Better PICS with it all connected up, and strapped down as per MOT requirements,also showing my mess of wiring(to be tidied up soon). Had to bash in the wheel well a bit bu that was to help manoeuvre the battery into position. Very happy with it and it is charging in the solar at about 14.5 volts so the other battery was knackered, plus it had a bit of a bulge in the side!!
I've been reading this thread with interest as I'm new to the world of leisure batteries, solar panels etc , how do I test to see if mine is ok ? It's takes a charge from an optimate and says it's ok , if it does need changing , I guess it's worth getting the biggest one that will fit , though what does the extra ah mean in real terms , for example does it mean that I could run the fridge for longer or is it not that simple , plus I guess if you have the solar panels then maybe it doesn't matter if you have a smaller ah battery ? I'll be sure to pick @mikedjames brain on the subject at techenders, but would like to get something up and running for techenders to keep the beer cool !
Yes bigger battery = longer lasting basically. What fridge do you have? Depending in the fridge type will also depend in the length of time you can run the fridge from the battery.
Ok cheers it is that simple then ! , not sure on which fridge I've got , will get my lazy backside out of bed and have a look it's a brown one if that helps !
If it's the one I think then it won't last very long in a leisure battery without the engine running, they are usually good for keeping cold whilst driving then straight onto hookup or run it off gas if it's a three way when you get to site.
@pkrboo which panel did you use? Tempted to go down this route after seeing your setup the other day..... Just need to figure out a way without drilling new holes if poss.....
The ones we have are semi flexible made by midsummer energy (something like that) they are 50 Watts each. I have just stick them to the roof with other seal and then drilled a couple of holes for the cables to go through. If you don't use your roof rack you could easily get a solid 100watt panel on yours. Very easy and you would have a good airflow around it which also helps. I got my kit from solar guru when he was at Skeg Vegas. Huw is the guys name. Gave me a good deal.
Cheers mate, time to start some research. Perfect job for a friday at work I've been looking at a bag for the roof rack recently, seems like we take a lot more stuff now Penny is with us so the flexible option might be the best. I reckon if I can route it into the pop top somehow without a hole then the rest is easy. Might have to just drill one hole in the poptop I guess, easily filled if removed in the future.
