Solar Panels 2
Hi All
After our first season of using our van we decided to upgrade to a brand new one! As part of the upgrade we can have fitted at factory a 120w solar roof panel on the roof as an upgrade! Now being new to using our van we don't mind having one fitted from new if its going to prove right for us? We need to know everyone thoughts on such a bit of kit? what benefits will it give us? etc why would we get one apart from keeping the battery topped up? Is there any other real benefits?
Await all that knowledge out there coming our way!
Comments
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Apart from the battery topping bit, which is important, you will be able to stay on sites without an external electricity supply if you wish.
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It will really depend on how you use your van and how you store your van. If you always use sites with electric hook-up and if you store at home and can connect to your home power source then the advantages will be minimal. However if you like using CL's without hook up, as has already been mentioned it would most useful to keep the leisure battery topped up. Likewise if you store away from home the panel will keep the battery topped up between trips, particularly useful if you have any sort of alarm system which requires power from the battery.
David
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I use a 150w folding panel, stays for over 2 weeks off grid at around £6 - £9 a night, means more outings with longer stays and around 3 - 4hrs TV usage a night, a 150w inverter is used to charge my shaver, phone & camera batteries etc. Can also be used in winter off grid!
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....and if you're storing at home (as we do) it will keep your batteries topped up without messing about with hook up cables
if you're into the Temporary Holiday Site thing (the CCC turn up without booking, stay as long as you like system) or are thinking about it, then the panel will allow you to stay with your own power....
with a roof mounted panel you wont have to worry about how/where to store/carry it or chaining it up as there are some dodgy customers about....
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Being new to this hobby you might not know where the hobby will take you. So including the ability, at least through the main season to be "autonomous", not requiring a hookup, could greatly extend your options.
Unless the cost is silly I would go for it, if only because some of those 5 van sites without EHU can be real jewels.
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Thanks for all comments duly understand all
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we are now using sites without E.H.U. on our 2 weeks last summer we saved £154.00 £4.00 per night opposed to £15.00 per night
we can now afford to go away for more weeks
our 160 watt panel keeps us going
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