatic, Tonga Green (sold)

MySite

28th Dec 2016 10:49pm

NinetyTD4

Member Since: 22 Apr 2011
Location: North
Posts: 397

Trickle charge with a solar panel and solar regulator(!) does a nice job in keeping batteries healthy. I do have a 40Wp panel, which serves on a sailing boat in summer and loosely on the roof of a Defender in winter. Never forget: cars have owner, Landrover have field service personnel.

7th Jan 2017 9:00pm

cobra_mark

Member Since: 17 Feb 2015
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 213

2000 Defender 90 300 Tdi SW Barolo Black

I use a 10w charger direct to the battery as my 90 is only used weekly, does a god job. The bigger panel in the garage has a regulator and keeps my 12v backup battery crisp plus gives me light in the garage, can't fault them.

7th Jan 2017 9:34pm

Super7

Member Since: 05 Feb 2014
Location: South Bucks.
Posts: 131

Possibly a stupid question:

Would anyone know if it is ok to leave one of these small panels permanently connected to the battery or do they need to be disconnnected each time before using the vehicle

'99 TD5 Defender 90
'52 Series 1 80"
'99 Caterham 7

8th Jan 2017 2:17pm

cobra_mark

Member Since: 17 Feb 2015
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 213

I remove mine weekly to use it at weekends, my brother in law has permanently fitted to his camper van with a regulator box and a fuse just pops it in a cubbyhole and drives off.

8th Jan 2017 2:28pm

VeeTee

Member Since: 06 Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1512

Super7 wrote:
Possibly a stupid question:

Would anyone know if it is ok to leave one of these small panels permanently connected to the battery or do they need to be disconnnected each time before using the vehicle

If you have a small panel you could fit a diode to prevent it discharging the battery at night. Larger panels are always fitted with regulator and can be connected permanently. Cheers, Vincent
1959 Polynorm 1/4 Ton Trailer, Olive Drab Green (sold)
1970 M416 Military Trailer (Camping Trailer Conversion), Epsom Green (sold)
1975 Series III 88 V6, Light Green (sadly sold)
1996 Defender 110 CSW 300 Tdi, Epsom Green (sold)
2000 Freelander 1 TD4 3-drs, Silver (sold)
2006 Freelander 1 TD4 5-drs Facelift Automatic, Tonga Green (sold)

MySite

8th Jan 2017 4:19pm

Super7

Member Since: 05 Feb 2014
Location: South Bucks.
Posts: 131

Thanks, looks like mine has a diode fitted

'99 TD5 Defender 90
'52 Series 1 80"
'99 Caterham 7

8th Jan 2017 8:15pm

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