Fitted 100 watt solar panel

Neckender

Neckender

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I've just completed the installation of a 100 watt solar panel to our Tribute 650, so we are virtually not relying on hook up anymore,

100 watt panel £245 ebay
10amp controller £17 ebay
10 metres of cable with waterproof connections £14 ebay
plastic entry cover with gland nut £6-50 ebay
sika flex 252 £22 ebay

total £284-50 plus my time

John.
 
How long is payback on saved electricity, compared to a generator, any ideas?
 
trikerman said:
I've just completed the installation of a 100 watt solar panel to our Tribute 650, so we are virtually not relying on hook up anymore,

100 watt panel £245 ebay
10amp controller £17 ebay
10 metres of cable with waterproof connections £14 ebay
plastic entry cover with gland nut £6-50 ebay
sika flex 252 £22 ebay

total £284-50 plus my time

John.
Click to expand...

Sounds great John, its nice when you see the charge light come on after fitting it :)
 
fugglestick said:
How long is payback on saved electricity, compared to a generator, any ideas?
Click to expand...

much quicker than a genny at around the same price....
its charging as long as the sun shines, and even a bit when it isnt, even when you aint with the van. would you leave your genny unattended ?
plus there are no ongoing costs unlike a genny.
 
The only advantage with the genny, is the 2Kva or so it produces, and its versatility. A 100 watts is not usable as 100watts as such, other than a charging amount whereas a genny can power a lot more, and you can use it more or less any time if wild camping, doesn't matter if your parked under trees, also can power another van in an emergency, and jump start the engine battery if necessary, and use it at home, or lend it...pros and cons for both. Downside is as you say, gennys walk very easily...
 
We were away in the van yesterday, had the deisel heating on all day when we went to bed early hours sunday morning 2am I checked the batteries and we had used 1/4 of the power according to the vans digital display. We woke up 9am and it was quite sunny, I checked display and was showing fully charged.

John.
 
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defitzi

trikerman said:
I've just completed the installation of a 100 watt solar panel to our Tribute 650, so we are virtually not relying on hook up anymore,

100 watt panel £245 ebay
10amp controller £17 ebay
10 metres of cable with waterproof connections £14 ebay
plastic entry cover with gland nut £6-50 ebay
sika flex 252 £22 ebay

total £284-50 plus my time

John.
Click to expand...
yep they really do work-I have three circa 70 80 one on each campervan and 1 for my boat but they could be transferable too).
 
Solar is the best you can get: no noice, no smells...
And sunlight is free :)
But.....WHERE is the d*** sun nowadays :mad::eek: ?
 
Solar v's gennie ? payback !

I thought the new type panels didn't need SUN,just light,as for payback compared to a gennie..........no comparison is there
A gennie is that price or more,it costs £5 + for 5 lts of fuel that lasts X amount of time,you have to dangerously store the flammable liquid,it smells from said liquid or fumes from exhaust,its loud ,its not environmentally friendly (if thats what your into) you have to watch it as it can and WILL go walkies,where does it work when it's raining ?it has to keep dry ?You cant just 'drive off' if need be !!
How many fors compared to againsts !!!
 
Just back from a Kart meeting, Friday to Sunday. No sun, so if I did have solar panels, then I would have very little input to charge my 2 X 110A/h batteries. Had 4 baked potatoes for lunch today, cooked in the microwave. I have a 2Kw inverter but absolutely no chance. My Kipor IG2000 did this no problem. 20 minutes for a 700w microwave.

Its what you want out of your energy needs and there is no way solar could have provided me with my requirements
 
shortcircuit said:
Just back from a Kart meeting, Friday to Sunday. No sun, so if I did have solar panels, then I would have very little input to charge my 2 X 110A/h batteries. Had 4 baked potatoes for lunch today, cooked in the microwave. I have a 2Kw inverter but absolutely no chance. My Kipor IG2000 did this no problem. 20 minutes for a 700w microwave.

Its what you want out of your energy needs and there is no way solar could have provided me with my requirements
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Not sure I would go to all that expense and agro then put up with the petrol smell and noise just for 4 baked potatoes, guess you must love your baked potatoes ;)

A tip about them is to part cook them at home, wrap in cooking foil and put in fridge. You can then finish them in MWave oven, real oven or on BBQ.
 
What agro and what smells?

The generator has a fuel cap with a valve to close air off to the fuel tank, thus eliminating petrol fumes. Like all engines that have been run, including your motorhome engine, there is a period when it cools down and there is a slight odour.

Agro? used sensibly there is no agro only with those that have some unfounded preconceived opinions.

What I was pointing out is the bigger picture and taking no sides, that you need to establish your energy needs and not come up with flippant points as to why you do not find one means better than another
 
shortcircuit said:
What agro and what smells?

The generator has a fuel cap with a valve to close air off to the fuel tank, thus eliminating petrol fumes. Like all engines that have been run, including your motorhome engine, there is a period when it cools down and there is a slight odour.

Agro? used sensibly there is no agro only with those that have some unfounded preconceived opinions.

What I was pointing out is the bigger picture and taking no sides, that you need to establish your energy needs and not come up with flippant points as to why you do not find one means better than another
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My post was tongue in cheek, Chill out :D
 
Well now that I've fitted solar panel I have both, as I also Have a genny that I brought 5 years ago, but only ever used it Once, i'ts now sat at the back of our garage. I'ts horses for courses what suits one doesn't allways suit some one else.

John.
 
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Solar ?

I really think that some members need to research more on the new type solar panels that only need light sorry i have to mention this ,as i keep reading people harping on about ... no sun !
Once fitted (a big enough panel or panels) just like your gennie 900,1200 or 2400 monsters, are just as good if power is saved plus extra power direct,do you run your gennie constant ?i doubt it,i 'd like to mention that older couples cant even lift the gennies used by many,alone lug it in/out and away from van,then theres the storage of extra fuel petrol,for the things,the fumes (from filling and dribbling) and running,the noise,waiting for it to cool down,trying to start it,the cost,the running cost,theft ?sheer size of it,where do you store the monster !
A simple solution,if you really think it needed is a small gennie 900 say, and solar panel(s) on the roof with 2 batteries.
Probably never use the gennie again ! unless you want to run a small house on 240 v.
 
We fitted two new batteries and 2 x 40W solar panels to our van last autumn. Total cost was just under £350 - also included wind deflector volt/ammeter and all roof fixings, cables etc.

Have started a blog (on this site) of the whole procedure to try to help others thinking of "going solar". Blog not finishished yet, but have published what we've got so far.

bevdrew
 
So is there or is there not panels you can get that charge just by light. If (and its a big if) I go full timing Im not so worried about power in the summer but I am a bit about the winter.

Plus if there is such a thing where do you get it and whos up for fitting it for me as I cant do it. Cant even get on the roof!

Cheers
BD
 
Had two 85w panels on the roof for a while and never got close to running the batteries down despite SWMBO using every electrical appliance known to man.
Forgotten how to use a hook up:D
 
oily said:
Had two 85w panels on the roof for a while and never got close to running the batteries down despite SWMBO using every electrical appliance known to man.
Forgotten how to use a hook up:D
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At what time of the year were you using your MH?

Believe that panels do not now need a lot of sunlight but have yet to find a link to a supplier.

In October spoke to a lad at an aires with his brand new MH and he told me about all his solar power and how he was self sufficient. After 3 days he told me he was getting a generator when he got home as he had virtually no charge. He had lived in France so new what to expect in sunshine and there was just not enough.
 
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