solar setup

zeezee16

Guest
It seems a while since there was anything on about solar power, so here goes.
I am thinking about gatting into the modern age, and investing in a solar charging system.
At the moment I have 2x 110 amp batteries, charged via a split charge relay from the alternator. All my lights are led's, no shower/waterheater, fridge on gas when wilding, the tele is a 10.5" flat screen thingy, used maybe 2 hours a day at most, the only other things are the cold water pump which doesnt get used for long periods, and the Eberspacher heater, which always runs on low, and not at all in the good weather.
I need advice as what to get, (wattage size), and obviously a regulator.
I want to fit it my self, to keep the cost down, as money is scarce at the moment, (3 day week for the last 6 weeks).
There seems to be quite a lot of stuff on ebay, but not sure which is best.
Any ideas please.
Cheers, Pete
 
Hi Pete
I invested in a solar panel this year, since having it I have found out quite a lot worth thinking about. So some thoughts (all figures are rough and for demo only)

Solar Panels work best facing the sun, Mine is flat of the roof so never works at its best therfore the rated output is never reached.

Solar panels are quite heavy, to get a really efective output that will charge in the uk you need about 80 watts minumum, given point 1 increase that to 120watts. Thats quite a large panel or 2 bolted to the top of ya van.

The weight / diesel / power output may not make having them worthwhile.

Me I have a 15w panel, its still quite big and heavy 60cm / 20 cm and at its best will only push 1/2 amp. This is enough in summer to compensate for LED lights and maybe the 12v telly but in winter all it really does is to keep the battery conditioned when not in use once its charged.

Would I do it again, yes it was £80 quid well spent as in summer in france it will keep us from having to hook up at least an xtra 2-3 days which will pay for itself within a few weeks travelling.
 
I have 2x 110ah panels on my van, and I would say go for the biggest output you can afford and fit.
 
.:confused:

peepee.. you roof aint big enough for the size you need :eek:

regards :rolleyes:
aj
 
We have a 70 watt panel secured to the roof and only one leisure battery. This is sufficient to meet all our needs in all but the greyest of UK weather (but we usually try to winter in sunnier climes). With two leisure batteries I guess you should have few problems.
 
i have a 80watt fitted and like others say the most ive seen my gauge at is 2amp charging and that was at midday middle of summer and not for long (waste of time) im now going to fit 3 125amp batteries as apart from wilding i go to rallies for 3 or 4 days at a time with no mains.
 
mickymoor said:
i have a 80watt fitted and like others say the most ive seen my gauge at is 2amp charging and that was at midday middle of summer and not for long (waste of time) im now going to fit 3 125amp batteries as apart from wilding i go to rallies for 3 or 4 days at a time with no mains.
Click to expand...

I don't know much about electricity but I do know that if you are only getting a maximum charge of 2 amps then something is wrong somewhere. Our 70 watt panel produces 2 amps on very average days and a hell of a lot more when the sun is out - maybe you should get your system checked.
 
We have two 113ah batteries and two 40W solar panels bought from from this ebay seller: Brand New 40w PV Solar Panel - Cheapest On Ebay on eBay (end time 20-Dec-09 16:21:03 GMT)

Had no problems with ebay transaction and panels were delivered within 2 days.

We fitted the new batteries and solar panels ourselves in September so not had a whole year's experience yet. We are pleased with the progress so far and, even this far north in winter, have found the set up adequate for 2 - 3 nights off grid, with TV on inverter for 2 hrs/night, gas water/heating, LED lighting.

We bought two 40W panels instead of a single 80W so we could have one at a slight slope (up the overcab rise) to catch the rays better (if van parked in right direction!).

Hope this helps. Just ask if need more info - have recorded panel fitting process (with pics and list of bits required).

Bev
 
John H said:
I don't know much about electricity but I do know that if you are only getting a maximum charge of 2 amps then something is wrong somewhere. Our 70 watt panel produces 2 amps on very average days and a hell of a lot more when the sun is out - maybe you should get your system checked.
Click to expand...

The conversion of Watts to Amps is governed by the equation Amps = Watts/Volts, 80 watts @ 12v theoretically will provide 6.6 amps, mine 15 watts / 12 = 1.5 amps I have never seen mine above 1/2 amp. The max output requires a very sunny day with the panel facing directly at the sun with no shadows on the panel. Its impossible to achieve if the panel is fixed flat to your van. As with my previous post I think you need to increase the number of panels by at least 50% to get your desired output.

There is a satalite dish on the market that doubles as a solar panel. When the TV is off it will track the sun, when the TV is on its fixed on Astra 2 which is roughtly south east which still gives a good electrical output. Of course its expensive :D

I know some people swear by not fixing the solar panel to the van and moving it manually during the day, tbh its a good idea if you really need the maximum output. There are also frames you can fix to your van that allow you to lift either the left or right hand sides of the panel. You need only park one way or the other and lift the panel side to get a much better output.

Having the panel facing the sun is the single biggest factor to get max output:)
 
With solar panels big is definitely better, also there are different types (theres plenty of websites that explain the differences) I think my panel is 80 watt, it was fitted by mistake to my van instead of another new van of the same model so I got it for free :D:D. I measured it & it looks the same as an 80 watt panel, the best I've had is 5.5 amps showing & even in dull conditions it shows about 1 amp. I only have a 85 amp leisure battery but we find it fine for all our needs, biggest battery I could fit in the space would be about 110 amp but haven't bothered as the current one has always been enough.
 
We got our current van with 2x110w panels and a 230ah battery. We only got it in the autumn but have seen over a charge of 9amps when the sun came out. In summer with the sun overhead we should be self sufficient, especially as I have now upgraded most the bulbs to LEDs.
 
Kontiki said:
With solar panels big is definitely better, also there are different types (theres plenty of websites that explain the differences) I think my panel is 80 watt, it was fitted by mistake to my van instead of another new van of the same model so I got it for free :D:D. I measured it & it looks the same as an 80 watt panel, the best I've had is 5.5 amps showing & even in dull conditions it shows about 1 amp. I only have a 85 amp leisure battery but we find it fine for all our needs, biggest battery I could fit in the space would be about 110 amp but haven't bothered as the current one has always been enough.
Click to expand...

Those figures tie in with my experience - so if anyone is getting only 2 amps at mid-day on a sunny summer day then they definitely need to get their system checked. We generate sufficient power to wildcamp in the UK in November (can't comment on December or January as we are generally in the Mediterannean and generating power at a faster rate than we can use it).
 
Maplins are currently offering a free standing, folding 60W solar panel for £199. More hastle then a roof mounted but more efficient as you can point it at the sun. Seems a reasonable price too...
 
Problem with the free standing ones is you need to be parked up somewhere where you can set it up, if you are wildcamping you can't leave it set up if you decide to go off. I don't think these are waterproof either so you will have to put it away at night in case it rains. I had a look at one when we were in Maplins, it was a big box & quite heavy so you have to think about where you are going to store it.
 
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