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Q Can I recharge AA/AAA batteries using a solar panel?
I have been looking for a solar battery charger to charge AA, AAA, C, D and 9V rechargeable batteries without success. An alternative would be to use the solar panel on our campervan.
Can I use the 12V âvan system to charge these batteries?
Ron Bolton
A Such devices do exist. We found one on eBay for ÂŁ15.50 plus postage (search for âuniversal solar battery chargerâ and look for ones specific to rechargeable batteries).
However, this is very dependent on the level of sunlight and you would be better leaving your motorhome solar panel to maintain your leisure battery and simply using a 12V-powered small cell battery charger to suit your battery size and technology.
NiCad, NiMH and lithium all have diff erent charging requirements.
Itâs worth having a 12V-to-USB adaptor in your motorhome. Th ese can be as simple as ones that plug into the cigarette lighter socket and cost less that ÂŁ6. Or have one wired into your leisure battery circuit. Th en you can consider the range of USB small cell chargers.
Hope that gives you a starter into the range of possibilities.
Clive Mott
Q Is there such a thing as the âdiesel bugâ that can damage engines?
Having looked online, it seems that the âdiesel bugâ is a real and serious threat, especially with the recent changes to diesel formulation. Is it something that, as Fiat Ducato owners, we should be dealing with, such as putting preventative additives in the fuel tank?
Rowan Lee
A I first encountered something like this a few years ago, but not because I had noticed any problems with my vehicles. I had a visit from a Wurth representative and he told me all about a new product that dealt with microbial issues and moisture. He said that it converted traces of water into combustible material and also killed anything else that was growing in the fuel tank. He also pointed out that these issues were going to get worse as diesel became more âbioâ. This was around 2011.
It does appear that this is indeed becoming more of a problem, or is certainly more widely talked about!
The proportion of âbioâ material in diesel fuels has increased, and this would appear to raise the likelihood of biological contaminants that could sink to the bottom of your fuel tank and make sludge. There is a chance that these contaminants could pass through to your fuel filter and clog it.
And, yes, the ever-present moisture in diesel, which should be captured by a fuel filter before it can get into the injection system, provides a suitable medium for the microbes to flourish.
For a regular diesel car, van or truck in daily use, I doubt this will become problematic, at least not
