Solar lights a challenge

[big-all]

when they say 56 days do they specify a car battery off 22ah or do they just say car battery

[kellys_eye]

A bigger battery? or two in parallel?

The only useful position (face) for any solar panel would be the top. If you think a panel would survive vandalism then you next need to consider if you can get the wires into the case without cause a leak.

But one thing I forgot to ask: just how long do you need it to work for? If the recording device has to be accessed (emptied) at some time, when is this? Annually? Fortnightly? This would determine whether just adding battery power would be the better route.

You could also consider using different battery technologies - lithium perhaps - and get an awful lot more Ahr's in the same sized package, quicker charging too.

A solar panel might be the solution but I reckon there are better ways to go.

[Someone-Else]

Argyll, I have always believed that a 12v rechargeable lead-acid battery will never recover if it is below 10.5v. (Just saying)

If its of any use the solar panel I use has its connections a few cm from the side, so you could (as I did) cut a big hole in the cabinet lid put the connection cable through this and seal the panel down. Problem solved?

It sounds good but TBH I don't think a solar panel will be of use to you..........
1) Its low down so is easy to get vandalised / covered in dirt and or bird poop
2) Broken the integrity of the cabinet

You really need a lot of sunshine to make the panel viable (I know you only want a slight "trickle charge")

If it did work............
1) Why has someone not already done it?
2) Would you really gain anything from it, may be one or two days IF there is sunshine?

I would be inclined to try two smaller capacity batteries in parallel (Total being bigger than your 22Ah)

Or employ some one give them a push bike and let them change the batteries.

[Argyll]

We already have some cabinets with solar panels. These were installed a few years ago but the money they're asking is ludicrous when I could do it myself for a fraction of the cost.

They are installed as you state SE. A small hole drilled where the cables feed through and sealed with mastic.

There's no real areas where they'd be vandalised. Most people don't even know they're there.

SE you're right about the 10.5v. I was thinking about my other 6v batteries.

[Someone-Else]

Well if the others have a solar panel...................you have a video camera.....

Also how do the solar ones compare? (you do have a video camera..........or was that an Iphone)

The other thing is you must have a broken cabinet sitting around, or make a new one from timber, (identical size) buy a solar panel, battery, charge controller and one of your counters and stick it out side near your place and see how it does

[Argyll]

when they say 56 days do they specify a car battery off 22ah or do they just say car battery

The battery in the video I presume.

[Argyll]

Well if the others have a solar panel...................you have a video camera.....

Also how do the solar ones compare? (you do have a video camera..........or was that an Iphone)

I don't understand???

[big-all]

when they say 56 days do they specify a car battery off 22ah or do they just say car battery

The battery in the video I presume.

iff you suspect a 22ah battery will last around 30 days then that would match a 40ah battery lasting 56 days

[Argyll]

iff you suspect a 22ah battery will last around 30 days then that would match a 40ah battery lasting 56 days

No you misunderstood me. I was told the battery would last around 56 days (dependent on outside temperature) But the traffic counter itself can work on a battery on 6v. But when the 12v battery which I use dips under 10.5v it's difficult to re-charge it although it would still operate the traffic counter until it dips under 6v.

[big-all]

ahh ok got you
if that was me i would line it with 30-50mm polystyrene to even out the peaks and troughs during the days and weeks to make them more reliable but off course not practical with many to look after

[Someone-Else]

Argyll, I am meaning you have a video camera, make a video of the one with a solar panel so we can see what they have done and what kit it has.

[kellys_eye]

But when the 12v battery which I use dips under 10.5v it's difficult to re-charge it although it would still operate the traffic counter until it dips under 6v.

Fit a low-voltage cut-out to operate at 10.8V - disconnects the battery. Will save them from damage.

[Argyll]

Argyll, I am meaning you have a video camera, make a video of the one with a solar panel so we can see what they have done and what kit it has.

Ah got you

[Argyll]

But when the 12v battery which I use dips under 10.5v it's difficult to re-charge it although it would still operate the traffic counter until it dips under 6v.

Fit a low-voltage cut-out to operate at 10.8V - disconnects the battery. Will save them from damage.

KE I'd rather go down the solar route as I still wouldn't get the data I need. But thanks for that I'll have a look.

[kellys_eye]

You didn't comment opn any of the content I mentioned earlier..... re:

A bigger battery? or two in parallel?

The only useful position (face) for any solar panel would be the top. If you think a panel would survive vandalism then you next need to consider if you can get the wires into the case without cause a leak.

But one thing I forgot to ask: just how long do you need it to work for? If the recording device has to be accessed (emptied) at some time, when is this? Annually? Fortnightly? This would determine whether just adding battery power would be the better route.

You could also consider using different battery technologies - lithium perhaps - and get an awful lot more Ahr's in the same sized package, quicker charging too.

A solar panel might be the solution but I reckon there are better ways to go.