Steling Quartz fitting solar panel

masonst0rm
masonst0rm Forum Participant Posts: 12
edited March 2016 in Caravans #1

Has anyone fitted a solar panel to a Sterling Eccles Quartz caravan and can share info.. Idealy I would like to go without mains so what size solar panel do I need and what additional bits required, suggestions on how to fit and where best place to put including
how to get cables inside to the solar panel connection point near the battery box.

Comments

  • Unknown
    edited March 2016 #2
    This content has been removed.
  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #3

    There are many ways to skin a cat But this site has some good  basic plan not to far from what it. <<here>> 

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #4

    Try again

    There are many ways to skin a cat But this site has some good  basic plan not to far from what I did.

    <<here>>  

    The best way of getting the cables to the battery is via a hole in the roof.  Whether or not you are prepared to do that more or less defines if you can fit it yourself.  But if you are prepared then it is a question of working out the best route through
    the roof to your battery and this should be your first step.  In my case it was through a wardrobe as all the wiring is hidden.  Size is the question of the bigger the better within reason and depending on how strong your roof is.   Good luck my old van had
    a 135W panel and that kept up with demand.  Our new van I have fitted a 150W panel which kept the battery charged last weekend.  

    Finally consider how good is your battery and consider getting led lights if you don't already have them. 

     

  • Unknown
    edited March 2016 #5
    This content has been removed.
  • MrGarval
    MrGarval Forum Participant Posts: 120
    edited March 2016 #6

    Hi

    I camp a lot in the UK on sites with no electrics and have found the easiest way for me was to purchase a stand alone solar panel. I have a 160 watt fold up panel with built in regulator and it is just a matter of connecting (I use crokadile clips) to the
    battery and setting panel to face the sun. Works fine and we use tv. Also our battery is 110 ahr and in good condition.I also looked at fitting permanently but found this solution suited me and it is very simple.

     

     

  • masonst0rm
    masonst0rm Forum Participant Posts: 12
    edited April 2016 #7

    as your van is from the Swift group, just to add to my earlier post..

    ...if your van has a Sargent PSU it is likely that this will have a solar panel connection, our 2010 Swift Bolero MH had it all pre wired....

    up in an upper locker, there was a connection to receive the output from a solar regulator, with also a pre drilled hole (with gland) to allow the cable from the panel into the van....there was a small 'box' on the roof ready to receive the cable from the
    panel.

    so the cable runs from the panel. through the gland into the locker, this connects to a regulator (also sited in the locker), the  output from the reg connects to the pre wired cabling which runs down into slot P14 (from memory) in the back of the Sargent
    PSU.

    i am assuming that Swift caravans are set up as their MHs....

    checked the roof this weekend but can't see any pre drilled hole or gland on roof unfortunately..
    but Thanks for the comment

  • ABIPete
    ABIPete Forum Participant Posts: 88
    edited April 2016 #8

    HI, you could consider a semi flexible panel, it can be bonded directly to the roof. But it will probably be a permanent addition! They are much lighter 2 - 3kg against 9kg or more for a 100watt panel but more expensive.