New to Solar (1 Viewer)

Oct 7, 2013
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we are considering fitting solar to our M/H as we like to be off grid when travelling in Europe.

I don't feel confident of cutting into the roof our new M/H so will have it fitted professionally.

We have been quoted approx. £525 for a single 120W installation.

A couple of questions :-

Does the quote seem reasonable?

Is 1x120W likely to be OK or should I go for two (either 2x100W or 2x120W)

What questions should I be asking prior to installation?

Thanks, in anticipation.:smiley:
 

Wildman

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fitting yourself entails gluing the panel to the roof and making one hole for the cable gland to pass through and save yourself around £350-400
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maison
Oct 7, 2013
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@Wilman
Thanks for the response.

If the M/H was older I might be tempted but, as it is only 5 months old I want to preserve the Warranty and water ingress guarantee, so am looking at the original supplier doing the job.

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Carol

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I would definitely get it fitted professionally as the last two years we have been asking for insurance quotes we have been asked if our solar panel had been fitted professionally and if we had the documentation.
 
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maison
Oct 7, 2013
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I would definitely get it fitted professionally as the last two years we have been asking for insurance quotes we have been asked if our solar panel had been fitted professionally and if we had the documentation.
Thanks.

Hadn't even considered any Insurance implications.(y)
 

magicsurfbus

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The required wattage will depend upon the intended usage.

We run our (all LED) lighting, water pump, air heater fan, satellite tuner & TV and all our 12v gadget rechargers off 85W without difficulty. We don't use a 230v inverter for anything.

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Techno

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I would definitely get it fitted professionally as the last two years we have been asking for insurance quotes we have been asked if our solar panel had been fitted professionally and if we had the documentation.
What documentation would that be ? A receipt lol
 
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Techno

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Those brackets are rubbish Terry
Once glued on to the roof you can't get the panel back off if needed as they bolt to the underside of the frame

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Terry

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Those brackets are rubbish Terry
Once glued on to the roof you can't get the panel back off if needed as they bolt to the underside of the frame
It is what's in the kit Andy there are lot's of other kits available at similar money - me I just used some ali angle and bought the panel etc separately after following your advice on panels ;):LOL:
terry
 

Ivory55

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Have you got 2 batteries fitted, it may be that 2 batteries might work out cheaper and they charge up as you move around. Saves having to fit solar.
 
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Robert Clark

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Have you got 2 batteries fitted, it may be that 2 batteries might work out cheaper and they charge up as you move around. Saves having to fit solar.
Assuming that the van has a battery to battery charger fitted. Our 1 year old Bessie didn't.
We've just had solar panels fitted by Vanbitz, then we added 2 extra leisure batteries (4 in total) and also have a B2B charger. Belt and braces, but works well when using a 2kw inverter.

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Derbyshire wanderer

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Personally I think that your quote is too much. The parts are a maximum £150 so they want in the region of £375 for less than half a days work! Two panels for the price would be fair in my view.
As said above, fitting yourself is very easy and the waterproof gland for the cable entry is exactly as they would use so no real risk of water ingress.
I would rather fit my own as I then know the quality of the work rather than the cost but the choice is yours.
 

errpaul

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So glueing the panel to the roof is fine. We have a kit which include silkaflex to do this, but not confident it will be enough, but then don't want to drill, especially as there is already a waterproof box factory installed ready to take the solar, so potential for no drilling required.
 

Techno

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The parts are a maximum £150
I really don't understand how you can come to that conclusion. There are so many variables, I pay £100 just for the regulator

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Ivory55

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Ours has got a split charger thing that charges as we drive not b to b I thought all motorhomes had them , never mind cancel that idea then.
 

Techno

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If you buy the parts yourself for this hypothetical £150 that is fair enough and then set about DIY fitting and along the way realise all sorts of things you hadn't accounted for you have to rush out and buy and then any warranty issues deal with the seller then off you go a happy bunny

Or you could pay for the whole job which is more than £150 because the fitter spends time obtaining the parts and has all the conceivable items that might not be envisaged and provides a warranty on everything
The time it takes again is an unknown unless you have dealt with every vehicle manufacturer and layout configurations
You can spend that "half a day" surveying a van , it's not always two meters to the battery down the back of the wardrobe
 

Techno

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Don't get me wrong anyone who knows me knows there is no one more in favour of DIY but there are lots of factors not always considered
For a dealer the price is run of the mill but just because it's a dealer is no guarantee of quality, always go on satisfied customer recommendation

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Carol

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What documentation would that be ? A receipt lol

No when Solar solutions fitted our panel I had an invoice written out with the work carried out as well as the amount paid, I was only saying the fact that this question was asked by more than one insurance company. :Smile:
 
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maison
Oct 7, 2013
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Have you got 2 batteries fitted, it may be that 2 batteries might work out cheaper and they charge up as you move around. Saves having to fit solar.
That was my other thought!

First fit is rack to carry our Motorbike. Then either second battery, (M-H is already set up for the second one) or Solar. The second battery would be an easy fix as it is pre-wired already. Just slot in.
 

Techno

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No when Solar solutions fitted our panel I had an invoice written out with the work carried out as well as the amount paid, I was only saying the fact that this question was asked by more than one insurance company. :Smile:
I don't see how that is of any use to an insurance company other than for the value and unless you turn your van upside down you're not going to be claiming for them other than a total loss. "Documentation" makes it sound like there is something special about it
There isn't any more than any other accessory

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Carol

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I don't see how that is of any use to an insurance company other than for the value and unless you turn your van upside down you're not going to be claiming for them other than a total loss. "Documentation" makes it sound like there is something special about it
There isn't

Andy I have no idea why the Insurance company's asked that, it's just a fact that they do and did it's up to the individual what they make of it, they also ask the same question about Saltalite Dishes.
 

Techno

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Andy I have no idea why the Insurance company's asked that, it's just a fact that they do and did it's up to the individual what they make of it, they also ask the same question about Saltalite Dishes.
It's very unlikely to make any difference to the premium and if they say it does go to safeguard
 

funflair

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If they blow off on the M1 and go through a bus windscreen the insurance would want to know who fitted them, oh I just stuck em on myself might not go down very well.

Martin

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Terry

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You have to be confident /capable of the work done -the recipet may be just to assure the insurance that it has been done to a supposedly good standard :rolleyes:
 

Techno

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If they blow off on the M1 and go through a bus windscreen the insurance would want to know who fitted them, oh I just stuck em on myself might not go down very well.

Martin

Or worse an N&B windscreen :LOL:

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Terry

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Can't remember ;)
I think when we say just stick it on we should be saying stick it on properly IE clean rough up both sides clean again then stick it on - we all assume that it's done right but who knows ? I have no doubt that some simply stick it down :D:LOL::LOL::LOL::)
terry
 

Bobby22

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Maybe the insurance company want to know of any modifications for replacement value...........never been asked about solar individually but they did ask who fitted my Gaslow as i told them about the mod.
 

CWH

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What an insurer decides to classify as a modification seems to vary, but it's always safest to let them know of any changes as they otherwise can refuse any claim.
If a modification is done by a professional then if a claim arises, they can pass the cost on to that fitter's insurers, so there's no increased financial risk to your insurer.
If you or a mate do it, then there is that increased risk which they may agree to take on, possibly increasing the premium, or they may decline.

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