Fitting a Solar panel to a Lunar Clubman

ABIPete
ABIPete Forum Participant Posts: 88
edited December 2016 in Parts & Accessories #1

Hi all, Does a 2016 Lunar Clubman have a connection point for a 100 watt solar panel in the power supply controller/fusebox? Otherwise I will connect it directly to the battery via a MPPT solar controller. Thanks

Comments

  • CBRBlackbird
    CBRBlackbird Forum Participant Posts: 184
    100 Comments
    edited December 2016 #2

    There is a connection in the main control/fuse panel. You will still need the solar panel controller.

    By using that connection rather than direct to the battery, the charge voltage/current will show on the Lunar panel above the door.

  • ABIPete
    ABIPete Forum Participant Posts: 88
    edited December 2016 #3

     Thanks for that CBRBlackbird. I only got the caravan in November and the dealer was not able to pass on the hand book so has supplied one for a 2017 model!. It is surprising how many things are different. I forgot to ask the dealer (Lunar) about this when I had some work done on it just before Christmas, now everyone is closed until next year!

  • StinkyPete78
    StinkyPete78 Forum Participant Posts: 25
    edited April 2017 #4

    You can get a 2016 handbook for the Clubman via Google on a PDF doc and print it out.

  • ABIPete
    ABIPete Forum Participant Posts: 88
    edited April 2017 #5

    Thanks Pete, I had rather a brain fade with this one. The van is 2013 not 16!!!. I blame getting old for it. I have since found that it has a totally different power controller to the later ones and does not have a solar input. I have only now been able to fit the solar panel as I have been rather unwell for 3 months. It is all installed and I just need to make a couple of connections for the battery and then it will be up and running.

  • GlosJive
    GlosJive Forum Participant Posts: 80
    edited April 2017 #6

    We have a solar panel mounted on the roof, but feel the need to add a second panel to aid the topping up of the battery.  At the moment I have the second solar panel feeding directly to the battery.  Has anyone connected a second panel via the main controller/fuse panel?  The second panel is one that stands on the floor.

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2017 #7

    If the combined output from the solar panels is less than than the fuse in the main panel  

    Connecting a solar pannel via the main controller does not remove the need for a solar controller, it just means you don't connect direct to the battery. So it should be SP-Solar controller-battery or main controller.   

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2017 #8

    I fitted 100w solar to my lunar delta RI and connection was behind the mains socket panel of the worktop. drilled through roof from cabinet above socket and fitted regulator in cabinet. don't have to go and change batteries now at storage site as 20mins drive away. save on fuel as well. works perfect and show up on panel above door. saved myself £150 by doing it myself.

  • ABIPete
    ABIPete Forum Participant Posts: 88
    edited September 2017 #9

    Thanks for your comments and help. I did fit a 100watt panel on the roof last spring with it's controller in a roof locker. Not without a problem!!! When I drilled through the roof I severed a 7 core cable that powered the lights etc. It took a lot of thinking and 2 days repairing the wiring inside the roof locker.The wire bundle is only about the thickness of my little finger and is buried in the roof insulation between the alloy roof and inner roof lining. It runs from the front of the caravan back to ? I had a large area to choose from and that 'Law' kicked in that states that is where you will drill!!! I had done a similar install on my previous Lunar Ultima without a problem.

    All now sorted and it has worked fine for the summer.

  • Merve
    Merve Forum Participant Posts: 2,333
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2017 #10

    I know how that feels. No trunning batteries to site every few weeks is wonderful but - I do hope you used a gland for the wire and the correct sealer Lornalou? So important to do the job absolutely correctly when going trough a roof with  a wire. 👌

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2017 #11

    yep. kit came with a double gland cover and stuck everything down with silkafix. went to southport for first ever trip on the 4 sept and rained for 36hours and was dry when i checked so v.happy

  • dmiller555
    dmiller555 Forum Participant Posts: 717
    500 Comments
    edited September 2017 #12

    Oh! yell

    I'm about to fit a roof panel so I will now be carefully cutting a patch out of the ceiling first to look see rather than just drilling through from the top, which is what I had planned. So thanks for the warning. 

     

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2017 #13

    Oh dear. Sounds like that line from Casablanca - "of all the roof on all the van, you had to drill it here."

  • catherinef
    catherinef Forum Participant Posts: 647
    edited September 2017 #14

    Ours displays on the control panel in our Delta RI.  We have a 100W Truma panel fitted.

  • AdyF
    AdyF Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited June 2018 #15

    Hello, Can you help with advice and help to avoid me making the same mishap, I am contemplating fitting a solar panel do you have a expanded image of the upper locker to show how close to the side of the van the wiring run is ?

     

  • AdyF
    AdyF Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited June 2018 #16

    Hi ABIPete, I am just about to embark a similar protect on my Clubman. Do you have a image showing giving a perspective  of where the light wire runs in the roof space?

     

  • ABIPete
    ABIPete Forum Participant Posts: 88
    edited June 2018 #17

    Sorry AndF for the delay. I have not been able to see your question until tonight.

    The wire in my van roof is located approx 2inch or 5mm in from the locker door side not the wall.

    In retrospect I would now attempt to use the microwave vent in the roof as the route into the caravan.

    I attempted to use a photo but as I am away in the van for a few weeks I am unable to process it small enough to use on this site!!!!!

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