Solar Panel - How many amps?

[Kontiki]

How much should I expect to get max. out of a 130 watt solar panel, on my last van I had a 80 maybe 85 watt panel & I could easily get 4 amps occasionally up to 5. I am down in Spain at the moment on an aire at Sant Feliu de Guliox with nice bright sunshine, the best I have seen from the 130 watt panel I have is 3,5 amps but that was after manoeuvring the van into the best position. A couple of days back in France I was struggling with the batteries as they were down to 12.1 volts mid evening (I think they are 2 x 90 amp Varta [I think] ) Not sure how good the batteries are but they shouldn't be more than 4 years old. I know that they could need replacing but think they aren't getting enough charge.

BTW does anybody know where to get solar panels at a decent price down in the south of Spain? There used to be a Dutch guy, met him a couple of times who used to travel along the coast in a truck installing panels on motorhomes.

 

[Bigpeetee]

I'm not getting much of a charge from my 80w panel at this time of year, but that's on the North Wales coast AND we haven't seen much sun for a while!!

Maybe time for 24hrs in a campsite!!

 

[bill scouse]

hi kontiki the dutchmans name is bert, and his spanish mobile no is 649 051 420. Not sure if number is still valid as ive had it a few years.

 

[BGT180]

How much should I expect to get max. out of a 130 watt solar panel, on my last van I had a 80 maybe 85 watt panel & I could easily get 4 amps occasionally up to 5. I am down in Spain at the moment on an aire at Sant Feliu de Guliox with nice bright sunshine, the best I have seen from the 130 watt panel I have is 3,5 amps but that was after manoeuvring the van into the best position. A couple of days back in France I was struggling with the batteries as they were down to 12.1 volts mid evening (I think they are 2 x 90 amp Varta [I think] ) Not sure how good the batteries are but they shouldn't be more than 4 years old. I know that they could need replacing but think they aren't getting enough charge.

BTW does anybody know where to get solar panels at a decent price down in the south of Spain? There used to be a Dutch guy, met him a couple of times who used to travel along the coast in a truck installing panels on motorhomes.

I have had a 130w panel for nearly 5 years fixed on the roof of formerly an Elddis Autoquest 180 and now a Rapido 924F. In summer I can get up to 8 amps from the sun high in the sky. Yesterday in sunlight at Lincoln it was 1.3 amps input and leisure batteries showed 13.6 and vehicle battery 13.0v. Only in the depths of winter after heavy battery use has it been necessary to charge them. I have a battery master so the vehicle battery is also chargerd. Previously had 2 x 96Ah batteries but now have deep cycle Trojan 6v linked to provide 12v and 215Ah. I suspect it may be the angle of the panel to the height of the sun which is limiting your imput. We are off to Spain in 10 days so I'll see how it is there

 

[Deleted member 8180]

The angle of the panel makes a big difference during the winter. I have mine on hinges so I can aim them. Like so:

 

[Kontiki]

Can't do much about the angle as it's not possible to access the panel, there is only a small roof light next to it. I think it is the polycrystalline type looking at it my last van had a mono panel, going from experience I know that the mono one would be easily giving 4 amps in this sunshine but appreciate the angle does have some effect. I did notice that the roof bars can cast a bit of a shadow if I'm not careful which way I'm facing, any shadow really reduces output.

Might give Bert a try when we get further down to the area where he is, that is if he is still around.

BTW the weather here is hot & sunny (thought you might like to know) had to get the suncream out. If you are passing this way Sant Feliu de Guixols there is free wifi from the town, the aire is ok, free to stay with free emptying & water.