Solar Panel help!

[Compass Rallye]

We have just purchased a newer van and have found whilst at the Motorcaravan show at Knutsford a few teething problems with it.

1.How do we attach both the main points and the solar panel crocodile clips to the battery when there is only 2 terminals and not enough space to have both on? We did try a sort of attachment thing we bought from one of the stalls but that wouldnt go around the terminal so was no good. Its a faff having to take all off to charge up with solar panel all the time! Any ideas where I could get hoops or similar to go over terminals with a tab on so we could use battery and have it charging at the same time?

2.we have to open the door of our 4X4 each time we hitch up as it has an alko-hitch lock which is a pain. Any suggestions on this?

3. How do you fit the ball underneath an alko hitch lock. we bought one off ebay but couldnt work out how to put the ball in!!

any ideas greatfully received! cheers! B-) (lol) :-> :-) :-o

[Derek Uzzell]

As a non-caravanner I'm not in a position to comment usefully on your Questions 2 & 3.

 

Regarding Question 1, I guess the logical approach would be to replace the terminal 'clamps' on your battery with ones that make crocodile-clip connection simpler. Many clamps have a stud on to which crocodile clips can be (reasonably securely) attached, while some have multiple cable-connection points. An example of the latter is here http://tinyurl.com/ox3xhv5

 

As you are going to be regularly connecting/disconnecting your solar panel, you might consider adding supplementary cables to the replacement terminal-clamps, and leading those cables to a suitable socket (example here)

 

http://www.leisureshopdirect.com/caravan/electric/12v_plugs_and_sockets/2_pin_sockets.aspx

 

and replacing the solar panel's crocodile-clips with a matching plug (example here)

 

http://www.leisureshopdirect.com/caravan/electric/12v_plugs_and_sockets/2_pin_plugs.aspx