Wissel
Free Member
Hey all.
We use around 1300w of power per 24 hours in our van. We currently have 4 x 100w panels on the roof, but because the van blew up before giving them a good test, and it's parked in the shade, we have no idea if they will produce anywhere near enough power.
Now about to fit out a new van and want to get this right.
Our options are:
1. Keep the 4 x 100w panels and hope
2. Replace with 3 x 250w panels (cost of £680 inc. controllers - would get some back on existing panels)
3. Replace with 3 x 250w panels and have the ability to angle them (cost - a lot
)
I was planning on going with option 3, but I'm having second thoughts. We like to wildcamp and I think having huge panels sticking 1m above the van (panels take up 3m x 1.5m) will be too intrusive to others. Also, in the winter, when most useful, the wind is likely to be higher. I don't think we would use the angling much.
Option 1 could be a huge mistake - not the easiest of things to change at a later date, so I'm nervous about this.
So I'm leaning towards option 2. 750w should keep us nicely topped up for most of the year. I think?
Before I decide I'd really like a few opinions.
How much solar do you have and how much power do you get from it throughout the year?
If you were using 1300w per day, what would you want on the roof?
Would you bother with angling an array this big?
Storage wise we have 400Ah of LiFePO4 and can survive 3 days with zero charging. We can also charge at a true 60A whilst driving and have EHU if needed. If travelling in winter we have no problem mixing sites and wilding.
Would really appreciate a few opinion here
Cheers, David
We use around 1300w of power per 24 hours in our van. We currently have 4 x 100w panels on the roof, but because the van blew up before giving them a good test, and it's parked in the shade, we have no idea if they will produce anywhere near enough power.
Now about to fit out a new van and want to get this right.
Our options are:
1. Keep the 4 x 100w panels and hope
2. Replace with 3 x 250w panels (cost of £680 inc. controllers - would get some back on existing panels)
3. Replace with 3 x 250w panels and have the ability to angle them (cost - a lot

I was planning on going with option 3, but I'm having second thoughts. We like to wildcamp and I think having huge panels sticking 1m above the van (panels take up 3m x 1.5m) will be too intrusive to others. Also, in the winter, when most useful, the wind is likely to be higher. I don't think we would use the angling much.
Option 1 could be a huge mistake - not the easiest of things to change at a later date, so I'm nervous about this.
So I'm leaning towards option 2. 750w should keep us nicely topped up for most of the year. I think?
Before I decide I'd really like a few opinions.
How much solar do you have and how much power do you get from it throughout the year?
If you were using 1300w per day, what would you want on the roof?
Would you bother with angling an array this big?
Storage wise we have 400Ah of LiFePO4 and can survive 3 days with zero charging. We can also charge at a true 60A whilst driving and have EHU if needed. If travelling in winter we have no problem mixing sites and wilding.
Would really appreciate a few opinion here

Cheers, David