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LR4USN
Member Since: 20 Aug 2011
Location: FL
Posts: 18
  
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nice rack too (:
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 11th Apr 2017 2:04 pm |
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Jubbly
Member Since: 20 Nov 2016
Location: Stourbridge
Posts: 401
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I had an 80w panel with my 110amp leisure battery, though I never went anywhere without electric hook up, the panel could just about run the small lcd tv from the invertor if needed, I think prices now are cheaper and a 200w panel on the roof of your van should suffice, especial in lower sun outputs. should cost about £200 with the relevant charge controller
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| 25th Apr 2017 7:55 pm |
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Bob M
Member Since: 21 Apr 2014
Location: Ingleton North Yorks
Posts: 60
 
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Hi all,
You can save a fortune buying the components rather than a camping solution.
Even expensive camping setups use cheap PPM controllers.
These chop the power to reduce then stop charging to prevent overcharge.
100w modern panels are cheap because they are used in domestic setups.
I have a framed 100w panel with a Fangpusun Peak Power point Tracking controller.
These load the panel to the voltage which gives maximum power then converts it to charge as required.
They charge about 1.5 times the rate of PPM controllers for given conditions, and will charge in much lower light levels.
Beware of cheap controllers claiming to be PPPT there are fakes.
Genuine ones are expensive and heavy with heatsinks for the inverter.
My controller was about 70ukp from China.
Loads on the web about PPPT and diy setups.
Regards
Bob
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| 30th Apr 2017 9:21 am |
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Navigator
Member Since: 17 Mar 2010
Location: Stay at Home. One of the lives you save could be your own.
Posts: 5114
  
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If the panel is flat on it's back on the roof it gets a lot less sun than a portable one you can keep moving to be pointed at the sun so it needs to be bigger. But can you stand all the faffing moving it?
A split charge controller let's you have an emergency reserve battery hidden somewhere. You could even take it for a trip in the Discovery if things are getting desperate. A vaccine does not stop you catching a virus, or passing it on, or getting ill from it, really ill. It does reduce the likelyhood of you dying when really, really ill. Stay Alive - KEEP AWAY FROM PEOPLE.
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| 30th Apr 2017 10:15 pm |
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Benners66
Member Since: 09 Mar 2016
Location: Southampton
Posts: 86
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Now I feel thick.. 
This stuff is way over my head. I am good at practical things, but electronics/power etc confuses me easily.
From the info given I'm sure I will need 150W portable panels. My eldest is nearly too big for her bunk so a change of vans will be required (hence portables), and my power requirements could be quite large.
Just had a delivery of LED's for the van, so they should help conserve battery.
Thanks for all the replies. Some much cleverer folk than me out there 
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| 30th Apr 2017 10:40 pm |
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Paul68
Member Since: 01 Mar 2015
Location: Dudley
Posts: 358
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I have 2x 120 solar panels,2 110 batteries with Victron energy mppt controller and VE smart dongle so I view the battery status through my iPhone I then fitted a pure sine wave 2000w inverter so the wife can use a 800watt hairdrier
Never had no problems as we do quite a lot of off grid camping watching the motor racing/ cart racing as campsites mostly no plug in
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| 1st May 2017 7:12 am |
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Bob M
Member Since: 21 Apr 2014
Location: Ingleton North Yorks
Posts: 60
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Hi All,
Quick follow up to my previous post.
The Vcton MPPT controllers are identical to the Fangpusun.
A link to the Victon version of the controller I have is here.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Victron-Energy-M...eIKjcCPq3Q
Sometimes the larger models are cheaper, due to quantity sold I think.
For anyone wondering the two numbers ie 75 : 15 are input voltage maximum and output current maximum. So 75v max input 15A max output for this one.
Also series connect panels, not parallel as may seem obvious for 12v panels for greater efficiency.
But do this ONLY with MPPT controllers.
Hope this helps
Bob
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| 1st May 2017 10:26 am |
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lee157
Member Since: 01 Oct 2008
Location: in the middle
Posts: 557
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A big  for Victron energy MPPT controller from me, I've had a few others makes and this is the best I've had so far. Currently using a 100/30, which pulled 13.70amps from 2x80w panels flat on the caravan roof early July last year. I'd definitely recommend.
Lee
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| 1st May 2017 5:56 pm |
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