A quick solar charging question…

[Lambeth Cali]

Hi
In order to keep my batteries topped up I have plugged a 20w dash solar panel into my bench cigarette socket on my 2008 T5. I’m not sure if it’s working.

Should I have the isolation switch in the boot on Generator or other/plugged in?

I’ve had it on Generator as that’s how I usually leave it parked up. The panel has an isolation box so not worried about it tripping anything.

 

[yanathem]

The isolation switch in the rear boot has nothing to do with the battery 12v dc system only 230v ac mains.
Are you sure a 20w solar panel will be anywhere near enough powerful to trickle charge your batteries over winter placed behind the windscreen. A 100w panel on a van roof connected direct to one of the batteries would maybe just about cope keeping healthy fully charged batteries charged from now through to late spring.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Possibly not but thanks for clarifying.

Last year I had a choice of getting roof solar to top up my 16 year old batteries which had been amazing or get new batteries. I didn’t want roof solar, so I did the latter, but perhaps I needed both.

My original OEM batteries used to sit all winter long without ever being plugged in. They lasted 16 years. I’ve owned these Tayna Varta replacements 6 months and they’re already looking far far inferior.

I may connect the panel directly to the underseat battery as the wires came with the panel and resign myself to having to move it to my drive and plug in every 8 weeks or so.

Tayna customer service seem to think 6 weeks without plugging in was a long time. I thought these things were used on boats etc??

A shame. Trying to be glass half full, I suppose I should think I was lucky for 16 years.