Solar panels - quantity discount?

They give a state of battery indication and an indication that charge is taking place or not. It wont tell you how much charge is being delivered or the battery voltage but those figures can be misleading anyway if the user does not understand when and what the readings ought to be.
 
Don't worry! I've had 4 from them and despite a cock up with an order they actually arrived within a week. They'll send you a tracking number tomorrow and delivery is GLS which is parceforce on this side of the water.
 
I use a 1000W inverter so I need at least two 110Ah batteries, hence I need two 80-90W solar panels to service them properly.

I agree with ***** that with only LED's and minimal usage one battery would be fine. I tend to run 40w laptop and at least one 25w fluo most of the time so the double battery gives me more flexibility as well as the chance to run a larger item for a short time.
 
delivery time

***** said:
Thanks Techno.
I have just ordered the 90W panel, just noticed afterwards del is 14 to 26 days! oops:blah: but not a problem as long as it comes ok
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Hello *****(?)

I ordered the 80w from that same supplier and it arrived in about 3 days:bow:

Ian


(i seem to remember meeting you both at Hayfield just over 2 years ago, am i correct?)
 
two 80 w solar panel

hi i am a new bie, i have just purchased two 80 w solar panel off the german company on ebay, i have a 115 w battery ,i hoping someone could tell me what else i have get to have have them fitted. i hope i am not repeating questions on her.

thanks in advance
 
Here is a simplyfied drawing of how to wire your panels, you will need a 20amp charge controller sikaflex adhesive, waterproof box with cable gland connector for taking wiring through roof. aluminium brackets and cable. connect your battery to the charge controller first have your solar panels covered with dust sheet or card board so no electricity is produced, connect solar panels last then remove cover from panels.http://


John.
 
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thanks

that's brilliant thank very much, one more question (i hope lol ) how many holes do i drill i roof or do i use the silkaflex to bond brakets to roof.

thank you very much
 
Just stick brackets to the roof with sikaflex, drill only roof for cable to run through.
I screwed my brackets to solar panel lifted the assembly on to roof marked the brackets on the roof then cleaned the marked area, added sikaflex to the same area then lifted panel assembly back and bedded it all down. Left it for 48 hours before I drove the motorhome. Don't forget to slide the cable gland roof entry box on to cables before you connect to your panel, then you can slide it over the cables and seal it to the roof with same sikaflex.

John.
 
trikerman said:
Here is a simplyfied drawing of how to wire your panels, you will need a 20amp charge controller sikaflex adhesive, waterproof box with cable gland connector for taking wiring through roof. aluminium brackets and cable. connect your battery to the charge controller first have your solar panels covered with dust sheet or card board so no electricity is produced, connect solar panels last then remove cover from panels.http://


John.
Click to expand...

What I am a bit foggy about is that the controller then seems to have an output for appliances etc.
At present my leisure battery has several cables attached to it. These are to feed the zig unit. receive charge when connected to hookup and receive charge from main van battery and alternator, but I'd be hard put to know exactly which wire does which. Would some or all of these wires need to be moved to the controller?
 
Duckrow said:
What I am a bit foggy about is that the controller then seems to have an output for appliances etc.
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These connections do not need to be used. They permit connection of 12v lights etc in a standalone installation of a solar panel and battery.

In a motorhome all that circuitry is already present, so you just need to connect the solar panel to the regulator (input) and to the leisure battery (output).

I am in the process of fitting a system to my 'van, and I have found that by removing the access cover behind the control panel there is an easy option to connect the negative connection to the vehicle earth, and the positive connection to the leisure battery wiring.

If you have a wiring diagram for your 'van, that will make things a lot clearer.

Make sure that you read the two following threads too

http://www.wildcamping.co.uk/forums/motorhome-knowledge-base/15039-make-your-own-solar-panel-brackets.html

http://www.wildcamping.co.uk/forums/motorhome-knowledge-base/15040-diy-solar-panel-brackets-installing-panels-part-ii-roof.html#post144014

Regards

Chris
 
***** said:
It looks like the wires go straight to the battery and not via the Zig.
If that would work OK and not interfere with the Zig charging it would be very nice and easy.(for me)
I was thinking of fitting a switch so that I could turn off the charge from the solar when it is on hook up.
I think the Zig has a solar input area, unfortunatley our van does not have the blue Zig it is a different charger.
In conclusion is it OK to wire straight to the battery via the control unit and fuses and a double pole switch.
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Hi Graham, I very rarely use hook up but when I have the solar disconnects it self from charging batteries, and vehicle charger takes over, thats how mine works with no switches fitted to solar side.

John.
 
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Duckrow said:
What I am a bit foggy about is that the controller then seems to have an output for appliances etc.
At present my leisure battery has several cables attached to it. These are to feed the zig unit. receive charge when connected to hookup and receive charge from main van battery and alternator, but I'd be hard put to know exactly which wire does which. Would some or all of these wires need to be moved to the controller?
Click to expand...

You leave all the original wiring as it is and run a seperate positive and negative frome your liesure battery to charge controller as in my example that I posted. hope this helps, it's very simple.

John.
 
*****

Bear in mind that the solar regulator monitors the voltage across the leisure battery. Therefore if the onboard charger powered from the mains hookup raises the battery voltage, when the solar regulator perceives the leisure battery to be fully charged it will cease to feed any charge from the panels. In effect, it switches itself off ...

Regards

Chris
 
watch the vids at the bottom, quite a good explanation

dylins said:
Have you guys seen these
>>>
PWM Solar Charge Controller for 40W 60W 80W 100W panel | eBay
>>>
cheap charge controllers with 3-stage charging
Click to expand...

I noticed the vids at the bottom of the advert and the LHS one gives a good explanation of why you need a regulator/controller

The vid on the RHS is for more advanced users i think?

Good find, pity i've just bought the Maplins one :idea:

Ian
 
120w panel

Hiya Guys... I have just paid £395 for a 120w kit (inc postage)... did I pay too much? Can anyone recomend where to get a heavy duty leisure battery from? I think i read Ebay was good. Maybe a second hand one from UPS of any national delivery companies. Any help is appreciated.
 
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