Solar panels - quantity discount?

Ordered it but what now?

As we are shortly going to France do some wilding so I had to order my panel. I've read what others have said (and I appreciate everybody's input) and decided to go for the 80w one from the German Ebay company at £127 incl postage. I'll let you know the result.

I am considering purchasing Maplins twin battery 16a regulator - hopefully that will be OK (unless of course you know otherwise?)

Do I need to use the specialist MC4 solar panel cable or can I use any that has sufficient sized conductors? If I can could any body please tell me what is the size of the cross sectional wiring per conductor that I will need? The cable run from the panel to the regulator will be around 3.5 metres and from the regulator to each of my 2 batteries around 1.5 metre.
 
Hello Rob ! :wave: Thank you for the pictures,that looks like a really good set up you've made,
Regards Stephen. :cool1:
 
Hi, Anybody looking for someone to fit solars, then I can highly recommend techno100. He did a great installation on our van. You can check out his work on motorroamers.co.uk. Or if you are in the Malton, North Yorks area then you are welcome to have a look.
Mike
 
curlytail said:
As we are shortly going to France do some wilding so I had to order my panel. I've read what others have said (and I appreciate everybody's input) and decided to go for the 80w one from the German Ebay company at £127 incl postage. I'll let you know the result.

I am considering purchasing Maplins twin battery 16a regulator - hopefully that will be OK (unless of course you know otherwise?)

Do I need to use the specialist MC4 solar panel cable or can I use any that has sufficient sized conductors? If I can could any body please tell me what is the size of the cross sectional wiring per conductor that I will need? The cable run from the panel to the regulator will be around 3.5 metres and from the regulator to each of my 2 batteries around 1.5 metre.
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Got to say the German company are quick - delivered in good condition within 2 days of ordering. Not tested it yet.
 
Techno100 said:
My pleasure. Seller is top notch reliable. Offer £69 to be sure of purchase. Ask for value reduction for import duty
eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace
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Thanks for this info techno100, I've allready earlier this year fitted twin 80watt panels with cheap controller, 2 extra 110amp batteriesand 1000watt invertor. So I've ordered one of these and got it for £68 delivered.

Thanks,
John.
 
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AdriaTwin said:
Interesting ?

Transparent solar panels for car windscreens | ETA
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Not at the moment. 1/5 the energy at 1/2 the price of a regular panel (at current)

A windscreen would probably produce 5-10W on a sunny day, so hardly worth having. But I guess it is at an angle and you can align it to face the sun. Still, by the time you've factored in the price and possibility of damage to the film(?) it doesn't seem much of a buy. As the article says it is trickle charge only, and that won't keep pace with motorhome accessories in the evening, but give it time and this technology could be worth a look in the future.
 
This could be very useful for small vehicles, such as mine with 2 roofvents (soon to be 3), with no space to fit a more conventional solar panel.

I'll be watching this one with interest.
 
Yes, see how the technology develops... at the moment if you want a trickle charge I think you'd be just as well off with a couple of those 15W panels from maplins on the dashtop, plugged into the cigarette lighter socket.
 
mikkidee said:
Hi, Anybody looking for someone to fit solars, then I can highly recommend techno100. He did a great installation on our van. You can check out his work on motorroamers.co.uk. Or if you are in the Malton, North Yorks area then you are welcome to have a look.
Mike
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Just read this, thanks Mike! I'm in Guernsey just now doing straight through 12hr days for WH Smiths new Funky Pigeon Greetings card operation LOL. I'll be back next Friday hopefully ? on my 12th day today and a bit tired.

BTW the panels I bought from the Newcastle seller TJNS were sent back for a full refund. I can NOT recommend them for quality /value. The best value just now are the German sourced ones. The Panels I fitted on Mike's are the £148.70 ones and are nearly sold out on ebay relative to the number originally available.
mikkidee-2-L.jpg
 
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trikerman said:
Thanks for this info techno100, I've allready earlier this year fitted twin 80watt panels with cheap controller, 2 extra 110amp batteriesand 1000watt invertor. So I've ordered one of these and got it for £68 delivered.

Thanks,
John.
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Well done John they wouldn't go below £69 for me.
I just paid over £16 import charges on my third one :-(
 
The cost will be passed on to potential customers in my case but even at £150 or more it would still be cheaper than buying from a dealer here by far
 
Techno100 said:
Well done John they wouldn't go below £69 for me.
I just paid over £16 import charges on my third one :-(
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I offered £66 and they came back with an ask of £68. It took just over a week to arrive. If you request an "adjusted" invoice you may avoid import duty. ;-):banana:

Mr B.
 
Recieved controller yesterday no import duty as they said it was only £30 worth in the parcel.
What a great piece of kit.

John.
 
Yes mine were all adjusted too but now and then they stick charges on and if you challenge it they simply ask to see your invoice so best to just cough up.
 
For a battery that size 80 watt is plenty but don't expect miracles from any panel in Winter.
I don't usually use 10 or 6 amp regulators so can't recommend one from experience as I either fit 2 or more panels or allow for future expansion.

This is quite good value if you want an LCD display and will allow an additional panel. If not required then a 10 amp can be under £20
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140611658...AX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_3084wt_698
 
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If you last 4 or 5 days as you say on a little 85 ah :scared: you will be absolutely fine with an 80 watt panel and will usually find that your battery is full by the time you get out of bed or mid morning
 
The first 2 are the same panel same seller different price. I have previously recommended the 1st in your list.

As for folk with battery banks, some like a home from home and run a microwave and hardrier etc requiring a LARGE inverter.
I have 2 110ah batteries but run a coolbox outside the van 24hrs a day in warm weather. I have a nice 22" TV and always my laptop drawing 40 watts.

Sikaflex does not need screws and what would you screw into? GRP/polystyrene??
It takes a superhuman effort(blood sweat tears and tools) to remove Sikaflex.

Somewhere on the forum I have posted pictures on how to do it all but where?
 
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