A simple easy solution to solar charging until my wife ran over the solar panel. connected directly to the jump start post under the bonnet. 100 watt suitcase style solar panel with inbuilt mppt controller. I’ve got two now which is more than enough to run my fridge ,lights and equipment charging
Do you think these panels could have a connector spliced into the wiring to connect to the exterior power outlets on the roof hand holds? That would be convenient and put them up high and out of the way. Thanks.A simple easy solution to solar charging until my wife ran over the solar panel
The CTEK charger should see that the main battery's voltage has increased above the "start charging" set point, and after some amount of time will close the relay and start charging the aux. battery. Depending on the actual state of charge of the main battery and aux battery, this may only last a few moments before the relay re-opens because the main battery's voltage drops. Eventually, with enough time and enough sunlight, it could charge the aux battery as well.
They could, assuming the charge controller was also external to the vehicle (or connected to the panel directly). This would also require the assumption that there are no diodes or other wiring that would prevent bi-directional current through the roof switch system to the aux. battery.
Yes you can. If the accessories are wired through the aux power switches. The switches can be turned on and off when the car is off. You must have chosen the aux power option for this.
Correct, the solar charge controller (connected to the jump start post) has no idea whether it is charging 1 battery or 10. All it knows is that it is providing voltage/current as it believes it needs to. If the factory CTEK DC-DC charger senses that the main battery is at a high enough voltage (because it cannot judge state of charge, only voltage) and closes the relay to start charging the aux battery, then the solar charge controller will effectively see a voltage drop on the "battery" that it is hooked to (because now there is an increased load on the main battery). Having this sort of periodically opening/closing relay (to charge the aux battery) isn't exactly ideal when you have an inconsistent power source (solar), but works great if you have consistent power (like an AC-DC charger). I have done the latter on several previous builds to ensure the aux (and subsequently the main) batteries were at 100% SoC while parked in my driveway for several days and leaving everything turned on (fridge on, charging devices, weboost, etc)
I have to ask, how can we verify this can be done? The current owners manual is limited on this type capability.
Those of us in the US have plenty of time to worry about it later...
Or look at @Telliottaus' posts here:
I'll probably route solar down on the passenger LHS through that grommet now I know how to do it... might look at the c pillar but that seems like hard work ... looks like it has more bolts etc to undo..
On my two seat utility the smartpass is connected between the two batteries this allows charging of both batteries with the alternator. As delivered nothing is connected to the auxiliary battery although i have connected my ARB fridge to the smart pass which will take power from the auxiliary battery.
Does this mean you fridge would deplete first the starter battery and then cut it off. However I you would try to start the aux batter would still be there as a back-up?
My understanding is that the smartpass will cut the power to any loads connected to the auxiliary battery when the voltage drops below a certain level so maintaining enough power to help the starter battery if needed. I don’t have the smartpass manual with me so can’t check at what level it cuts off. I’ve got a pdf copy but can’t check till later. If you connect loads directly to the auxiliary battery instead of via the smartpass then you have no such protection.
You really can't beat lifting the seats and just looking at the wiring - follow it from the positive terminal and see where it goes. Any information gained this way will probably stay with you far longer than just reading about it. Having said that, reading the Smartpass manual is also very useful, although I do struggle with the pictures indicating the various lights and what they mean when lit/flashing.
