gstuart · Aug 9, 2017

hi

hope u don't mind me posting it here, thought then it won't take up another post me asking questions and handy info for others

think next year will do a split charge system

been looking at this one

https://shop.theaa.com/store/view-a...m=affiliates&dclid=CNfhnpeOyNUCFWOmUQodfpkFoA

been doing some further reading , as all of my cig lighters are ign based i will have to convert the boot one , so that it's constant live to accept the solar charger, just got to work out the best way

i.e., run a wire directly to the battery from the boot cig lighter, ensuring its fused, but see it can't be left connected , maybe installing a switch on the dashboard , or maybe inside the glove box so it's out of the way

found out my system should take anymore than 22ma and will sleep after 20 x mins

still got my battery on a slow charge , prefer that to a fast charge

will do anothe residual test to ensure the system is turning off as it should, seeing these D3 are certainally power hungry

cfwnotloB · Aug 9, 2017

gstuart said:
been doing some further reading , as all of my cig lighters are ign based i will have to convert the boot one , so that it's constant live to accept the solar charger, just got to work out the best way

i have one connected to the ODB connection as it has a permanent live

lynall · Aug 9, 2017

Looks like ti comes with an obd adaptor

gstuart · Aug 9, 2017

ah didn't release that ref the obd connector

would it be better to get one where i can wire it directly to the battery, or is it ok to leave it connected to the obd port all the time

wish to have the set up so i don't have to keep plugging and unplugging it, can easily go from the battery , into an isolating switch then onto the solar unit

got to find a good place for the switch , so it doesn't stand out of looks like crap

thought of fitting it to my boot side window , so it's out of the way and can be left alone, tucking all the wires under the panels so it's neat and tidy

gstuart · Aug 9, 2017

may i ask ur options plse , do u think this would look ok where the small round switch has been installed next to the light switch

or in the second pic, to fit a switch in the blank panel behind the handbrake

many thks as always

cfwnotloB · Aug 9, 2017

think that looks as if its always been there - factory fitted

gstuart · Aug 9, 2017

cfwnotloB said:
think that looks as if its always been there - factory fitted

many thks for the feedback

also found this what someone else has done , the voltage display looks good, i.e. for a split charge system

wouldn't have the switches dots light up though , would distract me of a night

cfwnotloB · Aug 9, 2017

gstuart said:
many thks for the feedback

also found this what someone else has done , the voltage display looks good, i.e. for a split charge system

View attachment 129180

GMT on the left but what time is it in xyz on the right

- dual time display looks good - bit ponsy but looks good

what are you going to use to check the batteries tho

The Mad Hat Man · Aug 9, 2017

connected mine to perm live on tow bar electrics.

gstuart · Aug 9, 2017

cfwnotloB said:
GMT on the left but what time is it in xyz on the right - dual time display looks good - bit ponsy but looks good
what are you going to use to check the batteries tho

lol,

when i install a split charge system will either buy traxide or T-Max

have got a volt meter that's plugged into the cig lighter which gives me the cars voltage

gstuart · Aug 9, 2017

The Mad Hat Man said:
connected mine to perm live on tow bar electrics.

don't think mine has the permanent live , there is a tow bar socket fitted so don't know how easy it would be to fit one

there is a cig lighter socket in the boot which i can make permanent live by removing the relay and fitting a link

gstuart · Aug 9, 2017

from what i'm reading , it seems i can connect a solar panel up to 10 watts to the battery and leave it permanently connected even with the engine running

if i go above 10 x watts it supposed to have a regulator fitted ??

lynall · Aug 10, 2017

Just fit an ign triggered relay, so when relay sees ign live it opens the charge circuit so no danger to panel.

The Mad Hat Man · Aug 10, 2017

lynall said:
Just fit an ign triggered relay, so when relay sees ign live it opens the charge circuit so no danger to panel.

So it only charges when the ignition is on?
Just realised - to disconnect the panel

gstuart · Aug 10, 2017

lynall said:
Just fit an ign triggered relay, so when relay sees ign live it opens the charge circuit so no danger to panel.

hi mate

will that also stop the overcharge of the battery plse, as i'm not familiar with solar within a car am slowly starting to try and learn , lol

what max wattage solar would u get plse, 15 watts or do u think that's to high

reading through some web sites etc,

looked today and shame i cant get my old main battery in the aux battery tray , as i've replaced the cranking battery the old one would have been ideal as a temp measure , until such times i set up a leasure battery with split charge

me being sad i really enjoy doing things like this,

gstuart · Aug 10, 2017

The Mad Hat Man said:
So it only charges when the ignition is on?
Just realised - to disconnect the panel

getting confused , wouldn't i want it to charge when the engine is off

neilly · Aug 10, 2017

gstuart said:
i set up a leasure battery with split charge

Maybe a silly Question Gary, but why do you want a split charge system?

Cheers

gstuart · Aug 10, 2017

neilly said:
Maybe a silly Question Gary, but why do you want a split charge system?

Cheers

hi mate

not a silly question at all

split charge system so that when i start going away camping / off road events i wish to have the facility for a spare aux battery , to use for lighting , cooler etc without my cranking battery to go flat

however this is all new to me so thats why i prefer asking here and getting advice from more experianced members like ur good self , lynall etc

this was my thoughts for now

1) to fit a solar charger with protector to stop my cranking battery from going flat as i sometimes don't use the disco for 2-3 weeks at a time , permanently connected to the battery , panel fitted in the boot side window

2) to then fit the split charge system, buy a deep cell aux battery , wiring in the solar charge system to it

hope that makes sense

don't wish to keep having to disconnect the battery and bring the battery indoors to recharge , not only a nightmare to lift the battery out but also the agro , battery is 6 x months old, exide 110/ Ah - 850 CCa

Discos residual power drain is around 22 ma , sleeps after 20 x mins

that why i thought firstly fitting the solar panel, then later a split charge system to prevent this happening in the future

thks as always reading this with me rambling on

neilly · Aug 10, 2017

Hi Gary,

Then rather than fit something that may be redundant in a years time if you fit a cooler etc, If I was you I would look up what sort of cooler you want and what its amp requirements are. It may be a smaller solar panel may be great for keeping your car battery from dying as it is, but you may want one with a bit more oomph if you have extras fitted.

Cheers

The Mad Hat Man · Aug 10, 2017

gstuart said:
getting confused , wouldn't i want it to charge when the engine is off

yes.. but not when the engine is running

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