Dual Battery Solar Charging

Submitted: Friday, Jan 30, 2004 at 20:53

ThreadID: 10145 Views:2252 Replies:2 FollowUps:8

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Parso

Learned Friends,
I have a 32 watt Uni-solar panel which I wish to use to trickle charge my dual battery
Optima Yellow top setup.
Can anyone suggest a suitable wiring system to allow charge to go to both the batteries &/or the one that needs it?
Look forward to hearing from you.
ParsoParso

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Reply By: Eric Experience. - Friday, Jan 30, 2004 at 22:22

Friday, Jan 30, 2004 at 22:22

Parso.
Normaly with a dual battery system the starter battery is not discharged, so the 2nd battery is the one that needs charging, with your small panel you have no chance of over charging you Optima so simply connect the panel to the battery pos to pos and your done. Eric.

AnswerID: 44894

Follow Up By: -OzyGuy- - Friday, Feb 06, 2004 at 13:06

Friday, Feb 06, 2004 at 13:06

Parso,
use short as possible amount of 'Quality' wire and all connectors soldered and crimped to eliminate power loss, and as stated connect direct to relevant battery posts...

FollowupID: 307741

Reply By: Parso - Friday, Jan 30, 2004 at 22:56

Friday, Jan 30, 2004 at 22:56

Eric
Thanks mate,
I presumed it may have been that simple, however, I'm not up to speed on the solenoids, etc.
As I have an Autofridge the demand on the system is not great. The only other drain is the Versa light - not a lot.
RegardsParso

AnswerID: 44900

Follow Up By: Brian - Friday, Jan 30, 2004 at 23:27

Friday, Jan 30, 2004 at 23:27

Got to love that Autofridge........

Brian

FollowupID: 307063

Follow Up By: Parso - Saturday, Jan 31, 2004 at 10:54

Saturday, Jan 31, 2004 at 10:54

Brian
You are spot on there.
I've had my Autofridge for 10 years now and it has not missed a beat.

ParsoParso

FollowupID: 307103

Follow Up By: Brian - Saturday, Jan 31, 2004 at 17:39

Saturday, Jan 31, 2004 at 17:39

Ditto

Brian

FollowupID: 307127

Follow Up By: carazy merredin wa - Sunday, Feb 01, 2004 at 17:25

Sunday, Feb 01, 2004 at 17:25

But what would happen if for some reason the auto frige lost power for the day? i.e. blown fuse, dog/kid bumped connector. Do you have to run the fridge for 24 hrs none stop again? This would be a problem if camped up for say 3 or more days. The engel starts cooling straight away.

FollowupID: 307206

Follow Up By: Brian - Sunday, Feb 01, 2004 at 20:12

Sunday, Feb 01, 2004 at 20:12

If you have the right connectors! no problems in 10 years!!!
The Auto fridge requires only 2hrs morning and night to keep things cool, if heaven forbid the fuse blows ( I have wired an iluminated switch in mine if it 's not shining then is not running!) the fridge will keep cool for a day or so. Mine sits in the back of the Patrol all the time in full sun. Have never had any problems!!!!!
The reason I went to Auto Fridge is that Engel went away from The danfos pump(don't know what they are running now?) The benifit as I see them is low current draw and durability, have 2 mates with the same unit for 10 years+ same story!!
In the end it's horses for courses if you are happy with you Engel great I am more than happy with my Auto fridge!!!!

Brian

FollowupID: 307220

Follow Up By: -OzyGuy- - Friday, Feb 06, 2004 at 13:09

Friday, Feb 06, 2004 at 13:09

Hi, I'm not an Autofridge user, however have often wondered do you have to actually turn the fridge on & off daily for the few hours it runs or is it done by the fridge as required or automaticly via a timer etc.???

FollowupID: 307742