Solar Panels

[anonymous-user]

I am looking to get a solar panel to keep battery topped up, garage has no power and was wondering what wattage is best to go for. I have been recommended a 10W one with an in-line diode/fuse to stop reverse drain but not sure if this is enough power.
Any thoughts or experiences of use would help, Thanks

[blitzracing]

Difficult to work out- A 10 Watt panel will be rated this in bright sunlight, not dark wunter days. You need to generate more than the battery voltage to get any charge in at all, so you may find you only get 8 volts, and the battery does not charge at all, so it will be suck it and see. You could put two in series to get a higher voltage- the worse that will happen is the battery will gas, and you will have to top it up, but you will need to go back to one panel in the summer. 10 wats is nearly 1 amp , so its a good wattage for a trickle charge.

[Hedgehopper]

There is a lot of advice to be found on caravan forums and adverts.

[anonymous-user]

Thanks for this, will check other forums but think a 20w panel is good option if its a winter day type of sunlight.

[rickprice]

Hedgehopper said:

There is a lot of advice to be found on caravan forums and adverts.

+1

We have a caravan, and have looked into this extensively.

[lancepar]

They say a 10w panel is max size to use in bright light without the need for a regulator to prevent overcharging a 12v battery, therefore just in case a larger panel is decided on, put a charge controller/regulator in the set up.
And most panels these days only work one way, ie don't discharge in the dark

[MethylatedSpirit]

This will work perfectly well

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Photonic-Universe-motorhom...

This is overkill and would be perfectly good all winter and in overcast. Comes with charge controller too.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Photonic-Universe-controll...

[anonymous-user]

Thats brill thanks guys, I will drop them an email as I need extra length in cable and a ciggy adaptor. Hopfully thats sorted top issues and keeps her ready for a blast if the weather improves.