Solar Panels, Is It Worth Having Them Installed? (1 Viewer)

[Babyell]

Hi we are new to all this so please excuse my maybe obvious questions!

We have just bought our first MH and don't want to have to rely on camp sites for power. We have the 2 gas tanks etc but we were wondering if it is worth getting solar panels fitted? we have a button for them on our control panel thingy to show power available. how easy and cost effective are they to install? thanks in advance

 

[mike mcglynn]

I had a solar panel fitted at eddie vanbitz back in april works great also got a b2b charger at same time
one of my better decisions all in all .

 

[Babyell]

Whats a B2B charger?

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[Linda and Steph]

Yes, without a doubt yes.

We had one fitted by Dave Newell last month and it's amazing how much more relaxing the recent Stratford meet was - no worries about power. Also the knowledge that if you don't use the MH for a few weeks the battery will still have power.

 

[GJH]

Yes, yes and again yes. We had ours fitted by Dave Newell as well. We have no worries about battery power virtually all year.

 

[mike mcglynn]

Whats a B2B charger?

Its a a small electronic device that basically puts the alternator to work when driving to charge up all the batteries engine and leisure its about the size of a matchbox mine is stuck to engine battery with a small led to show its working.

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[scotzsue]

Solar panels are great, well worth the investment, if electric is extra and you dont need to use mains you can soon recoup the cost. Our van has just gone back to dealer as energy is coming in from solar, but not getting to the batteries, Rhino instals at chorley does a mobile service, have not used him myself, but know people who have and are well pleased with his work.

 

[hilldweller]

is worth getting solar panels fitted?

Definitely for summer use but less useful in the winter.

Under £200 buys a full DIY kit.

 

[Deleted member 29692]

Yes. Definitely yes. Get as much capacity as you can fit on your roof. With ours we can be permanently off grid summer or winter.

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[Techno]

Its a a small electronic device that basically puts the alternator to work when driving to charge up all the batteries engine and leisure its about the size of a matchbox mine is stuck to engine battery with a small led to show its working.

A B2B is quite a large unit, what you describe sounds like a battery master

This is a B2B
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[WillH]

Dave Newell fitted a 100w panel on our van a year ago, best thing ever, give him a ring. Now.

 

[Techno]

You can't have too much BUT do consider the weight!

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[mike mcglynn]

A B2B is quite a large unit, what you describe sounds like a battery master

This is a B2B
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Hi,Andy yes you are quite right batterymaster it is

 

[Babyell]

how much does Dave Newell charge to fit them?

 

[JJ]

Is it worth having solar panels?

Yes.


JJ

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[GJH]

how much does Dave Newell charge to fit them?

The price will depend on the size of panel but Dave doesn't rip people off so his charge will be reasonable.

 

[Techno]

Hi,Andy yes you are quite right batterymaster it is

You'd better be aware then that there is no alternator trickery with what you have and it only moves 1.1 amps and not from the engine battery to the leisure battery but the opposite way.

http://www.vanbitz.com/product/battery-master/

 

[peterc10]

Solar panels are well worth it. Except in the depths of the UK winter you never need to worry about finding a hook up again. We have 2 x 100W. But to make most of them you will also need at least 2 decent leisure batteries.

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[gus-lopez]

Yes.

 

[mjltigger]

Ok.. I will put an alternative view..

If you use more electricity than you generate by driving then solar is something worth having.

Let me explain.

We use our van for exploring. We drive, stop and look around, drive, stop and eat, drive, sleep. It doesn't matter how long we go for, that is the habit we have.

So in effect, we never use enough electricity that the batteries we have run low and the engine with a standard split charge relay is enough to meet our needs

Our new van has a big inverter that runs a TV and also a diesel space heater so it may be different in the winter with this one however solar isn't all that useful in the winter anyway so we may need an alternative solution.

So for lots of people, solar is essential for the way they use their vans. For us, it would just be more weight and more drag.

 

[musson]

I keep my van about 8 miles from home I would not be without one keeps all batteries charged and good when on rallies

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[Allanm]

We have 110w of panels ( original 30watt and a new 80watt) I noticed even when it's dull and raining, I am still getting up to an amp being generated, so they aren't so useless in Winter. A couple of days ago in the sun, they were generating just over 5 amps. We have 3 leisure batteries and rarely spend more than one night at an Aire but we can stay 3 or 4 days without EHU easily without draining the batteries.

 

[angusboy]

Vanbitz great job

 

[gibbon]

Yes, yes and again yes. We had ours fitted by Dave Newell as well. We have no worries about battery power virtually all year.

Us too, plus a dc to dc charger, right up there with the gaslow installation

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[TheCaller]

Yes, without a doubt yes.

We had one fitted by Dave Newell last month and it's amazing how much more relaxing the recent Stratford meet was - no worries about power. Also the knowledge that if you don't use the MH for a few weeks the battery will still have power.

I think that sums it up perfectly.

More relaxing than a couple of bottles of Landlord. Bit more expensive, but you have to keep buying the Landlord.

 

[Baggers53]

I recently fitted 100w solar panel to MH. Bought panel, controller, wiring & connectors, in line fuses and fixing brackets/ mastick all new off ebay for less than £80. It took me about 2 hrs to fit, and this included a delay due to MH wiring loom being incorrect. For this sort of money I think....just do it. Hope you do and you will see the benefit.

 

[Techno]

As much as £80 for the lot
Got links to these bargains?

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[Ockerron]

Another definite yes from us! Bought our van in September and spent the first few trips stressing about running out of power! Went to Vanbitz and had a second leisure battery fitted, a solar panel and battery master. Brilliant job. Each trip since has been a joy with no worries about power, so would definitely recommend!

 

[robnchris]

Essential is another way of putting it.

 

[GAVLAD]

And it's a yes from me and thanks to @Techno100 for making it happen!