 | Home > Puma (Tdci) > Solar charger recommendations / install help |
 
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| BogMonster Member Since: 05 Feb 2008 Location: Stanley Posts: 400   
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I'd park it up and just disconnect the battery but you may need the alarm powered? Not an issue here, don't even have an alarm.
My father uses the Draper solar chargers in his Discovery and L200, just sat on top of the dash, seem to work with lots of short runs/infrequent use on the farm. The only thing to be wary of with those is that many vehicles disconnect the power to the cigarette lighter socket when the ignition goes off ... so a plug in solar charger doesn't work too well! --- 2006 Defender 110 SW 300Tdi • 2011 Ford Ranger XLT crewcab • 2015 Defender 110 Station Wagon Utility TDCi |
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30th Mar 2022 8:54am |
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| Leamreject Member Since: 19 Dec 2020 Location: Middle Earth - Leamington Spa Posts: 969  
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I use one of these, works perfectly and connects to the battery.
Even better it’s about £12  Click image to enlarge Ride like you stole it!! If I’m not on a bike it’s because only a 4x4 will do… 2011 2.4 Puma 90 HT |
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30th Mar 2022 11:14am |
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| pistonfields Member Since: 29 Mar 2022 Location: Zurich Posts: 72 
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Do you have a hitch? I think the trailer wiring harness has a direct connection to the battery. I can measure it in the afternoon if you want. But someone might recall from memory. You could just take a small solar panel, a solar charger and a long enough cable and plug it in the trailer hitch plug thingy. That way you don't have to drill any holes, can place the solar panel wherever you want and have a always topped up battery.
Only problem: you might not receive a 100% full charge due to loss in the long cables. But that shouldn't be an issue (as long as you use thick enough cables and don't plan on having an extension cord 20m long). You can live with a slight voltage loss... as long as you get some charge into the battery it should be enough to keep the battery happy. That way you avoid a permanent installation in your car. If you don't have a trailer hitch and wiring harness just route the cable through one of the gaps in the door seals, paying attention not to crush it while closing the door. --- for all others finding this topic and looking for permanent solar options here my take: I have two 100w panels mounted on my roof rack and routed the cable through a hole I made in the back of the car (and one of those cable entry boxes that make it easy to make everything watertight). I had a spare one from my boat so I just used that. Don't know if I'd do it differnet next time... as for charge controllers in my opinion there are two good ways to go - again coming from the boating world and bringing my experience to overlanding vehicles: the Victron MPPT controllers are very popular and with bluetooth easy to set up and monitor. they cost a bit more than simple PWM controllers but offer better performance, more features and "care" more for the battery. You can set up dozens of parameters (or use a preset for a type of battery). The charger monitors the batteries state and shuts off charging when neccessarry. The charger even has a switched output for let's say a fridge. As soon as battery levels get low it shuts off the load to protect the battery. For people having a dual battery setup there are charges like the Votronic SR Duo series. It features two outputs: one to charge your house battery (the one you use for heating, the fridge and other commodities). The second output only puts out like 1A and is inteded to keep the starter battery topped up at all times. I think it's a simple and reliable tool to keep both batteries happy with a simple installation. But nevertheless I'm a big fan of the Victron MPPT controllers due to their features set. That's why I went with the Victron and will install other gadgets to keep both batteries topped up at all times. |
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30th Mar 2022 11:54am |
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| X4SKP Member Since: 29 Nov 2013 Location: Berkshire Posts: 2295  
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Hello churchy
I've gone down 3 routes to try and ensure i'm good to go. 1. CTEK MXS 5.0 Charger (Via Towing Electrics) to maintain / condition the Battery, also works off Power Hook-up when Camping. 2. NOCO GBX75 Power Pack / For 'home and away' / last resort if I've been unlucky (Stupid  )
3. AA 4.8W Battery Solar Charger / around £50.00 >4.0W output in most weather conditions, plugs into the ODBII Port (or a permanently live 12V Socket). The main thing is that it will help to maintain a Good Battery Not recharge a low / faulty Battery. Click image to enlarge If you're really outside with your approach then a waterproof Panel may (should) be sourced... 
Good Luck... SKIP https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html |
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30th Mar 2022 2:07pm |
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| Scotm Member Since: 28 Feb 2014 Location: Aberdeenshire Posts: 666  
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Second the AA one - I got it for £40 via amazon.
Whilst not what you are intending I have it suction cupped to the rear side window into a rear power socket and seems to have made quite a difference if the defender is left for a while. Though had I seen the £12 one above I would have given that a try! |
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30th Mar 2022 2:25pm |
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| churchy Member Since: 28 Jul 2011 Location: UK Posts: 237 
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That’s all great info - thank you for taking the time to respond in such detail all!
I’ll look at the two panel recommendations and get one ordered up - think I’ve worked out how to route it via a front door. Unfortunately now having had the new engine fitted and it being in storage ever since although I think its coincidence since I fitted the new battery the engine has developed a horrible tappety noise at idle which doesn't decrease when the clutch is depressed and wants to cut out even when I just roll it back and forth to free the brakes and change the tyre position. On we go! |
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1st Apr 2022 8:19am |
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