The application of 12V technology to my situation

My van has a 100 AH battery in a lockable enclosure with a door to the side of the van. I have a 160 watt folding solar panel. I have not bought a new regulator but some rudimentary tests suggest that the solar panels, as they are, replace one nights power usage quite quickly.
I have arrangements to secure the panels to the van when in use but as things stand the battery enclosure has to be partly open to allow for the clamps of the solar panels to be attaches, so it is vulnerable to theft.
The logical solution is to have a plug fitted externally on the van but if I am to have an auto electrician do that for me I may as well have a DC to DC battery charger fitted at the same time and also some method of measuring charger input and battery output and state of charge of battery.
I have in mind a Ctek D250S . My questions are:
1. What alternatives are there to the Ctek that are in the same price range?
2. What type and brand of measuring device would be the most suitable to keep tabs on usage and supply.
Cost effectiveness is a fairly important factor. If is was 37 and setting up for a long future I would be looking to the top shelf for equipment that would maximise battery life and so fourth. But since my age is expressed by reversing those numbers it is quite possible that I will never need to buy another battery no matter how I treat the one I have. Just so you know where I am coming from.
And I am looking forward to a chance to use the new "Thank You" button.
Cheers,
Kevin
Kevin
It is important to always maintain a sense of proportion

2019 Mitsubishi Cross

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  My Position  Send Message

Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Sponsored Links