Solar starter battery maintainer install - thoughts?

[dErZ]

So my van sits on the driveway for weeks at a time without moving, so was thinking about getting a panel to sit on the dash to keep the starter charged up.. after reading lots of positive/negative claims about sub 20Watt panels I took a a look at Renogy to see what they had.. (after @Dellmassive uses them all the time )

Thoughts on the below please.

Would 30w be sufficent or does it need to be 50w?

With regards the mppt/pwm. Would renogys offering of the wanderer surfice or do i plump up for a Victron 70/10 mppt?

Or would I be able to just put a 12v male automotive connector on (would the panel stop charing at a certain voltage?)

 

[Pete C]

Bear in mind that the windscreen tinting massively reduces the power output, so minimum of 50W I would say.
Definitely use a controller - you don't need to spend much.

Pete

 

[oldiebut goodie]

I tried to use 40w on the dash of my T-Cross whilst lockdown was on - not good enough. I then used a 100w panel that just fitted across the dash which gave enough juice to keep all the electrics ticking over whilst being used. The screen does cut down the output considerably so I don't know that the 50W would do the job even. ( I used a cheap £40 100W panel from an offer that I spotted on Amazon)

 

[Dellmassive]

id say 50w as a min. . .

you have some nice bits above. . .

PWM is functional . . . but MPPT will give you more yield. . .

The Victron is the best-of-the-best - but also offers fantastic monitoring, so you can see / meter what you are getting.


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i use a 50w dash panel starter trickle charging . . . . .

see here:

[Guide] Mobile Solar Panels ? . . . - How I Did It -

Mobile Solar Panels ? . . . - How I Did It - There is loads of background to this . . . . . but for now here is a vid for you all. =] Just remember W = V*A and as a general rule a good 100W panel will give you up to 6A charge with good sun. 25w = 1.5A 50W = 3A 100w = 6A 200w = 12A 300w = 18A...

www.t6forum.com

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but on mobile i use 200-400w . . .


just be mindfull that the 12v socket should be 8A MAX - above that it will get hot and melt.

kwik maffs is - W=V*A. so 12v*8A = 96W

that means 100W max via that port.


eg:

here is my 100W on the dash:

[Guide] Mobile Solar Panels ? . . . - How I Did It -

Ty dellmassive for your time n effort. I have gone and popped down and measured and it will just fit with a bit of overhang by the steering wheel. the intention for now is to pop it on the dash lock up walk away. but if I am there at the direction is right I intend to attach to the pop top...

www.t6forum.com

..

+++++++++++


more shiz-niz here:

My Panels:

• [Guide] Solar Cables? . . . - How I Did It -
• 50w 12v socket Dash Fold panel
• 50W Bluefusion Fold panel
• 200W Lensun Fold panel
• 110w Lensun Flex panel + Mag tape
• 100w Renogy Eclipse fold panel
• 160w PhotUnis Flex rear gland panel
• 100w Renogy suitcase
• 120w Bluefusion fold panel
• 200w Lensun flex panel
• 200w Renogy suitcase panel
• 100w Renogy suitcase 2021 vsn
• 150w PU flex rear gland panel
• 160w Renogy flex rear gland panel
• 200w Renogy suitcase Kit - V2
• 150W Lensun Black Flex Panel

.

 

[dErZ]

Got the panel and bits today

What charging profile do you guys recommend ? AGM spiral ? Also I'm buggered if I can find what charging voltages I should use for the Varta battery that's installed.(7po 915 105 75Ah 420 A Din 800

 

[Dellmassive]

thats an AGM SLA battery. . .

so that "AGM Spiral cell" will be OK. . .


eg:

BULK - 14.8v
Absorb - 14.8/7v
Float - 13.8v



+++++++++++

How to charge a battery? VARTA® explains here how to safely and correctly charge a battery

Instructions on charging a battery safely: How to charge a car battery?

www.varta-automotive.com

 

[Kentish]

id say 50w as a min. . .

you have some nice bits above. . .

PWM is functional . . . but MPPT will give you more yield. . .

The Victron is the best-of-the-best - but also offers fantastic monitoring, so you can see / meter what you are getting.


++++


i use a 50w dash panel starter trickle charging . . . . .

see here:

[Guide] Mobile Solar Panels ? . . . - How I Did It -

Mobile Solar Panels ? . . . - How I Did It - There is loads of background to this . . . . . but for now here is a vid for you all. =] Just remember W = V*A and as a general rule a good 100W panel will give you up to 6A charge with good sun. 25w = 1.5A 50W = 3A 100w = 6A 200w = 12A 300w = 18A...

www.t6forum.com

View attachment 172522

+++++



but on mobile i use 200-400w . . .


just be mindfull that the 12v socket should be 8A MAX - above that it will get hot and melt.

kwik maffs is - W=V*A. so 12v*8A = 96W

that means 100W max via that port.


eg:

here is my 100W on the dash:

[Guide] Mobile Solar Panels ? . . . - How I Did It -

Ty dellmassive for your time n effort. I have gone and popped down and measured and it will just fit with a bit of overhang by the steering wheel. the intention for now is to pop it on the dash lock up walk away. but if I am there at the direction is right I intend to attach to the pop top...

www.t6forum.com

View attachment 172525



..

+++++++++++


more shiz-niz here:

My Panels:

• [Guide] Solar Cables? . . . - How I Did It -
• 50w 12v socket Dash Fold panel
• 50W Bluefusion Fold panel
• 200W Lensun Fold panel
• 110w Lensun Flex panel + Mag tape
• 100w Renogy Eclipse fold panel
• 160w PhotUnis Flex rear gland panel
• 100w Renogy suitcase
• 120w Bluefusion fold panel
• 200w Lensun flex panel
• 200w Renogy suitcase panel
• 100w Renogy suitcase 2021 vsn
• 150w PU flex rear gland panel
• 160w Renogy flex rear gland panel
• 200w Renogy suitcase Kit - V2
• 150W Lensun Black Flex Panel

.

You can charge the starter battery directly through the cigerette port?

 

[Grim Reaper]

So long as the charge current doesn't exceed the fuse rating of the socket, yes, it stays connected when the van is switched off and keys removed. Don't leave a 12V/USB adapter in it or it will flatten your starter battery in about 2 weeks or less.

 

[Dellmassive]

You can charge the starter battery directly through the cigerette port?

yes. . .

but keep the current below 6A/8A or the plug & socket will get HOT.

a 50-100W dash panel is ideal. . .


see here when i done it.

[Guide] Mobile Solar Panels ? . . . - How I Did It -

Mobile Solar Panels ? . . . - How I Did It - There is loads of background to this . . . . . but for now here is a vid for you all. =] Just remember W = V*A and as a general rule a good 100W panel will give you up to 6A charge with good sun. 25w = 1.5A 50W = 3A 100w = 6A 200w = 12A 300w = 18A...

www.t6forum.com

 

[Kentish]

Wow, didn't know that was possible. I have just purchased a Jackery 1000 V2 and 80W panel. Also looking to potentially fit a DC-DC Charger and battery under the seat.

Just looking at having flexible options. Didn't really want permentant panel on the roof etc.

Complete newbie over here, first van T6.1 purchased brand new in April...

 

[Captain Quick]

You can charge the starter battery directly through the cigerette port?

In a T6.0 I believe you can. However, in a T6.1 with a factory-fitted second (leisure) battery, owners have found that the two sockets in the cab are fed from the leisure battery. This means that with a T6.1 you’ll have to connect to the starter battery under the bonnet or pick up the feed to the Split Charge Relay under the passenger seat.

If you’ve got a factory-fitted tow bar, trying to charge via the tow-bar electric socket will only work if you’re happy to do some hacking to fool the controller into believing that you have a trailer connected.

 

[Kentish]

In a T6.0 I believe you can. However, in a T6.1 with a factory-fitted second (leisure) battery, owners have found that the two sockets in the cab are fed from the leisure battery. This means that with a T6.1 you’ll have to connect to the starter battery under the bonnet or pick up the feed to the Split Charge Relay under the passenger seat.

If you’ve got a factory-fitted tow bar, trying to charge via the tow-bar electric socket will only work if you’re happy to do some hacking to fool the controller into believing that you have a trailer connected.

What about with a retrofit DC-DC Charger? Would this charge both batteries?

 

[Dellmassive]

Wow, didn't know that was possible. I have just purchased a Jackery 1000 V2 and 80W panel. Also looking to potentially fit a DC-DC Charger and battery under the seat.

Just looking at having flexible options. Didn't really want permentant panel on the roof etc.

Complete newbie over here, first van T6.1 purchased brand new in April...

I've tested the Jackory portable power box + 5A charger too. . .

[Guide] Battery Maintainer (for Starter battery) -- How I Done It --

I’ve just fitted the AMT12-2 today and hooked up the EHU. The BM2 shows that the starter received some charge back but seems to have stopped at 12.29V. What voltage level on the starter should it maintain / reach? Keeps mine at 12.6, I asked the same question last week and if the AMT wasn’t...

www.t6forum.com

 

[Dellmassive]

What about with a retrofit DC-DC Charger? Would this charge both batteries?

DC-DC chargers are more powerful, so need direct connections to the batterys. . .

a dc-dc will charge the leisure battery when the engine is running, (starter is also charged when engine running)

but I've done it using quick disconnects - ie SB50 Anderson connectors.

[Guide] DC-DC Charger (for leisure battery) -- How I Done It --

DC-DC Charger (for Leisure battery) -- How I Done It -- ************************************************** Dellmassive`s -- "how I Done It" -- Thread ************************************************** Kit List And Stuff -- How I Done It & What I Use --...

www.t6forum.com

 

[Kentish]

Love this!

I have my jackery and want to avoid doing a big install with inverter etc fitted to the van.

Ideally yes want to be able to charge the van from the jackery - your idea above works well.

Also solar...

I see you went for a CTEK, I was looking at the Victron products mainly..

Wouldn't mind an extra battery under the seat. I have T6.1 with the wire already there from Fusebox SJ. Does a secondary battery with DC-DC mean that, for example, I could run the interior lights for longer without the batteries going flat. I won't really connect anything to van directly I just want it so electric doors, tailgate, interior lights can operate over a long weekend without having to start and run the engine to keep battery topped up.

Just want flexibility as we use the van as family bus but want to have the kit we can take for festivals and weekends away...

 

[Dellmassive]

Love this!

I have my jackery and want to avoid doing a big install with inverter etc fitted to the van.

Ideally yes want to be able to charge the van from the jackery - your idea above works well.

Also solar...

I see you went for a CTEK, I was looking at the Victron products mainly..

Wouldn't mind an extra battery under the seat. I have T6.1 with the wire already there from Fusebox SJ. Does a secondary battery with DC-DC mean that, for example, I could run the interior lights for longer without the batteries going flat. I won't really connect anything to van directly I just want it so electric doors, tailgate, interior lights can operate over a long weekend without having to start and run the engine to keep battery topped up.

Just want flexibility as we use the van as family bus but want to have the kit we can take for festivals and weekends away...

I've tested numerous DC-DC chargers.

i wasnt overly impressed with the CTEK D250 range - if i remeber i called it "a good safe bet"

i now used the Victron XS dc-dc in both vans,



have a look over here for more stuff you will like. . .

Dellmassive’s "How I Done It" blogs.

-- Dellmassive`s -- "How I Done It" -- thread -- ************************************************** Dellmassive`s -- "how I Done It" -- Thread ************************************************** Kit List And Stuff -- How I Done It & What I Use --...

www.t6forum.com

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[roadtripper]

If you’ve got a factory-fitted tow bar, trying to charge via the tow-bar electric socket will only work if you’re happy to do some hacking to fool the controller into believing that you have a trailer connected.

It's not that difficult, not really hacking at all, and it works very well to maintain the single battery in the Caravelle. I also used it with my 5A CTEK to camp forma long weekend over the summer and keep the lights and fridge going.

https://www.t6forum.com/threads/trailer-socket-12v-ehu-how-I've-done-it.45009/

I have a 100w panel and Victron MPPT to try and make a solar version soon.

 

[Captain Quick]

It's not that difficult, not really hacking at all, and it works very well to maintain the single battery in the Caravelle. I also used it with my 5A CTEK to camp forma long weekend over the summer and keep the lights and fridge going.

https://www.t6forum.com/threads/trailer-socket-12v-ehu-how-I've-done-it.45009/

I have a 100w panel and Victron MPPT to try and make a solar version soon.

Maybe not a hack as such but having explored using an Ablemail AMT12-2 battery maintainer (in conjunction with the existing EHU mains charger) I abandoned the idea of connecting to the starter battery via the tow socket. I felt installing the AMT12-2 was a rather more elegant and practical solution to the challenge of keeping the starter battery charged during periods of non-use.

 

[roadtripper]

The AMT ks more fit and forget, so long as your leisure battery is also recieving charge from solar/EHU

For me I like the challenge of making it work and also, for now, I'm keeping the van pretty much stock and I had almost all the bits to hand. With where I park tailgate on to the garage it's pretty convenient and tidy; where it is a little less elegant I found was while doing a spot of camping as I have a rear kitchen pod and the cable protrudes quite a bit which is mildly annoying when prepping stuff.