What Should We Do About This? (1 Viewer)

[Mags52]

Hi Folks, I'm looking for some advice.
Before we sold our old van we took it to the local dealer who had fitted a solar panel for us and they agreed that it was faulty. They were going to replace it but the replacement didn't arrive until after we sold it. They then agreed to put it on our new (to us) van.
We now have the new van (Autotrail Miami) and it already has a 120w solar system fitted and the receipts say that the last owner paid £900 for the system.
We looked out of the upstairs windows to check for space for a second panel and it looks like the roof is pretty well covered with the panel and all the vents and skylights. We are also worried about putting too much weight on and having insufficient payload.
The original panel cost us £800 including fitting so walking away with nothing feels a bit sore.
My questions are:
1) Is 120w solar plenty for most people? We have a pair of leisure batteries.
2) If not are there long slim solar panels available to fit in beside the one already there?
3) Would it be reasonable to ask them to give us a cash refund or some alternative work? (I'm doubtful they would do this to be honest but is it fair to ask for it?)
What are your thoughts?
Thanks
Mags

 

[chaser]

If they already have the panel , I would just get it off them, you can always sell it on here or eBay or somewhere, no hassle

 

[Mags52]

Brilliant idea Chaser - never thought of that.

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[icantremember]

The first panel was faulty ... Their problem ...... tell them you want a full refund.

 

[DBK]

120W should be fine. You can get long thin panels, but the one I've seen was very expensive.

I suggest ask them to return the panel and bits to their supplier and refund you. Most of that £800 you have paid will be labour and as they haven fitted it they can't really charge you for what.

At worst, get them to refund the labour but you pay for the items which you then sell. But better to get a full refund.

 

[andy63]

So the dealer has a replacement panel for you, which you now don't think you will need..but have paid for..
I suspect the best you can do is take the panel and as suggested sell it .
If you did want it fitting as an addition on your new van they would charge a fitting fee as its no longer a replacement for a faulty but they might do a deal for the initial inconvenience...
My thoughts...
Saw your pictures of new van..looks great and hope you have years of safe and happy travels..
Andy.

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[Minxy]

The original panel cost us £800 including fitting so walking away with nothing feels a bit sore.

If it was this the original panel that was FAULTY which you paid £800 for and have now changed vans, then you are already gaining as whoever now gets your old van will 'inherit' a faulty panel which the dealer will have to sort out so I supposed 'morally' the panel should have gone with the dealer to fit on the old van.

However as the 'solar' dealer (I assume a different company) agreed to put it on your new van FOC the only thing you will lose is the 'free fitting' and some of the value of the panel as they are never worth second hand what you pay for them new, but you are still quids in as you're in effect getting the panel for nothing as anything you get for it is a bonus.

The most you could probably hope for, if you don't want it fitting to your van, is for them to let you have the panel and fittings - I can't see them giving you cash but you could ask as they may be able to use it for another MH, and also may be willing to do some stuff for you too ... nothing to lose by asking!

 

[Minxy]

Forgot to say, 120w solar and a couple of batteries should be more than sufficient, so long as you don't have lots of late night party sessions!!!

 

[DavidG58]

I presume you traded the old MH with faulty solar panel to a different dealer to the one who fitted the panel. When you traded in were you asked if everything worked and if so what did you tell them?

I think morally the new panel should be sent to the dealer who now has your old MH (presuming it is not the same), in reality I am not sure I would, would very much depend on how the deal had gone with my new MH

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[Lenny HB]

Is a 120watts of solar enough? Really depends on your usage, we have 200 watts of solar and now thinking of fitting another 100 watt panel, as if we fully charge the e-bike batteries it really canes the leisure batteries (2 x 95 ah) and takes several days to fully recharge them even in June when you have highest solar output.

 

[Mags52]

If it was this the original panel that was FAULTY which you paid £800 for and have now changed vans, then you are already gaining as whoever now gets your old van will 'inherit' a faulty panel which the dealer will have to sort out so I supposed 'morally' the panel should have gone with the dealer to fit on the old van.

I told the dealer who bought our MH that the panel was faulty. He was fine about that. He also got a full Gaslow system that he'd been willing to take out for us but as the new van had one fitted we told him to keep it. He's happy.

 

[Mags52]

I presume you traded the old MH with faulty solar panel to a different dealer to the one who fitted the panel. When you traded in were you asked if everything worked and if so what did you tell them?

I think morally the new panel should be sent to the dealer who now has your old MH (presuming it is not the same), in reality I am not sure I would, would very much depend on how the deal had gone with my new MH

He was told it was faulty and that the new one was going on our next van so no problem there.

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[Gellyneck]

Brilliant idea Chaser - never thought of that.

Or, is anybody on here wanting a panel fitted and would the supplying dealer do that instead of fitting it to your now sold mh?

 

[Mags52]

That's also a good idea Gellyneck - it's Knowepark Motorhomes in Livingstone near Edinburgh. Currently booked for fitting on July 28th. They would charge for the fitting of course - only the panel is on warranty.

 

[cruiser]

lots of advise there @Mags52 . so what are you going to do ..

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[Mags52]

lots of advise there @Mags52 . so what are you going to do ..

I'm going to call the dealer tomorrow and see what I can negotiate with them. I'll keep you posted.

 

[JJ]

Watts provided by solar panels are like gigabytes of RAM in your computer or cold beers in your fridge...

You can never have too many.

(You could always have the extra panel not fitted to the roof but kept somewhere to be brought out and pointed at the sun when necessary.)


JJ