The Toyota Landcruiser Owners Club

seph234 · Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 21:23 Post subject: solar panel

Hello i have a solar panel trickle charger, does anybody know if i can plug it into the cigerette lighter to trickle power into the battery or is there something in the circuit that would stop this thanks. Joe

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andy · Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 21:57 Post subject:

Only if the lighter works with the ignition turned off, doesn't work on any vehicle I have had so would say No.
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Ecky Thump · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 14:40 Post subject:

Seph

When my bike is laid up for winter I just connect the panel straight to the battery.
Just put some fly leads from the battery to a socket somewhere useful to you and put the corresponding plug on to
the solar panel cable.
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1998 VX Ltd Auto 4.2TD 24 valve beast!! OME 50mm lift & Safari Snorkel
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Crispin · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 14:47 Post subject:

Nuclear Chicken · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 17:08 Post subject:

Where does one acquire a solar panel such as this?
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seph234 · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 19:26 Post subject:

Hello thanks for all the replies. I didnt think it would be that easy, so if i connect to to the battery (fused of course) and run it through to the glove box i could have some female connectors in there that then connect to the solar panel that i could sit inside on the dash. My panel is the briefcase type that opens up i got it from northern tools .com it has got the built in diode so no wories with discharge.

my idea is for when i go camping im going to use 12v lights etc for the tent and i thought this would keep the battery topped up. cheers. Joe

seph234 · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 19:27 Post subject:

Ecky Thump · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 20:17 Post subject:

Crispin · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 20:53 Post subject:

Maplin have a special on (Saw in store last week) for some of them. Had ones that you left on the dash, had the briefcase ones as well as the "bolt onto your roof" kind of ones.

Fleabay is a good option for them as well.
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Crispin
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wildsmith · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 22:02 Post subject:

If you're going to use a panel externaly and are wired for aux towing electrics (the grey socket not black) the bottom most pin should be a constant +ve i.e. not ignition switched and next pin round anti-clockwise -ve. I scratched my head about where best to mount an external power point for plugging in my battery charger at home and the solar panel when camping and then remembered there was already one fitted Laughing

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Jon m0zxj

01 UZJ100 lifted (AHC & 40mm BL), ARB locked f&r, cryo'd 4.88's, TJM front bumper, 12k goldfish, sliders, rack, snorkel, 35's, storage, aux power etc.
93 HDJ80 sold
94 HDJ80 RIP

Crispin · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 22:28 Post subject:

wildsmith · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 23:22 Post subject:

How much power to safely draw is going to depend on the installation so unless you can verify a higher rating I'd keep it down to 10amps or so continuous but if you can find the fuse for it then that will give you a better idea. I installed my own so I know its good for at least 30amps and my charger is only rated for 20amps and the solar panel much less! Just wanted to point it out as an existing external power point for some, switched and constant, that has more uses than just connecting to the caravan and withstands the weather reasonably well Very Happy

If you're talking about internal power pickup for things in the boot then I'd run a decent cable from under the bonnet to a small fuse block rather than piggy backing the towing electrics.
_________________
Jon m0zxj

01 UZJ100 lifted (AHC & 40mm BL), ARB locked f&r, cryo'd 4.88's, TJM front bumper, 12k goldfish, sliders, rack, snorkel, 35's, storage, aux power etc.
93 HDJ80 sold
94 HDJ80 RIP