Are three mini solar panels for gadget charging?
I'm going off EHU for two weeks in the summer. I have a large solar panel for the van but only one 12V socket. I wondered if it was possible to get a mini solar device which would charge laptops, phones etc. We have a variety of makes so would need different
adaptors. Please don't mention inverters and things like that as I am not technically minded and we needed help at a rally to set up our solar panel and that was only a few clips and a little box!! 
Comments
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would something like this help. Probably cheeper.
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That may be an option thank you. Would still prefer seperate mini solar (if there is such a thing), as, when they days are shorter at beginnning and end of year, I would rather not take power from the caravan battery and we wouldn't go far enough in the
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I think there are a number of solar devices to charge mobile phones. Laptops, not so sure. Many laptops are not 12 volt. Getting an adaptor that will step up the voltage might be dificult. I found one, and it caught fire first use. Sorry, but I must mention
this: In the end, I got a pure sine wave inverter to do the job. It is used to charge my drill battery, laptop, and anything else not requiring more than 90 watts or so. (circuit limitation). Inverters are not the most efficient devices on the planet, but
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tracy, a suggestion.....
change the plug on the end of your solar panel connector for a couple of crocodile clips (one for positive, one for the negative) and then you can connect the SP directly to your caravan battery....
this will leave you your caravan 12v socket to work as an output (its intended purpose) and then you can use one of the above suggested multi plugs to give you charging for your many devices.
for things like phones and ipads, we just have a plug which fits a 12v socket, and it has two USB slots which allow us to charge two devices at the same time....
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Thanks for the info folks. I've managed to get a couple of adaptors to charge the mobiles. After taking note of the laptop catching fire post, It appears that we will just have to visit local public houses to charge our laptop if necessary. Are well,
I shall just have to make this sacrifice
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Tracey I have a mounted bank of 4 x 12v sockets similar to the first suggestion on here. TV is always on 12v. I have an inverter for the laptop but the Pub is a great option! Now I use the iPad much more than laptop but not all 12v wires will charge that. However the inverter (about £60 from Maplins 2 years ago) also gives service to my hand held whisk to whizz soups and make mayo etc, plus my water flosser. Inverters are very useful things to have and if I remember correctly you have a pretty large panel. Merve has posted all the things he uses on a large inverter. I stared with a real cheap one which was useful but didn't last long. My panel is now attached to the battery with a wired "tail" and socket so arrival n site I just connect at battery box. Simple. I also have the small solar gadget from Lidls it comes with masses of different connectors including iPhone.
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Couldn't agree more with Pippa Tracey. I have just returned from glorious Wales after 2 weeks and a non EHU site. With the right kit installed you can live without EHU very well. We carry the obvious microwave, then a toaster, a blender and a 240v powerful
hand held vacuum. All work through the inverter. I threw my orange cable to one side 3 years ago and haven't touched it since. I have now recouped all the initial cost of the system. Happy bunny! I can't use a slow cooker or an electric blanket so instead
I use a Mr Ds Thermal cooker (haybox technology that saves me 80%power) and a hot water bottle if I ever need one but then with the price of gas from a Safefill cylinder, the van is always warm on the cooler evenings- There is always more than one way to skin
a cat!! I am as comfortable as I ever was with my orange cable at a fraction of the cost! Really worth looking into!!0
