Forums

safariboy

Has anyone used one of these from Maplin.

I am looking for a solar panel that does not need to be fixed to the van.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=223250&C=Maplin&U=SearchTop&T=solar%20panelsa&doy=10m7

spykal · Moderator

hilldweller

That looks remarkable value compared to prices I saw at Lincoln - from memory nearer double this.

EDIT:

I know little of solar panels but there will be big differences in efficiency. Somewhere there must be a figure of XXX watts per sun - trouble is how do they define "sun".

In other words, this could generate 60W at the equator at noon or could it generate 60W in UK at noon ?????

thegreatpan

I have adapted my old Carasolar from my tugging days, these can be found at (

trevorf

Looks OK and should do the job but how do you stop it from "going walkies" when you leave the van Confused

Trevor

RichardnGill

Slightly off topic but are

hilldweller

spykal · Moderator

Hi

We had a lot of debate about these the last time they were on offer ... all I can say is that whilst it may may not actually "add" any useful charge to a depleted battery it does seem to work at maintaining a battery.

I have used one for about 18 months now to keep my ancient MF tractor battery fully charged and ready for the monthly use it gets mowing our field... I sits inside a poly bag to protect it from the weather, angled due south and up a bit Rolling Eyes

and it does manage to compensate for the natural discharge that the large 12 volt lead acid battery used to suffer from before using one.

So my answer is a "maybe" ... if the panel is sat in full sunlight. and the battery is in good nick to start with

Note that they do a bigger one too but it is £50.

carprus