Where large solar panel

barnybg

Guest
Anyone have or know where i can buy a good priced Solar panel 12v around 70 to 100 w (is it?) as i wildcamp in some wild places for long periods and like to use the laptop etc.
I would also like to know a good make or company,i watch EBAY and although in Bulgaria at the moment,postage to here is no problem unless i pick up,Greece is also an option to buy from,so any ideas.
I have 2 x 110 batteries also a 75amp
Do anyone else have a set up ?a suitecase type or fixed? If fixed ,where and how ?What will i need and how does it 'switch off' as i will be in heavy sun and sunlight for 12 hours or more in summer.
 
Last edited:
I purchased my solar panel from Bright Light Solar
along with a regulator and Gel battery. The guy who owns the company
travels all over the world installing these things and was a good help when I enquired.
Fitting is relatively easy if your good at DIY.
Fit the largest panel you can afford and with your 2x 110 batteries should have no problems at all.
Panels are not cheap anywhere, I enquired in Spain and Portugal a few years ago and no diffeence to back home in UK.
Good luck.

Happy Camping:)
 
Hi, got 2 x 60w panels plus regulator off ebay over 3 years ago fitted them my self work just great never have to plug in, two 110 batteries and a switchable link to my starter battery to keep it up when parked, chant go wrong Bob
 
I can recomend the guys I bought my panel from.
I didn't buy the charger but at the time a 100w for £287.50 looked good.
Fitted myself without too much trouble!

Here is the quote.

Electrical Power Transmission QUOTE

M & R Controls (UK) Ltd
Unit 7, Saw Pit Industrial Estate,
Tibshelf, Derbyshire, DE55 5NH
martin@mandrcontrols.co.uk
DATE: JULY 13, 2009

Tel 01773 875795 Fax 01773 590792
REF - 1122MW130709

TEL – 01773 875795
FAX – 01773 590792
TO Nick Morley


SALESPERSON JOB PAYMENT TERMS DUE DATE
Martin Solar Net Monthly Ex-Stock Build

QTY DESCRIPTION UNIT PRICE LINE TOTAL

1 SM100 – 100 watt 12 volt mono-crystalline solar panel
with 500mm cable and connectors £287.50 Inc vat
1 10 mtr cable set (tri-rated) with connectors £28.75 Inc vat
1 MR20/2/12 solar charge controller, 20 amp, 2 x inputs £40.25 Inc vat

Free carriage

The prices include vat at 15%
Full vat invoice will be included





Quotation prepared by: M J Worthington_______________________________________ _______________________________ ___
This is a quotation on the goods named, subject to the conditions noted below: (Describe any conditions pertaining to these prices and any additional terms of the agreement. You may want to include contingencies that will affect the quotation.)
To accept this quotation, sign here and return: __________________________________________________ ___________________


Martin J Worthington
M & R Controls (UK) Ltd
Unit 7
Saw Pit Industrial Estate
Tibshelf
Derbyshire
DE55 5NH

Tel 01773 875795 Fax 01773 590792
 
fitting solar

Thanks guys,anymore ?

To the diy-ers how hard and WHERE do you fit these solar panels ?as if on the roof,how do you fit them WITHOUT drilling or screwing into roof of vehicle.
How did you do it ?
 
Make yourself 4x alluminium angle brackets and bolt to frame of solar panel. Mark the position of the fixed brackets on the roof, close to where you want the cable to enter through the roof. Use siko flex adhesive to secure to roof.
A plastic cable entry box can then be positioned over the hole for the cable entry, and glued in the same way. 24hr setting time so put a little weight on the panel so it doesn't move.
Pass the panel cable through the roof into a cuboard over the battery position, then fit regulator. Cable from regulator to batteries, connect up, job done. Put silicone around the cable entry box when set.
Take your time, check everything 2-3 times for positioning before starting/drilling.

aireandsun.co.uk/index.php?page=2&category=Solar+System+Kits -

I used these people for most things, mail order, very helpfull.

Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Bill.
 
Further to Pioneers explanation here is a couple of photos of mine, not the pretiest installation but functional and water tight. Main thing I was told is don't screw the panel to the roof as it will expand and shrink when it gets hot in the sun and leak also you need an airgap underneath the panel. My cables enter a little way away from the panel as its in goes into the wardrobe here.

Picture133.jpg


Picture132.jpg


Hope this helps :)
 
fitting solar panel

Many thanks peeps,and pics help out more than explanation,could i put cable through van -side ?or it must go through roof?whats that cable going into (i mean whats it called) and that glue is it flexable ?bearing in mind i'm in Bulgaria, i need to find something similar,will no nails do ?and lastly what size panels or watts ? have you ?1 or x 2 ?.
Thanks again from someone who wants to get it right first time!
 
barnybg said:
Many thanks peeps,and pics help out more than explanation,could i put cable through van -side ?or it must go through roof?whats that cable going into (i mean whats it called) and that glue is it flexable ?bearing in mind i'm in Bulgaria, i need to find something similar,will no nails do ?and lastly what size panels or watts ? have you ?1 or x 2 ?.
Thanks again from someone who wants to get it right first time!
Click to expand...

I can see no reason why you could not put the cable through the side. The thing is called a Cable Roof Grommet CABLE ROOF GROMMET - CARAVAN - MOTORHOME - BOAT on eBay (end time 10-Feb-10 15:43:08 GMT)

You must use a good glue or you will get leaks, yes its flexible and strong. I also use primer on the aluminium to ensure a good bond. I have tried to pull mine off of the roof without success..

No don't use No Nails :eek::eek:

Sika 252 is widly thought to be the best glue for this
Solar Panel Bonding Kit

As for the panel, I only have a single 15w panel, this is not enough in winter but is enough to run all our needs in summer so long as we are careful with the TV.

Enjoy
 
Last edited:
Do not use "No Nails", use only sika adhesive, if you ever remove the solar panel, I'm afraid the brackets will have to stay put, it's that good.
I have a 55watt solar panel,and 2 x 85amp/h leisure batteries.
Sorry can't take a photo, my ladder is elsewhere.
Don't put the cable through the van side, it will look a right numpty job. IMO. But that's up to you.
Yes and do leave a gap between roof and panel. I used 75mm x 25mm x 75mm long, angled alluminium for the brackets and S/Steel setscrews,nuts and washers to fix. Another thing, clean the area of the roof for the brackets with Meths to remove any wax, silt etc before fixing.
Finaly get the largest Panel you can afford.

Cheers,
Bill.
 
Last edited:
Unibond (No more Nails) is only suitable where one or both surfaces are porous, so go with one of the Sika epoxy mastics designed to be used as a flexible adhesive as well as a sealant.
 
Thank you All,just gotta make my mind up on what size to go for 'Wilding' and if the regulator has a split system that charges the power batteries and automatically off/on for the starter battery ?
Thanks again, you helpfull bunch :)
 
We can supply you 70-100W/12V mono-crystalline silicon flexional solar panel

Hi Barny:

Here we can custom-make the 12V & 70-100W of mono-crystalline silicon flexional solar panel.This panel is with block diode built into and also with shadow tolerance.This panel is with water-proof and could be properly bended.Do you have the size requirements? If yes please kindly send your full requirements to sale@solar-family.com so that we could forward you the full specifications on this panel for your reference.Anyway please also mention your target price & possible order quantity. For more details on our company & products,please kindly visit our website at any time.

Anything we can do,please don't hesitate to contact us at any time.

Tks

Lily
 
barnybg said:
Well a big HELLO CHINA ,hope you are well. :)
Click to expand...

A long way to go for a warranty job:D but could be a great trip.
Welcome on board owd China;) (cntopsolar)
I,ll make a Yorky yet:D

On a more serious note, have we got any members coming in your direction that can help? Maybe bring one or two things over for you? Sika adhesive, hardener, alluminium brackets, set screws, cable, regulator etc.
Worth a try if your stuck. Maybe a little help when they arrive?

Happy Camping:)
Bill.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who viewed this discussion (Total:0)

Back
Top