100w solar panel!

[Leakylunar]

I’ve got Sargent ec325 control panel that has a built in solar power controller. but 100w max so my question is will that be sufficient to keep battery topped up.
There will be fridge on other than that a few lights or usb charging points.
If general opinion is yes I’ll be getting a good quality semi flexible one for the pop top.

 

[mitzimad]

what type of fridge and how many batteries?

 

[Camping Gaza]

Depending on your fridge of course, but I would not think so in everyday practical terms.
I have a standard small 3 way Dometic fridge a B2B throwing 40 amps to a 3x 120 ah battery bank and 300w of solar on the roof. Just because it says 100w any solar panel will just not deliver that in real world terms.

On a good sunny day I get about 4 to 5 charging amps max (indicated) to my batteries from the solar array, but my batteries are always full.

I still run my fridge on gas when parked.

 

[Camping Gaza]

what type of fridge and how many batteries?

PS @ mitzimad Sent you a conversation (pm) re: a question

 

[Riverbankannie]

We have 100w and very rarely use EHU. Quite sufficient for the use you describe. We use TV as well and usually charging at least 2 devices, run 2 fridge vent fans, supplementary 12 fan in roof, obviously water pumps too and lights (all led.)
Longest stayed in one place without moving is 5 nights no problem with batteries - just the one hab battery but a good one 140 gel I believe.
We don’t use an inverter.

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[WillH]

I find my panel fine from April to October but not really adequate through the winter, I do live in Scotland though and the sun is lower.

 

[Jonno1103]

I'd suggest investing in a separate controller and for flexibility, performance and weight opt for a CIGs panel.

If at some point you opt for say an AGM, gel or lead carbon battery the Sargent controller won't put the volts into them and lead acids can only realistically be discharged down to 50%.

We currently use this set up.

Midsummer Energy

midsummerenergy.co.uk

...and two Leoch 110 ah gel batteries.

 

[Leakylunar]

Our fridge is 65w I think I’ll be replacing the bulbs in the celex for led ones once I find out which one I need. Very rarely did we stay more than 4-5 nights in one place with our caravan and to be fair that length of time I would hook up.

 

[Leakylunar]

Wow that sounds a lot never thought of carrying 2 batteries, only thought of 100w as that’s what the Sargent can handle. Was originally looking at 150w with mppt controller but think funds won’t allow.

 

[Leakylunar]

Them midsummer panels look ideal have you used anything else to bond them to the surface or is the sticky back enough.

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[Richard n Ann]

Depending on your fridge of course, but I would not think so in everyday practical terms.
I have a standard small 3 way Dometic fridge a B2B throwing 40 amps to a 3x 120 ah battery bank and 300w of solar on the roof. Just because it says 100w any solar panel will just not deliver that in real world terms.

On a good sunny day I get about 4 to 5 charging amps max (indicated) to my batteries from the solar array, but my batteries are always full.

I still run my fridge on gas when parked.

At that amperage it looks like only one of your solar panels is working. Our 150w panel charges the battery at 9 amps in full sun.

 

[Lenny HB]

Sounds like you have a compressor fridge if so 100 watts won't be Anything like enough. The Sargent solar regulator is just a cheap PWM one bunged in the back of the unit far better to replace with a decent MPPT regulator.
You could start off with one panel and the Sargent and see how you get on. Easy to add more panels and change the regulator later.

 

[MikeD]

We find our 100w solar panel and a 140amp/hour battery keeps us going for two to three days in sunny Spain.

We would run our fridge on gas though.

A few cloudy days and we are usually struggling if the wife wants the tele on all evening.

Hardly use the van in the UK but I suspect we might struggle to keep the Hab battery fully charged.

 

[Leakylunar]

Midsummer energyanyone had any dealings with them?
They have ab150w flexi with mppt controller and all wires for £309

 

[Leakylunar]

Well it seems after reading several different post I might be better off with buying two 130a/h batteries and connecting them then that should do me for 2-3 nights in winter or 4-5 in summer!

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[Jonno1103]

Them midsummer panels look ideal have you used anything else to bond them to the surface or is the sticky back enough.

No, had them fitted by a narrowboat builder in Liverpool we know and all they did was make sure the roof space was thoroughly clean first and as it was a wet day the job was done under cover.

 

[DBK]

Well it seems after reading several different post I might be better off with buying two 130a/h batteries and connecting them then that should do me for 2-3 nights in winter or 4-5 in summer!

I think that's a sensible first step and then just see how you get on, but I would also suggest fitting some solar as soon as you can. With a compressor fridge 200W should keep you going for a while but 100W will be fine and keep everything topped up when the van isn't being used.

What I would suggest is also ensuring you can monitor the state of charge because if you run the batteries down too far, too often, you will need to buy new ones before each trip. I'm not familiar with the Sargeant and it may be able to do this, otherwise a shunt type monitor will give you a very good idea what is happening. You can get them on eBay very cheaply but the most often fitted are from Victron and NASA which are £100+.

Don't forget it takes a lot of driving to recharge the batteries if you don't have a battery to battery charger.

 

[Leakylunar]

Yes the panel tells me what the Volta ge is and how much power is being drawn.

 

[Leakylunar]

Just read I can add a second battery close to the old old one so long as it’s clamped in then using correct gauge of cable connected to my old battery( both will be new) rang Sargent this morning 120ah is maximum I can use

 

[Minxy]

Midsummer energyanyone had any dealings with them?
They have ab150w flexi with mppt controller and all wires for £309

Is this the one you mean @ £305 for the white one or £310 for the black one?

Midsummer Energy

midsummerenergy.co.uk

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[Leakylunar]

Yes that was the one , but still looking at either that or two new batteries and 100w that connects straight to my Sargent ec325 it all depends on cash flow.
Also when I go to the Lincoln show on 20th I’ll have a browse there.

 

[Minxy]

Yes that was the one , but still looking at either that or two new batteries and 100w that connects straight to my Sargent ec325 it all depends on cash flow.
Also when I go to the Lincoln show on 20th I’ll have a browse there.

There's a MPPT controller for sale here:

Victron MPPT 75116

6 months old Solar Regulator, fitted to my Van by Vanbitz just over 6 months ago, now had Lithium’s fitted and this was replaced with another make, so this is surplus to requirements. I’ll take £50 for it, going to Malvern Show next week if that helps.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Leakylunar]

Thanks but still unsure what I’ll end up doing, I’m in no rush it’s all fun searching and finding things out
Got a shopping list for Lincoln??

 

[Leakylunar]

Well confirmed today with Sargent 325 will only accept upto 120/130 ah/h battery so looks like back to 150-200w solar panel depends on what I can fit on my pop top.
The Sargent can only handle 100w panel(10 amp max)
Is there any recommendations for a good 120-130ah/h battery? Must be lead acid

 

[Jasz]

I read a lot on here about how many batteries you need and lots of watts from your solar panel, but we have a 75Ah battery and a 100W solar panel and have had no problems keeping the battery topped up for 4 to 5 days between April and September (not that we usually stay in one place that long). Our fridge runs on gas though and that would make a big difference!

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[Leakylunar]

Going to ring Sargent tomorrow to ask about gel battery with ec325

 

[barsteward]

I read a lot on here about how many batteries you need and lots of watts from your solar panel, but we have a 75Ah battery and a 100W solar panel and have had no problems keeping the battery topped up for 4 to 5 days between April and September (not that we usually stay in one place that long). Our fridge runs on gas though and that would make a big difference!

Sorry I may be accused of being un knowledgeable (which of course I am) but it all depends on how you use your motorhome.
If you only use it for the odd weekend and annual holiday on EHU or moving regularly its more than adequate but if you FLT in winter even in Spain it will be woefully inadequate.

 

[Leakylunar]

When I purchased the bilbo they told me battery was good for 20-24 hrs depending on use, so for us to go away for say 3 nights we’d need more/bigger batteries and/or solar power.
As Sargent have said max 130 ah/h battery that’s why I thought about gel as you can use them longer for same size as lead acid?
While I have funds also put solar on roof the main thing that is running is the fridge and usb charging points

 

[Ian-n-Suzy]

If Sargent say 130ah is your max, would a Lithium or Traction battery be an option? (greater Depth of Discharge)

 

[Leakylunar]

Lithium looks way out of my budget at the moment