Hi I'm new here but have been motorhoming for about 3 years. I have become a lot more serious about it in the last few months and although I have owned my current mh since 2011(?), have spent some time and money improving it this year. I'm very happy with it now and have just returned from 1 month in France and a month in Spain. I'm hoping to go away again to warmer climes (probably Spain) before the end of the year.
The main improvement has been a sense of independence since fitting solar panels. The ability to park up almost anywhere and not have to worry about ehu (and pay campsite fees). I also repaired/replaced various other items that had either broken through wear and tear or had not worked since we bought the mh in 2011. Our mh is a 2006 registered Autotrail Chieftain and amongst other things I've had to replace the Shurflo water pump (leaking), the shower mixer (never worked properly), awning gearbox (gradual deterioration).
The main work was on the solar panels where I was inspired entirely by Techno100 on another forum which I won't mention here. As he now continues to provide such wonderful threads on this forum I felt I had no alternative but to follow Andy here.
I fitted three 100 watt flexible panels to the roof of my mh. One panel feeds the Sargent control panel via a 10amp controller so charging both the leisure batteries in bank 1 and the vehicle battery. The two other panels connect to a 30amp controller feeding a second bank of 2 leisure batteries and are dedicated initially to an inverter which feeds three sockets within the mh. These can be switched back into the existing 240v circuit if we are on ehu. Some additional 12v sockets are connected to bank 2 to provide charging for electrical equipment.
The second bank is also connected to a C2b relay so any spare capacity is fed to bank 1.
Having been away for 2 months and also seen how the system is working whilst the vehicle is in storage, I must say I am delighted with the results. This is mainly thanks to Andy as his threads are so informative with great pictures and links to where he has sourced the various items. Without his inspiration I might not have felt able even to get started.
I'm keen to get away again. I must explain that I care for my 92 year old mother. I'm lucky in that we live together in a flat in Cardiff Bay but I find that I can care for her just as well in our motorhome. She prefers the warmer weather in Southern Spain so I'm sure we'll be off again soon!
So a few winterisation mods and possibly some changes to Internet and tv systems to sort out before we go again. I know that I'll be visiting this forum for guidance.
The main improvement has been a sense of independence since fitting solar panels. The ability to park up almost anywhere and not have to worry about ehu (and pay campsite fees). I also repaired/replaced various other items that had either broken through wear and tear or had not worked since we bought the mh in 2011. Our mh is a 2006 registered Autotrail Chieftain and amongst other things I've had to replace the Shurflo water pump (leaking), the shower mixer (never worked properly), awning gearbox (gradual deterioration).
The main work was on the solar panels where I was inspired entirely by Techno100 on another forum which I won't mention here. As he now continues to provide such wonderful threads on this forum I felt I had no alternative but to follow Andy here.
I fitted three 100 watt flexible panels to the roof of my mh. One panel feeds the Sargent control panel via a 10amp controller so charging both the leisure batteries in bank 1 and the vehicle battery. The two other panels connect to a 30amp controller feeding a second bank of 2 leisure batteries and are dedicated initially to an inverter which feeds three sockets within the mh. These can be switched back into the existing 240v circuit if we are on ehu. Some additional 12v sockets are connected to bank 2 to provide charging for electrical equipment.
The second bank is also connected to a C2b relay so any spare capacity is fed to bank 1.
Having been away for 2 months and also seen how the system is working whilst the vehicle is in storage, I must say I am delighted with the results. This is mainly thanks to Andy as his threads are so informative with great pictures and links to where he has sourced the various items. Without his inspiration I might not have felt able even to get started.
I'm keen to get away again. I must explain that I care for my 92 year old mother. I'm lucky in that we live together in a flat in Cardiff Bay but I find that I can care for her just as well in our motorhome. She prefers the warmer weather in Southern Spain so I'm sure we'll be off again soon!
So a few winterisation mods and possibly some changes to Internet and tv systems to sort out before we go again. I know that I'll be visiting this forum for guidance.
i wish!!!
