Charge engine battery via cigarette lighter socket?

harryajh

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Hi, we have a 2015 Chausson Welcome 717GA which doesn't have a solar panel on the roof so thinking of buying a solar panel to stick on the windscreen (or side window) to trickle charge the engine battery via the cigarette lighter socket.

Firstly, does anyone know if our motorhome supports this and secondly, how could I tell if it was actually charging it or not?

thanks in advance and apologies if this is a bit of a thicky question

ade
 
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I have heard of this being done but the problem may be the cigarette lighter socket may not be live with the ignition off.
Where is the vehicle battery located ?
My Fiat battery is located in a well in front of the passenger seat covered by a plastic panel which is easily removed for access. If yours is similiar you could connect the solar panel leads directly to the battery.
 
Some ignition switches have an intermediate position which allows the cig lighter to supply power and thus allow a feed from the solar panel.


I have used small panels which fall into the "chocolate teapot" category !
 
Like this which i have, not much use in winter, best fit a link with a switch so you can charge at home from mains.vetronic.png
 
thanks for all the replies guys, out in it later today so a few things to investigate/try out - I have thought about a roof panel but believe they're about £500 fitted which is a bit too much at the moment.

I think my best bet for now is to check if the cig lighter works without the ignition on
 
harryajh said:
thanks for all the replies guys, out in it later today so a few things to investigate/try out - I have thought about a roof panel but believe they're about £500 fitted which is a bit too much at the moment.

I think my best bet for now is to check if the cig lighter works without the ignition on
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hi regarding solar panels, they a small solar panel that connects to your battery with crocodile clips, that may be an option
 
Hi, our Citroen Relay cigarette lighter socket is not live with ignition off, but we do have connections under the bonnet for jump starting, you could clip your solar Panel leads to them. I’d put a fuse on it though
 
yea sounds like a plan my motorhome is a Knaus 1998 i’ve had it now for 12years and it’s never fail an mot or had advisories mind you i spent a lot of time working on it too,
 
i fitted this inside my motorhome it has two cigarette sockets you can switch in on an off to maybe you could fit something like this , also fitted an inline fuse

FEECE824-2456-412E-8174-D06A0F0DF39F.jpeg
 
trevskoda said:
No because you still require a mppt regulator between the two, you cannot just plug a panel into the socket.
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There are some small panels - 20W or so that are setup to connect direct to the battery.
How worthwhile a panel like that is is a separate question (I bought a little one like that to try a few years ago but just sold it on and didn't get another).
 
Wire directly to battery
harryajh said:
thanks for all the replies guys, out in it later today so a few things to investigate/try out - I have thought about a roof panel but believe they're about £500 fitted which is a bit too much at the moment.

I think my best bet for now is to check if the cig lighter works without the ignition on
Click to expand...
Roof solar panel 100 w diy kit about £100
 
I have one of the 12 volt panels from Aldi. Works a treat to keep engine battery topped up. Before I got it the alarm would drain the battery down while it was in storage.
 
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