Next jobs!

As things are settling I will be able to finish the rear o/s cabinets. 

Floor units first:

400 cm wide base unit with door via Ikea. But shortened to 450/500 cm deep. To offer a little more working room at the back of the van. As we opted for a wider kitchen unit on nearside this time. Mainly to give better work surface area.

Reposition the electrics panel over to rear by 200 cm. 

I looking at building a custom cabinet on the end of the 400 unit but it's possible a standard IKEA one will do the job ( I need to enclose the porta potti if possible).

bits n bobs

Passenger seat armrest decides now and then to loosen even if not used! Simple fix remove outer armrest cover at point of swivel. Allenn key to tighten. This time added a dab of loctite!

Think I'll go for another 80 cm width base unit but cut its depth down to 60 cm. 

Or ..........🙄😂

Solar panel updates

The panel seems to holding the battery at 12.1-2 as read by volt meter via the EOPD plug.

There's so much in the way of hidden electrics these days that I wonder if that is sustainable during winter months. 

The van hasn't been used properly for a while due to illness, so at least it's holding at 12+ volts.

But wondered if it was directly connected to the panel I'd get any increase of volts at the battery.

Yesterday I hardwired the Clamp accessory to the main battery ( removed crocodile clips replaced with boltable connectors to see if that improves reading.

I've moved the panel over to the drivers side so I could temporarily run cable at this point. Which has to go thru door into bonnet to use. 

And remind me to disconnect when I'm back at work in a week or so!

19/09/21

Checked voltage staying at 12 volts, weather dull today and direct sun is only to around midday.

27/09/21

No difference in voltage whether using cigarette socket/Din / direct to battery! Interesting! 

States that you need to maintain the battery at 12.5 v I'm lucky to get 12.2!

Although technically it's the wrong battery (it isn't a stop start one, even tho sold to me as suitable !!!) 

08/10/21

Vans not being used for a couple of weeks. I've tried all the input sockets and all read about the same as the EOPD socket, as that's the recommended one I'll use it! 

I've disconnected the liesure battery so that the panel will only charge the main battery, and turned the van to get the most daylight. 

I've read that you shouldn't use solar chargers if the battery is stop start as most panels don't have charge protection! This one does and only puts out 4.8 volts. As said before the battery isn't specifically for stop start either? (Will replace in the spring as it will need pairing with the vehicle!) 

So the experiment begins tomorrow!

Solar Panel 2

         Positioned for photograph.

Would normally up against windscreen!

AA solar panel seems fairly substantial piece of kit, comes with battery clamps, cigarette plug, EOPD plug, AA recommends that this is the plug to use! 

Doesn't need direct sunlight to work and if in doubt a small led light can be used to check to see if the panel is working.

You can also permanently fix it with supplied screws. 

I've just rested it on the top of the dash plugged into the EOPD socket. The leads are long enough to cover most requirements.

But of course since it arrived it's been cloudy! It will still supply a charge but not the full 4.8v ! 

As long as the battery holds what it should that's fine. 

But will still daily check till I'm satisfied I can leave the vehicle safely for a few weeks!

04/09/21

Decent day to check on solar panel when plugged in volts were 11.9/12 

Checked this afternoon about 3 pm 12.2 

That's good enough where van is parked doesn't get full sun so as long as it maintains 12v anything over is a bonus! 

solar panels

As the current main battery is not quite right! I need to keep it charged along with its not used daily etc.

So ordered an AA solar panel (reviews gave it 9.7) that can be wired direct to battery unplugged if not in use etc. Good reviews etc. So when van parked up for week or so I can use the panel to keep battery topped up!

The rear roof panel takes care of the liesure battery!

Battery

Main battery seems to be draining. Oh bliss!

12.5 3 days 12.1 nothing should be draining it!

Leisure battery system only has an ignition live connection! 

So; be disconnected the liesure battery and monitor it, took the van for a 12 mile drive back upto 12.5.

Monitor it over next few days!

Electrics finally

Sorted !

Various oddities that were uncovered !

One my fault reinserted a fuse one place down, my excuse lying on my back working with torch between front seat and dash! Days of easy access fuse box gone forever! 

Main hassle was duff info from "specialist" forum !

Foxtec Southampton specialise in auto electrics, so I'll believe them, a family run and established garage! 

1) Jump starting the battery is to be         avoided!

2) Fitting new battery HAS to be re programmed on fitting! 

Which is why electrics went haywire!