The Doc had to replace the Patrol’s auxiliary battery charger, with a new Redarc 1225D which has a solar panel input. The Doc purchased a 100w Giant Solar panel (which uses A grade solar cells) and installed it himself on the roof rack, allowing space for the recovery tracks, jerry can and second spare tyre.

The wiring goes along the bottom of the roof rack to the gutter. The wiring then goes down the gutter behind the snorkel (visible on the right), through some body work just in front of the windscreen into the engine bay and plugs into the Redarc 1225D.

The panel is secured by six M10 eye bolts to the roof rack (five are visible in the image below). Six M12 bolts fix the panel to the brackets. The brackets are 4mm thick. The roof rack should come off before the panel ever does!

The panel has been working well and keeping the auxiliary battery topped up, with power to spare. The Doc has been using this extra power to charge various household batteries in the Patrol.

The Doc is now testing battery monitors with their iPhone & Android Apps to get real time data on battery condition. The Patrol’s Autron voltage gauges only work when the car is turned on. It is part of an ongoing project to extend battery life of the Patrol’s starter and auxiliary batteries. EDIT: battery monitor review is here.