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Topic: Battery solar thru cigarette lighter? (Read 708 times) previous topic - next topic

Battery solar thru cigarette lighter?

Anyone figured out how much a portable solar could run back through the
cigarette lighter? 

James indicated it is a 20amp circuit: ergo: 240 watts? 
Thinking of the 50W or 100 Watt folding to put up on the dashboard for
boondocking, in front of the curtains. (94 U280). 

(Yes, I know: windshield losses and all that, but I want to start somewhere
, and rig is in shop for a bit, with no power. And we have some sort of
phantom battery draw that over a month will hurt the 8ds.)

Might try the 15w mini, but am in the mood for more......

I have noticed that the 10 to 20W panels have cigarette plugs, but nothing
larger. 

Eventually will add big panels on roof, but need something quick right now.

Ideas???

Many Thanks,

Reid Ellis
R n R
There's 2 ways ta argue with a woman;

NEITHER WORKS!!!

94 U280 GrandVilla
2010 Chevy 1500 WorkTruck

Re: Battery solar thru cigarette lighter?

Reply #1 –
On mine one lighter goes to the house batteries and the other to the start batteries. 
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Battery solar thru cigarette lighter?

Reply #2 –
Mine as well. I run two small panels on the dash in front of the curtain when parked in between trips and have had no issues. Will get numbers and pictures when I get home
Toby a 94 u280
Cummins 8.3
6 speed Allison
Exhaust brake


Adopted by Derek and Annabelle

Re: Battery solar thru cigarette lighter?

Reply #3 –
Your wattage is restricted by the size of wire attached to the plug.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Battery solar thru cigarette lighter?

Reply #4 –
Would advise a charge controller if you go anything bigger than 30 or 40 watts.
Jim
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Battery solar thru cigarette lighter?

Reply #5 –
sun was down when I got home but I am using two panels one for each lighter.  They are both coleman 25 watt crystalline panels each one has a 7 amp charge controller that came with it.  These panels stay ahead of the stuff I cant shut off that is drawing on the batteries. They fit on the dash well but I did have to buy cigarette lighter adapters they only had alligator clips on them and lots of wire. 
Toby a 94 u280
Cummins 8.3
6 speed Allison
Exhaust brake


Adopted by Derek and Annabelle

Re: Battery solar thru cigarette lighter?

Reply #6 –
I put a Coleman 70w on roof for engine Batteries and the controller at bed side panel and they are doing the job easily to keep engine AGMs up to snuff.
Johnh
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Battery solar thru cigarette lighter?

Reply #7 –
I just found an 18watt Coleman kit on Walmarts web site (not available in the stores) that should fit the bill.

On my 2001 U320 the Left hand lighter plug is the engine batteries and the Right side is the coach batteries.  For the RH one you need to have the 'Salesman' switch ON.

I only intend to charge the engine batteries from solar as I am usually plugged in to shore power.

Speedbird 1.
2001 U320 Build #5865
Daihatsu Rocky Toad
VW Touareg
'82 F100 Stepside
Beech' Debonair

Re: Battery solar thru cigarette lighter?

Reply #8 –
On my 2000 U295 the lower lighter plug is for the engine batteries and the upper one is for the coach batteries.  For the upper one to be powered, you need to have the 'Salesman' switch ON.
 
Hope this adds to the knowledge base,
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Battery solar thru cigarette lighter?

Reply #9 –
We have a 1997 U270 and the dash has only one cigarette lighter socket.  We had the same issue with a unknown draw on the 2 starting batteries that caused the coach to not have enough power to start (clicked only).  We now always shut the 12v power off in the stepwell but still want a controlled trickle as there will be months parked in cloudy Anacortes WA.

My question is can we feed a small, controlled solar panel thru this single dash lighter socket to keep the starting batts up (they are sealed lead acid batteries...not AGM or Gell).  Note the coach is always plugged in so I could also put a Battery Tender 3 amp controlled charger on these or the other 2 8D house bank.

Thanks
Carl
Carl and Kathleen
Killeen Texas
1997 U270

Re: Battery solar thru cigarette lighter?

Reply #10 –
If your cigarette lighter plug is dead when you turn off the master switch then, no, connecting your solar at the dash won't work.  If the plug is connected to the engine batteries, then it should remain hot when you turn off the coach 12v and you should be good to go.

If, as you said, you stay connected to shore power most of the time, I would suggest that you consider the external smart charger route.  I installed mine on the engine batteries and plug it into the engine block heater plug that is nearby.  As long as you're connected to power and the lighted switch at the end of the bed is on you know it's working.  Yes, it means that I have to lift the bed to switch back to the block heater but I've only ever needed to use that a couple of times.  It's not expensive.  It's easy.  It works.
 

Re: Battery solar thru cigarette lighter?

Reply #11 –

easy solution. 3 wire connection and any time house batteries are being charged, start batteries are also being charged.
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Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.