Hank the Tanks Dodgy battery and solar system

[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.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Same here I'm afraid Barry.

 

[exwindsurfer]

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

Flexible panel are sh:t Barry .They don't last very long.

 

[barryd]

Flexible panel are sh:t Barry .They don't last very long.

Ok thanks. Thats that settled then. We should be ok with a 100w standard one I think. Maybe a 120 if I can find one 54cm width.

 

[exwindsurfer]

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

A cheese wire and yiu would have it off in seconds Barry lolol

 

[exwindsurfer]

As you can see Barry I have two small 295 watts of solar lololol I did have to cover one of the sky light but it still vents

 

[merl]

As you can see Barry I have two small 295 watts of solar lololol I did have to cover one of the sky light but it still vents

Fcuk off Geoff you show off

 

[exwindsurfer]

Fcuk off Geoff you show off

Pmsl

 

[exwindsurfer]

Something I said Merl lololol

 

[barryd]

As you can see Barry I have two small 295 watts of solar lololol I did have to cover one of the sky light but it still vents

Bloody hell! thats a solar farm! What are you running in there? A stack of Marshall Amps? Now theres a thought.

 

[exwindsurfer]

Bloody hell! thats a solar farm! What are you running in there? A stack of Marshall Amps? Now theres a thought.

Plus I can tilt them up to thing angle so sun in the winter is no bother.

 

[barryd]

Plus I can tilt them up to thing angle so sun in the winter is no bother.

Only ever seen one van do that and it was in Tenerife of all places. Impressive. Not a requirement for me though, come late September or October I go looking for hookup!

 

[merl]

Something I said Merl lololol

Nah, something you did. They are brilliant mate and I'm well gel.
What Geoff's not mentioned yet is that he tilts em electrically from the cab

 

[trevskoda]

You have lots of room up there for two extra panels, just link the wires up to old main panel and then buy a good mppt regulator.

 

[barryd]

You have lots of room up there for two extra panels, just link the wires up to old main panel and then buy a good mppt regulator.

Is that aimed at me Trev? Not sure I have. Some little ones perhaps. I think after researching the max size I will be able to fit is 100w. The only ones that are 54cm wide above that are flexible stick on ones which we have ruled out. 120w -150w are generally 67cm. Too wide. I could possibly stick 2 x 100w or 2 x 80 up I guess. I think one will be enough. two might look neater though.

 

[trevskoda]

Is that aimed at me Trev? Not sure I have. Some little ones perhaps. I think after researching the max size I will be able to fit is 100w. The only ones that are 54cm wide above that are flexible stick on ones which we have ruled out. 120w -150w are generally 67cm. Too wide. I could possibly stick 2 x 100w or 2 x 80 up I guess. I think one will be enough. two might look neater though.

100 watts is fine added to what you have, im running 200w and a votronic 250 mppt unit into 2 90ah lead acids, runs a fridge and lights overnight, thats the longest i have ever stayed.

 

[exwindsurfer]

100 watts is fine added to what you have, im running 200w and a votronic 250 mppt unit into 2 90ah lead acids, runs a fridge and lights overnight, thats the longest i have ever stayed.

I think with what I've got on roof + batteries I'd last best part of two weeks with out charging so nowt to worry about lol

 

[barryd]

I think with what I've got on roof + batteries I'd last best part of two weeks with out charging so nowt to worry about lol

Thats interesting. I was expecting you to say you could stay off grid without charging all year round with that capacity. You must be heavy users though surely (And I dont mean fat bastuds ). It confirms what I have been saying from the start of this thread. We clearly are not. Even with the one new battery and one panel last summer we managed a month off grid with no charge other than the solar near Salcombe middle of last summer and on the old van with 1 x 100w and 1 x AGM 120 April to September we never really had an issue long term off grid at all. So we clearly were not too far off last year. In theory doubling battery and solar capacity for us should be more than enough.

 

[barryd]

A few observations. My internal measurements were wrong. Its going to be too tight for even a 100w panel down the shorter side behind the roof gland for the existing panel I think and it will be the length that is too long. The cabling from the roof gland on that side restricts some length and the overlap on the roof light restricts some width. Also at the very back of the van the roof slopes slightly up so its not flat right to the back. As best I could measure from the roof gland cable to where the roof starts to curve up at the back is 115cm. The panel I found is 120cm but then you have to allow for the brackets. However what I did discover is the distance between the current panel and the back of the roof light is actually 57cm so about the same width as the side so you could fit a 100w panel directly between the current panel and the rear roof light across the roof and length wont be an issue there. It was really flipping awkward on unstable steps with just my head over the top with Michelle holding the ladder but I think I got it right. The only other alternative is the other side. I think you could get it far enough from that Aerial to avoid shade but remember, its spring, summer and autumn use for us anyway.

The arrows in red across the van show where I think a 100w panel might fit. It will be tight and it might restrict opening the rear roof light fully but it might be the best place for it.

Few more pics attached. Yeah I know. the roof is minging. Working on that.