Dear All, does anyone know if on a 2007 Ducato 130 multiject the 12v power outlet sockets work without the ignition on?
It sits under a Swift MH and I want to connect a dashtop solar panel to keep the chassis battery topped up(...or atleast not bottomed out!) when not in use for a few weeks...
Thanks
Stokes

On most cars i have had the socket only works with the ignition turned to first notch and i found the same with Panda classic 4X4 and with my Stilo1.9 Jtd, im off now to make sure im right because its got me thinking......

I would test the outlet with something like a phone charger lead and see if it works with the ignition off.
On my earlier model Ducato MH there are two dash 12v socket outlets, both controlled by the ignition switch, one has now been modded by a bit of neat re-wiring in the fuse holder so that it is always live but still fused. Found the mod' on the interweb.
Like you want to do, a small solar panel sits on the dash is pluged into this modded outlet for the vehicle battery.

HTH

Thanks for feedback...getting a steer from other forums not to mess with x250 Canbus electrics which means it looks as if I'll have to use the croc clips on battery terminals - was really hoping to avoid digging up the carpet & floor panel after each trip...poop!

OK, I understand, but the mod' is mearly removing the fuse from its position and supplying a fused link (the original fuse can be used in a new holder) from one side of the blade fuse socket that goes to the outlet, to the side of a empty blade fuse socket that is always live. There are spare empty sockets in the X244 to enable this simple modification

If you want to keep the solar panel wired up to the battery you can get a relay to prevent damage to the solar panel when starting the engine, the solar panel can then be attached to the roof.

Just a possable solution to your problem.

tommytopgun said:

If you want to keep the solar panel wired up to the battery you can get a relay to prevent damage to the solar panel when starting the engine, the solar panel can then be attached to the roof.

Just a possable solution to your problem.

Click to expand...

No need for relays or anything like that just a blocking diode however a dash top solar panel won't be suitable for mounting outside anyway.

Thanks for comments..I bought a dashtop DZ Energy 7.5w Solar Panel from a camping & caravan outlet in Bristol...should give me 2 amps per day, if I ignore comments which suggest you get a fraction of the advertised output!

It came with 6 different connection options...I figured the easiest in terms of effort of connect/disconnect is to permanently connect O ring connectors to the battery terminals with the mating end just poking out under the battery cover plate. I can then connect by just lifting the carpet & handscrew floor panel.

Just wish there was something on the solar panel to tell you it's working...I guess I'll find out in a couple of weeks when I try to start up...

why not get a 12v socket and wire it directly to the battery with an inline fuse.
u can then site it just where u want it and also have another 12v supply somewhere in the cab that is always on.

Solar panels are generally rated at 1000w/m2 which you would get for three hours around midday in east Africa. February in the uk you'll get an average of about 1kwh per m2 per day. Meaning you'd get the equivalent of 7.5w for one hour. However Now bear in mind that without a boost charge controller unless your solar panel voltage minus diode and battery drop is higher than the battery voltage it will be doing nothing. That will be the majority of the time in winter.