Solar panels

griffA50
griffA50 Forum Participant Posts: 1
edited April 2019 in Parts & Accessories #1

Just thinking of fitting a solar panel to our Hymer before touring Scotland. We have two leisure batteries and never had a problem yet. Looking at various ideas about the solar panels it seems 100w could be enough for us. We do not bother with a TV.

        Has anybody fitted or used this system to keep things topped-up ? We do not want to go and spend our pennies and not need to..

                     Griff

Comments

  • Discoil
    Discoil Forum Participant Posts: 19
    edited April 2019 #2

    I have a 100W panel on my caravan and watch dvd s , as I'm always well away from a tv mast. With blown air heating . No problem !

  • ocsid
    ocsid Forum Participant Posts: 1,395
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #3

    I would strongly suggest you don't go sub 100 Watts as if purchased wisely panels are now "cheap".

    If prepared to go the E-bay route and into DIY there are 100 Watt rigid panels for sub £100, so IMO making a nonsense now of buying smaller less capable sizes.

    I would also suggest you buy the associated controller with caution buying a decent brand unit.

    Here there are two technologies, PWM and MPPT, the latter being capable of greater yield in the critical poorer lighting, but "like for like" on quality it comes a bit dearer.

    To better exploit that potential of the MPPT in poorer light [a very worthwhile aim as that's where the challenges of solar are] the solar panel's output voltage needs to be higher than a typical "12 volt use" panel can give [ie sub 20 volts], so here it is prudent to wire two identical 50 Watt panels in series so the voltage input to the MPPT controller is doubled to 35 to 40 odd volts.

    Even with that desirable refinement and a good MPPT controller like a Victron 75, the cost of a very good 100 Watt DIY system can be sub £200.

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Victron-MPPT-Solar-Regulator-12/dp/B018M88G98

     

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited April 2019 #4
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited April 2019 #5

    I fitted a 120w panel about 3 years ago from SunStore, I don't even use hookup at home anymore, the panel keeps everything nicely topped up when the van isn't in use. If you plan to use sites without EHU it is a good investment. Keeping batteries charged with a solar panel when off hook up is better for them than allowing them to discharge and having to recharge them again.

    peedee

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #6

    As Wallis Simpson said " you can't be too thin, too rich or have too big a solar panel"

  • KeithandMargaret
    KeithandMargaret Forum Participant Posts: 660
    500 Comments
    edited April 2019 #7

    If I was buying for the first time I would fit the largest Solar panel I can afford, make sure there's enough roof space to fit it, and most of the power problems will disappear.

    You'll save a fortune by not needing EHU when away, or at home, and can park virtually anywhere without having to seek out a Site with hook-up.

    Have at least two compatible leisure batteries, a B2B connection between Starter and Leisure batteries, a refillable gas system, on-board toilet and shower facilities and with that lot the World is your Lobster.

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