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zsd-puma

Member Since: 09 Aug 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 2720

2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black

Solar Panel

Currently i've got an AA solar trickle charger connected when i'm not using the car it works a treat.

However i'm thinking of connecting it up permanently.

What i'm not sure of though is if it will get damaged by the car's alternator output if it's connected while the engine is running or if the starter would try to draw current from the panel and damage the panel when i start the car.

20th Jul 2017 8:26pm

VeeTee

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

I have a 60 W solar panel permanently fitted to to roofrack, it is connected to the dual battery via a solar regulator and a Cyrix VSR. I have this set up now for about four years, and no problems whatsoever - and I use my Defender as a daily driver, so lot of starts have passed since...

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)

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20th Jul 2017 8:47pm

LandRoverAnorak

Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11240

2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Orkney Grey

If I were going to leave a simple panel permanently connected, I do it via a changeover relay so that it was only electrically connected when the relay isn't energised. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia

20th Jul 2017 9:45pm

zsd-puma

Member Since: 09 Aug 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 2720

That makes sense. Do you think it would damage the panel without a voltage sensing relay?

20th Jul 2017 10:33pm

LandRoverAnorak

Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11240

I think you'd be hard pressed to find a panel these days that doesn't have some sort of regulator built into it, which should provide ample protection. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia

20th Jul 2017 10:47pm

zsd-puma

Member Since: 09 Aug 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 2720

I think the panel was only £20 anyway. So it wouldn't be a great loss if it died after a few months.

21st Jul 2017 2:39am

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