solar panel... good idea..????

[Big Up The Bongo]

hi all,
i've been thinking about the bits i need to do to the bongo, and has anyone put a solar panel on the roof to put a trickle charge into battery or to use bits in the van...???

[g8dhe]

Yup several threads about trying to use them try a search for Solar Panel this just about sums up the results. I think you will be disappointed unless you spend a LOT of money. The effort is better spent reducing consumption and extra batteries.

[bongomaan]

i have two "solar powered shed lights " two little panels on the roof,each light has 20 led"s in and lasts all night. one for the van and one for the awning,also i have pimped them by adding velcro to the back to fix in different locations....update just been given a 300 watt inverter and am off out to nail a 42" plasma in the roof....cheers...

[stilldesperate]

Any power for free is good, but you've two probs with solar panels

1. To charge the battery through the day just with current being used for a fridge, you'd need a very large (read expensive) solar panel.

2. It will, at best, only charge the battery to the batteries limit (in ampere/hours). At night, (with battery drain high due to using lights/fridges/tv's etc etc etc ), you'll get no help from the solar panel, and the battery will only last as long as it's capacity allows.

I've two 50watt units on the roof, they trickle a small amount in, keeping the battery in good condition, but won't, in a day, fully recharge a flat battery.

I'd suggest spending the money on a bigger leisure battery!

SD

[missfixit70]

I wonder if the free electrickery gained by the solar panels is enough to offset the reduction in mpg due to the drag ?

[David Edwards]

I bought one from maplins that just sits on the dash and trickle charges the battery..or so it claims, either thru crocodile clips or cig socket if live with power off. Keep forgetting to use it tho, lol but gonna try it on a 6volt motor cycle battery from my electric fence box and see if it charges it up.

[stilldesperate]

I wonder if the free electrickery gained by the solar panels is enough to offset the reduction in mpg due to the drag ?

Glad to see you're back, Kirsty, I missed your "shining wit"

SD

[SimonV]

Looked at some Solar panels and it was looking like a good idea before I realised that if I fitted the solar panels on the roof I could no longer fit the van in the car park at work due to the increase in height

At least I realised before I bought them

[missfixit70]

I wonder if the free electrickery gained by the solar panels is enough to offset the reduction in mpg due to the drag ?

Glad to see you're back, Kirsty, I missed your "shining wit"

SD

I think you put a few to many letters in there, remove "ningwi" & it's more applicable

[stilldesperate]

I wonder if the free electrickery gained by the solar panels is enough to offset the reduction in mpg due to the drag ?

I don't drive in womens clothes (anymore!)

SD

[stilldesperate]

Looked at some Solar panels and it was looking like a good idea before I realised that if I fitted the solar panels on the roof I could no longer fit the van in the car park at work due to the increase in height

At least I realised before I bought them

Did you try laying them flat on the roof

SD

[SimonV]

Looked at some Solar panels and it was looking like a good idea before I realised that if I fitted the solar panels on the roof I could no longer fit the van in the car park at work due to the increase in height

At least I realised before I bought them

Did you try laying them flat on the roof

SD

They were flat. Only got 5mm of clearance in the multi story at work so you have to be a bit careful. The bongo does go in however I keep a check on the tyre pressures just to be safe

[stilldesperate]

They were flat. Only got 5mm of clearance in the multi story at work so you have to be a bit careful. The bongo does go in however I keep a check on the tyre pressures just to be safe

You're a braver man than me, Simon!

[Manny]

I got a 48w solar panel reduced from Maplin a little while back. I place it under the sun roof and hold it in place by sliding the blind under it and then connect it to the cig socket. This keeps the leisure battery from going flat. Since I don't use the bongo very often and there is a small drain on the battery by the radio and battery low voltage cut-out it use to go flat, particularly when I go away for a couple of weeks. Since I started using the solar panel it has been ok. Of course I have to remove it when driving the bongo as it said on the instructions that it should not be left on when starting the engine.

Manny

[johnlee]

Hi
I have an 85w panel on the roof of my bongo & as i am in Newark Pop round and have a look.
I keeps my 2 marine batteries fully charged and runs the fridge.
give me a ring on 07964562376 and i will show ya

john