Battery trickle charging

warrant1145
warrant1145 Forum Participant Posts: 7
edited July 2023 in Caravans #1

Hi, I would like to install a trickle charge battery system to my caravan. I'm not interested In fixing a solar panel to the roof. I'm looking for something that I can put in the front window of my van and connect to the battery in order to maintain the voltage. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Regards

Bill T

Comments

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2023 #2

    A CTek charger connected either directly to the battery or a connection point inside the caravan .... I used the terminals on the mover on my last caravan. Don't forget to turn off the caravan's built in charger 👍

  • warrant1145
    warrant1145 Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited July 2023 #3

    I should clarify. I'm looking for something that can be connected to my battery whilst my van is storage. No mains supply is available. I had a look at the CTek and I don't believe this meets my needs. Thanks for the suggestion

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,192 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited July 2023 #4

    We brought, probably still have somewhere, from Maplins - remember them? A solar panel that clipped onto our car battery  with crocodile clips and the panel 9 x 4 inches roughly sat in the windscreen of our car whilst we spent 6 months abroad over winter.

    It worked well. The battery was fine on our return. It was even positioned westerly, best we could do at the time.

    Don't know if such things are still available or would suit your needs. All water and power were turned off at the house to comply with the insurance requirements, so similar situation to storage.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2023 #5

    Ah! 👍

    Dan put a panel in the front window of his 'van which seemed to work OK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYp2UHMQyWY&t=546s  😉

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2023 #6

    +1, I have an Ecoflow generator with a flexible(mobile panel) that can be set up anywhere I set it up👍🏻

  • Simon100
    Simon100 Club Member Posts: 665 ✭✭✭
    500 Comments
    edited July 2023 #7

    I have a 100 watt solar panel which is about the same size as my front middle window. It sits on the front chest.

    I charge the leisure battery through a controller in the van and cables going to the battery box.

    The panel is not working at its full potential due to the angle of use in the van and the fact that the windows are tinted. Hence the relatively high power.

    The solar panel is taken  down, and put into the boot of the car, when I am on site. 

    If you Google 'Solar panel kit' I am sure that you will find something that suits your purpose.

    Have a look at

    https://www.sunshinesolar.co.uk/Category/CaravanMotorhomeBoatKits

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