Adding a free standing Solar PV to an existing install

[DerfelUK]

I have "Bubble" a 2016 Hymer B544 in undercover storage. There is an existing 100w panel wired to an "Invotec GSC F12-10M" solar controller and 2*100A AGM batteries, wired into EBL 30 with an LT 95 F habitation control panel. The Invotec is a 10A MPPT controller. As it is set up, I have no indication what the solar is doing on the habitation panel. Does the Schaudt MPP LRM1218 provide such information to the LT 95F or is this panel too simple?

Unfortunately, there is no provision for EHU in storage. So I see 2 options, either swing down and take Bubble out every other weekend for a battery top up or use a 200W popup suitcase PV panel in front of Bubble to charge the batteries in absence of EHU.

Whilst the Invotec is capable of handling the ouput from a north light winter exposure of a 200w panel which I doubt would reach any more than 100w (given the northerly aspect), would there be merit is taking the Invotec out, dropping in the LRM1218, setting up a switch to isolate the existing 100w soalar pv which would swich in the portable 200w?

Comments appreciated and other suggestions .....

 

[Abacist]

Keep the Hab batteries at home over the winter topping up as necessary but that won't help the cab battery! Not familiar with Hymer specifics!

 

[jumar]

All I can offer is that folding Solar panels are a great asset....I use one to supplement my vans fixed roof panel which offers very little during winter months..I've become a very active solar harvester....and find flat roof mounted panels to be quite disappointing.

 

[autorouter]

The LT95 panel seems to be a very basic display, only showing battery voltages and tank levels. The LRM1218 won't add any more information to it.

If you can set up a portable 200W panel in the sunlight it would be more than adequate to keep the batteries topped up. Assuming the security aspect of leaving a portable panel outside isn't a problem. There's no need for any switching. The solar controllers will have diodes to prevent any unwanted back-feeding. You can just connect them both to the battery and they will sort themselves out.

If you haven't already bought the LRM1218, you might be better with a Victron SmartSolar which can Bluetooth to a phone app, or maybe a Votronic Duo, which has two battery outputs so you can top up the starter battery too. Not sure how the Votronic does Bluetooth, might need an extra Bluetooth dongle.

 

[Richard n Ann]

I have "Bubble" a 2016 Hymer B544 in undercover storage. There is an existing 100w panel wired to an "Invotec GSC F12-10M" solar controller and 2*100A AGM batteries, wired into EBL 30 with an LT 95 F habitation control panel. The Invotec is a 10A MPPT controller. As it is set up, I have no indication what the solar is doing on the habitation panel. Does the Schaudt MPP LRM1218 provide such information to the LT 95F or is this panel too simple?

Unfortunately, there is no provision for EHU in storage. So I see 2 options, either swing down and take Bubble out every other weekend for a battery top up or use a 200W popup suitcase PV panel in front of Bubble to charge the batteries in absence of EHU.

Whilst the Invotec is capable of handling the ouput from a north light winter exposure of a 200w panel which I doubt would reach any more than 100w (given the northerly aspect), would there be merit is taking the Invotec out, dropping in the LRM1218, setting up a switch to isolate the existing 100w soalar pv which would swich in the portable 200w?

Comments appreciated and other suggestions .....

Only flat panels are useless in winter. I used to get virtually full power out of our 40w free standing panel in winter. So when I fitted the one on the roof I fitted hinges

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[jumar]

Only flat panels are useless in winter. I used to get virtually full power out of our 40w free standing panel in winter. So when I fitted the one on the roof I fitted hinges

Exactly, my 150w folding panel is fantastic, move it to catch the rays, tomorrow I hope to have completed a new roof mounted 200w conversion which tilts from flat to whatever angle you need.....getting 41w whilst flat, and 156w elevated.....just love solar..

 

[Two Rivers]

I have 80w on the roof, can I connect an 80w folding directly to the leisure battery to give me that bit extra when on site with no EHU. will connecting it damage to the sargent EC700 unit on my Autosleeper 2019 Corinium duo?.

 

[jumar]

Yes...via a suitable Solar controller...wait a while for the Tech answers to flood in...someone will advise you of the most suitable/ efficient way...

 

[599]

hi guys . all i know is when bill adds new panels he said they have to match the same as your old . 80w add80w /120w add120w & so on . you have to keep an eye on your regulator as well don't go about the set amps if it does buy a bigger regulator. i know because we did the same & we only put them on the roof . val

 

[jumar]

Bump

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[autorouter]

all i know is when bill adds new panels he said they have to match the same as your old . 80w add80w /120w add120w & so on .

That's a good idea if you are adding extra panels to connect to the same solar regulator. However if you are adding extra panels with their own separate solar regulator, you can just connect the regulator direct to the battery.

The only downside will be if the existing setup has a method of accounting for the state of charge - a percentage reading maybe - and the extra solar stuff won't register in that accounting process.