Reply To: Solar panels
I’ve two batteries, both in my landrover and the Deauville, the Deauville has a 110amp leisure battery, connected to the 25 amp solar panel, and can be manually connected to the vehicle battery via a switch under the dash.
The landrover has a split charger, but I’ve found that this burns out the second battery, so I don’t recommend this. Basically if your second battery is already fully charged when you start the vehicle, the split charger allows the amperage from the alternator into the circut, this is at a time when it’s pushing out high amps to replenish the car battery, as it’s just been used to start the engine. This overcharging burns the battery out.
The switchable ‘link’ between the two batteries on the Deauville is slower to replenish the battery charge, but allows it’s draw in the amps needed to bring it back up to charge is and when you need it.
I also use a low 1.5amp trickle charger over the winter to ensure the battery does not get flat due to lack of use.
John
