Packable solar for those odd moments of winter sunshine

I think it's great, and I'd love to be doing the same. But, 30 kWh in a month? £6 ish in the cost of normal electric makes yours really expensive... A petrol generator? 2 gallons maybe?

Just puts it into perspective...
And this makes a really good point, not only is it the physical cost to produce a small amount of electricity. It’s the environmental impact of producing said equipment. In remote locations or mobile living you have to accept the costs of power. Just imagine if governments were this stupid. At least we are all looked after by people with real world experience and taught by people who had real jobs in industry before they took up teaching. Just a thought.
 
And this makes a really good point, not only is it the physical cost to produce a small amount of electricity. It’s the environmental impact of producing said equipment. In remote locations or mobile living you have to accept the costs of power. Just imagine if governments were this stupid. At least we are all looked after by people with real world experience and taught by people who had real jobs in industry before they took up teaching. Just a thought.

Whilst I agree with what you are saying, the reality is that we produce far more products which have a much more negative affect on the environment for our leisure/pleasure - cars that do 200mph, Chelsea tractors even motorhomes and people willingly spend their money on these if they can afford it. (As would I if I had the money!).

So if somebody chooses to spend a lot of money to live off grid and be self sufficient, who are we to question? Once the money is laid out for such a system it is a duty to get as much back from it as possible. A Ferrari will never give anything back environmentally.
 
Whilst I agree with what you are saying, the reality is that we produce far more products which have a much more negative affect on the environment for our leisure/pleasure - cars that do 200mph, Chelsea tractors even motorhomes and people willingly spend their money on these if they can afford it. (As would I if I had the money!).

So if somebody chooses to spend a lot of money to live off grid and be self sufficient, who are we to question? Once the money is laid out for such a system it is a duty to get as much back from it as possible. A Ferrari will never give anything back environmentally.
Just when i was going to send you one for xmas, ok order canceled, rust old van on its way. 😂
 
My installation is now complete. And after days of bright sunshine, ending yesterday, I can confirm,100% of nowt is nowt.🤬.
Unless of course I’ve messed up somewhere.
Amazing what a bit of sunshine can do. 86w coming from the new panel. The main tilting panels on the roof were only giving 10ish, in almost full shade. I’m happy with that, although I don’t really understand how it works. Perhaps ignorance is bliss.
My solar panels are now matching the battery bank. Almost 😬
 
Amazing what a bit of sunshine can do. 86w coming from the new panel. The main tilting panels on the roof were only giving 10ish, in almost full shade. I’m happy with that, although I don’t really understand how it works. Perhaps ignorance is bliss.
My solar panels are now matching the battery bank. Almost 😬
Del move the van, shade is no good lol
 
It’s on the drive mate. Stuck at home 🙄. Great place to visit. Living here is something else. Planning a getaway asap😬
 
Yes sun today and my folding panels are hanging around again. I did see 6.2 amps with a heavy load on the habitation batteries. The BVM shows the additional charge, but networking the MPPT's doesn't show an improved network power. A bit of playing required I suspect. So yes it works! Going to buy another along with a pack of small Anderson plugs and sockets.
 
Yes sun today and my folding panels are hanging around again. I did see 6.2 amps with a heavy load on the habitation batteries. The BVM shows the additional charge, but networking the MPPT's doesn't show an improved network power. A bit of playing required I suspect. So yes it works! Going to buy another along with a pack of small Anderson plugs and sockets.
Init great when a plan comes together. A very rare occasion for me 😉
 
Bring me sunshine. 😂
morkam and wise.png
 
Great idea to hang it from the awning rail. Weve got a panel very like this and also a smaller one. Hmm, must look at making something to hang it up like you have. Ours would be used to charge a 1000w power station or a 500w and I know the 500w will charge up completely in a day in summer when the smaller panel is propped against the hedge...
I suppose a series of props fixed on behind could allow for adjusting the tilt.
 
Great idea to hang it from the awning rail. Weve got a panel very like this and also a smaller one. Hmm, must look at making something to hang it up like you have. Ours would be used to charge a 1000w power station or a 500w and I know the 500w will charge up completely in a day in summer when the smaller panel is propped against the hedge...
I suppose a series of props fixed on behind could allow for adjusting the tilt.
We have 600 watts on the roof, this is to boost the off days or help with a low sun early or late in the season.
 
In Finland it’s the norm to hang panels on the sides of the houses.
I have two way tilting roof panels on my van which has proven perfectly adequate but only when I actually need to raise them which isn’t that often.

Then there’s this four way tilt plus one permanently on the side …

 

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