Hank the Tanks Dodgy battery and solar system

[barryd]

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

on the far side because of the existing panel roof gland.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

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

 

[barryd]

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

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.

 

[barryd]

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.

 

[barryd]

This might work. Thoughts?

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

 

[merl]

Long skinny panels seem to be the stick on types though generally.

My experience with the semi flexibles was like many others....ie pretty crap. I think if you pay for a big name brand semi flexible you'll have a better chance of longevity and decent output BUT that's just what I've read.

 

[merl]

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

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.

 

[barryd]

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.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Photonic-Universe-monocrystalline-charging-motorhome/dp/B00PX63K58?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A2PPJZ27RJ59I5

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

Pardon our interruption...

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I always use corner mounts simply to stop water pooling so much, it has four ways to drain, the end mounts only have two.

 

[barryd]

I always use corner mounts simply to stop water pooling so much, it has four ways to drain, the end mounts only have two.

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 All adding extra weight though and probably overkill for my needs.

 

[mistericeman]

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 .

https://www.bimblesolar.com/panelcompare

 

[barryd]

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 .

https://www.bimblesolar.com/panelcompare

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.

https://www.bimblesolar.com/SpectraLitePro-150W

 

[Pudsey Bear]

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 All adding extra weight though and probably overkill for my needs.

Good point there on the width.

 

[barryd]

Good point there on the width.

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.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

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.

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.

 

[barryd]

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.

Nah. From what I have read they are an absolute pig to get off. Ill just fit whatever I can fit in addition.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

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.

 

[barryd]

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.

Hmm. I love those words "Easy enough"

I think Rob had to do something similar recently and it sounded like a nightmare to me.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Skills need to be learned to be fair, and this starts with the first simple job you do, then the next job builds on the skills of the first, most are easy enough, the more you do the more you learn just as you did when you decided to get into IT, you had to learn a lot then it was a matter of figuring stuff out and most stuff get better as you progress, I was well daunted starting my self build as the thread on facts shows, but I though WTF how hard can it be, Hmm quite actually, but I built it with help from the SBMCCl forum peeps like Peter (Listerdiesel) on the sparky stuff the rest just requires a long coat of looking at.

 

[barryd]

Skills need to be learned to be fair, and this starts with the first simple job you do, then the next job builds on the skills of the first, most are easy enough, the more you do the more you learn just as you did when you decided to get into IT, you had to learn a lot then it was a matter of figuring stuff out and most stuff get better as you progress, I was well daunted starting my self build as the thread on facts shows, but I though WTF how hard can it be, Hmm quite actually, but I built it with help from the SBMCCl forum peeps like Peter (Listerdiesel) on the sparky stuff the rest just requires a long coat of looking at.

Its not so much that Kev is my physical ability to do a lot of practical stuff. The Arthritis in my knees, hands and the facet joints in my back are really detrimental to doing most motorhome jobs and going up steps or a ladder is asking for trouble. I think you need to be small and wiry with the dexterity of a Squirrel for working inside vans as well. You can guarantee what ever you need access to will be buried deep under a locker or in a tiny cavity somewhere.