Another panel advice thread . . . (1 Viewer)

Jun 23, 2013
251
130
Hurworth-on-Tees, Darlington, UK
Funster No
26,622
MH
Knaus Sun Ti 650 MEG
Exp
Since July 2013 but been camping for 25+ years
Jul 23, 2013
381
221
Scotland
Funster No
27,080
MH
knaus van ti 600mg
Exp
Getting There since 2013
The extra cost is for the "mppt charge controller" which is worth getting. What size is your battery bank and how much space you got on your roof.
 
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chopper602
Jun 23, 2013
251
130
Hurworth-on-Tees, Darlington, UK
Funster No
26,622
MH
Knaus Sun Ti 650 MEG
Exp
Since July 2013 but been camping for 25+ years
Space on the roof isn't an issue, I'm having trouble actually finding my leisure battery! It's under a panel in the floor somewhere. Keeps us going for about two to three days off grid (fridge on gas all lights LED).

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Jul 23, 2013
381
221
Scotland
Funster No
27,080
MH
knaus van ti 600mg
Exp
Getting There since 2013
I would find out what leisure batteries you have as its going to help determine what size of solar panel you should get (im sure 100w should be fine) and if roof space isn't an issue then it maybe fitting 2 ;) but that would depend on if you see yourself going to increase your power usage in the future!
 
Nov 2, 2014
1,083
1,009
somerset
Funster No
34,099
MH
coachbuilt
Exp
2011
Have a look underneath van you will see a drop section thats where battery will be if youve checked everwhere else regards
 
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chopper602
Jun 23, 2013
251
130
Hurworth-on-Tees, Darlington, UK
Funster No
26,622
MH
Knaus Sun Ti 650 MEG
Exp
Since July 2013 but been camping for 25+ years
Jan 28, 2008
10,104
18,259
Dovercourt, Harwich, UK
Funster No
1,353
MH
Renalt burstner
Exp
7 years campers before that
if you have the roof space an spending on an extra panel is better than spending on a mppt controller

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chopper602
Jun 23, 2013
251
130
Hurworth-on-Tees, Darlington, UK
Funster No
26,622
MH
Knaus Sun Ti 650 MEG
Exp
Since July 2013 but been camping for 25+ years
This one panel will do me for now. There is a satellite dome already fitted and three rooflights, so this one will about fill the roof. We don't do that much wild camping, so this will top us up nicely when we do.
 

Badknee

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 25, 2014
7,395
408,985
notloB
Funster No
33,046
MH
Vantage Neo
Exp
Living the dream.
A very good comment was made on here in that thousands and thousands of pounds are wastefully spent on solar panels and battery banks that people think they will need but actually don't.
We plan to use this summer to do what we want when we want and if we run out of electrickery doing it we will do,something about it.
People tell us that they wild camp and so need this and that, well so do we but not for more than a couple of days and we move on thus charging the batteries we have, each to their own, if your stopping put for weeks at a time then it's a different matter but try before you buy. :D
 
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chopper602
Jun 23, 2013
251
130
Hurworth-on-Tees, Darlington, UK
Funster No
26,622
MH
Knaus Sun Ti 650 MEG
Exp
Since July 2013 but been camping for 25+ years
Well I know for certain I will be in the same place without EHU for at least 4 days in two locations this summer. That's not including the two or three days stops we might take elsewhere.

I don't feel I need to justify my purchase. It's a complete kit from a reputable company, so at the very least I've got some guarantee.
 
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chopper602
Jun 23, 2013
251
130
Hurworth-on-Tees, Darlington, UK
Funster No
26,622
MH
Knaus Sun Ti 650 MEG
Exp
Since July 2013 but been camping for 25+ years
Had a good look, and found a panel on the floor under the table and behind the cab seats (need to remove a small piece of trim, but it's constructed to allow access) and there it was - Banner Running Bull AGM 12v 95Ah 850A. Going to try and get the panel fitted next week, been hectic here to get anything done sooner.
 
Apr 22, 2013
911
660
Cotswolds
Funster No
25,654
MH
Bailey Approach 625
Exp
Since 2011
Ask these people to put a kit together for you, at least you will get 4mm cables and the upgrade to 6mm will be minimal.
You are likely to find that tightening the entry glands on to 2.5mm cable is difficult, 6mm cable will give a better seal.

http://www.solarenergyalliance.com
They couldn't have been more help when I bought things from them.

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Judge Mental

Funster
Deceased RIP
Sep 2, 2009
6,650
5,883
Sarth London
Funster No
8,272
MH
Possl 636 FR panel van
Exp
1994 and beyond...
can anyone recommend a complete one panel kit plse..I have two matched leisure batteries. and an idea as to weight would be helpful :)

Are the Bosch panels any better, as seen on ebay
 
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chopper602
Jun 23, 2013
251
130
Hurworth-on-Tees, Darlington, UK
Funster No
26,622
MH
Knaus Sun Ti 650 MEG
Exp
Since July 2013 but been camping for 25+ years
can anyone recommend a complete one panel kit plse..I have two matched leisure batteries. and an idea as to weight would be helpful :)

Are the Bosch panels any better, as seen on ebay
Take a look at the link at the top of the thread - they do complete kits, it then depends how much power you want or how much you are prepared to spend!

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funflair

LIFE MEMBER
Dec 11, 2013
19,199
29,888
Guisborough
Funster No
29,351
MH
MORELO palace
Exp
since 2012
Had a good look, and found a panel on the floor under the table and behind the cab seats (need to remove a small piece of trim, but it's constructed to allow access) and there it was - Banner Running Bull AGM 12v 95Ah 850A. Going to try and get the panel fitted next week, been hectic here to get anything done sooner.

Make sure you solar regulator is set to AGM when it fitted.

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chopper602
Jun 23, 2013
251
130
Hurworth-on-Tees, Darlington, UK
Funster No
26,622
MH
Knaus Sun Ti 650 MEG
Exp
Since July 2013 but been camping for 25+ years
Just paid for the installation today - very pleased with Teesside Caravans!
3 hours was the book time, no idea how long they actually took but it's very neat. I also mentioned that the hab door was dodgy and they've fixed that too (for another ½ hours labour!). Had a quick look at the display and it's kicking out over 14v at about 2amps. Battery voltage was nearly 13.5v or thereabouts.
Newby Hall, wild camping at the end of the month will tell me how effectively it's working !
 
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chopper602
Jun 23, 2013
251
130
Hurworth-on-Tees, Darlington, UK
Funster No
26,622
MH
Knaus Sun Ti 650 MEG
Exp
Since July 2013 but been camping for 25+ years
First use of the solar panel in anger and it worked very well and am very pleased with it. Not so pleased that in fitting they seem to have introduced a leak !! Noticed a bit of water on the shelf under where the wires enter the hab. So I dropped the keys back off with them and they're going to look at it. It must be getting under the gland as the wire rises up before entering there. There is a lot of sealant up there, so looks like they've just been a bit unlucky . . . .

After it's resealed, there is nothing more I need to do is there?
 

pappajohn

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 26, 2007
43,207
48,802
Dark side of the moon
Funster No
172
Exp
Since 2005
's kicking out over 14v at about 2amps. Battery voltage was nearly 13.5v
If it's 14v at the controller and 13.5v at the batteries you have some serious volt drop.

The battery voltage or remote voltmeter should show the same voltage as at the controller.

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