Hank the Tanks Dodgy battery and solar system

mistericeman said:
"Clambering up to tilt panels/extra complexity of powered tilt was just too much for me personally ."

I just didn't want the constraint of having to park at a premium angle to the sun for the odd occasion of it being useful ....

Our 'normal' usage pattern meant the b2b was more useful
All horses for courses etc etc

We have a mains Victron charger BUT only time it ever gets used is depths of winter when moho is parked up for extended periods between trips in winter .
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Like you say each to there own.
 
Geek said:
What a shame you don't have any qualifications in reading and comprehension.
That is exactly how I had it wired up, which is why it works just as you described.
The hab batteries get MPPT charging, but the starter battery just gets a 1A trickle charge when the sun is shining.
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Yep dopy fecker is me, i do think you explained incorrectly then, sorry if i misunderstood you. :(
 
Frustratingly I can't measure the roof until Monday now but I think panel size is going to be awkward. Thoughts were to put one behind the roof gland for the existing one but there is more space on the other side of the rear roof panel. One thought I had was a long skinny one across the roof between the rear roof light and the existing panel. Ive drawn on the image below the possibilities. Long skinny panels seem to be the stick on types though generally.

Until I have the proper measurements on Monday its guesswork but any thoughts?

Crap drawing is deceiving because of the angle. There should be equal distance either side of the roof light but the length will be shorter
hank roof panels drawing.png
on the far side because of the existing panel roof gland.
 
Hmm, I may think about losing the status unless you use it (WHY) and put a bigger panel in place of the existing, and maybe two smaller ones longitudinally either side of the Heki.

You can get REG that takes two cables to replace the existing, there is also the dish one that might take one for the team.

You can measure the approx from inside and subtract the Heki width.

I'll have 85w either side of the Heki on mine.
Roof is in dire need of a good clean

1742034543620.png
 
Pudsey Bear said:
Hmm, I may think about losing the status unless you use it (WHY) and put a bigger panel in place of the existing, and maybe two smaller ones longitudinally either side of the Heki.

You can get REG that takes two cables to replace the existing, there is also the dish one that might take one for the team.

You can measure the approx from inside and subtract the Heki width.

I'll have 85w either side of the Heki on mine.
Roof is in dire need of a good clean

View attachment 141084
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Yes the Status could go but it complicates things removing stuff. Its the width that will be the issue. I dont want to faff on trying to remove the existing panel either. Good idea about measuring inside though. Never thought of that. It will give me an idea before I can move the van Monday (long story). Ill go do it now.
 
Well following Kevs idea and measuring from inside these are rough measurements. Im glad I did it as there is no way the 140w Victron panels Off Grid solutions were suggesting way back would ever have fit as they are 68cm wide.

So I think it might be limited to 100-120w and possibly a flexible stick on panel which seem to be the thinner width ones.

The side the status aerial on would be better I think as its longer but it means running trunking across the roof to the existing solar panel roof gland where the controller is just below. I cant measure the other bit in front of the roof light until Monday but it might be too narrow. So the next task is finding the biggest panel that will fit.

Remember these are rough measurements taken from inside the van.

hank roof panels measurments from inside.png
 
This might work. Thoughts?

www.sunshinesolar.co.uk

120W 12V Sunshine Solar Flexible ETFE Range

This Sunshine Solar Flexible ETFE 120W 12V boasts ultra pure silicon delivering optimal power conversion. Thin, light and when fitted to the roof of a caravan or motorhome very aerodynamic. Light weight design combined with high efficiency cells and solar panel flexibility makes our latest ETFE...
www.sunshinesolar.co.uk
 
barryd said:
Well following Kevs idea and measuring from inside these are rough measurements. Im glad I did it as there is no way the 140w Victron panels Off Grid solutions were suggesting way back would ever have fit as they are 68cm wide.

So I think it might be limited to 100-120w and possibly a flexible stick on panel which seem to be the thinner width ones.

The side the status aerial on would be better I think as its longer but it means running trunking across the roof to the existing solar panel roof gland where the controller is just below. I cant measure the other bit in front of the roof light until Monday but it might be too narrow. So the next task is finding the biggest panel that will fit.

Remember these are rough measurements taken from inside the van.

View attachment 141085
Click to expand...
Keep it well away from the TV Ariel, partial shading will mess up the output and it's amazing how long a shadow can be when you're struggling for solar in the poor months/morning/evening.As I've already mentioned partial shading usually massively restricts the WHOLE panel from harvesting so going too big actually often makes things worse and a small panel will then work when a larger panel won't.
 
I think I read similar Merl regarding the flexible panels. However I reckon the 100w standard panels would fit if you get the same roof mounts as the one on my existing one with one at either end. A lot of them seem to be 53cm wide which might just fit.

Cheap as well. :D


These might be the right mounts. They might be better than the corner mounts as I think they will widen the footprint.
www.ebay.co.uk

LONG Solar Panel Side Mounting Brackets Caravan Motorhome Vehicle Roof BLACK | eBay

Enhance your solar panel installation with these top-quality ABS plastic brackets by Sudoo. Introducing Sudoo Solar Panel Mounting Brackets and a5-Year Warranty! Easily bond them to the surface using a suitable sealant for hassle-free installation.
www.ebay.co.uk
 
I always use corner mounts simply to stop water pooling so much, it has four ways to drain, the end mounts only have two.
 
Pudsey Bear said:
I always use corner mounts simply to stop water pooling so much, it has four ways to drain, the end mounts only have two.
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Not worried about that. It will depend on what fits and if the mounts are the same width as the panel (54cm) then that might be better. We can assume corner mounts might add 2 or 3cm each side which might make it too wide. I could fit two 100w to be fair :D All adding extra weight though and probably overkill for my needs.
 
mistericeman said:
Have you looked on bimble ....

They have a easily viewable size/output/price table

I've always found They are also great on price/service and quality .

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Thanks. They do a 150w flexible panel that would fit the long side but bloody hell! Its not cheap. I reckon a 100w standard panel will do. i wasnt even going to bother fitting one but at least it will just about match the new battery output.

 
barryd said:
Not worried about that. It will depend on what fits and if the mounts are the same width as the panel (54cm) then that might be better. We can assume corner mounts might add 2 or 3cm each side which might make it too wide. I could fit two 100w to be fair :D All adding extra weight though and probably overkill for my needs.
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Good point there on the width.
 
Pudsey Bear said:
Good point there on the width.
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Its a crap design really when you think about it. An 8m+ van and hardly any roof space mainly because of all of the roof lights. God knows why the bloke that fitted that panel in the one big space didn't fit a bigger one.
 
barryd said:
Its a crap design really when you think about it. An 8m+ van and hardly any roof space mainly because of all of the roof lights. God knows why the bloke that fitted that panel in the one big space didn't fit a bigger one.
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He knew it would piss you off, I'd still pull that one, or at least measure the space you'd have and just fit the largest one that'll fit.
 
Pudsey Bear said:
He knew it would piss you off, I'd still pull that one, or at least measure the space you'd have and just fit the largest one that'll fit.
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Nah. From what I have read they are an absolute pig to get off. Ill just fit whatever I can fit in addition.
 
Easy enough, you just need to get a piece of thin wire and use it like a cheese cutter, & no need to clean up if you're covering it with a bigger panel.
 
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