New To This

[Gerd]

Hello - I have just acquired a Fiat Scudo (converted) Campervan - have not yet stayed overnight in it.. first trip weekend of 27th May. I have a number of questions covering different things but main one is on Solar Panels, so will put all the questions in this post:

1. If I decide to put a solar panel on, what are the things I need to look out for: Does it charge the leisure battery up or does it provide the power when the appliances are in use and there is enough sunlight? Mine is a relatively small/compact van, are there different wattages/power and, if so, what would I be advised to go for, any makes/names would be helpful. Any idea on the cost of purchasing + fitting.
2. The water tank and filling it - there is a little blue pipe with a tap sticking out at the back of the kitchen - not sure how I am supposed to fill this up - any guidance.
3. A portable toilet - seem to be a wide range of styles and prices - anything I need to know about these.
4. I am looking at going somewhere on the Yorkshire Coast or Northumberland, seems all the sites are full - any easy ways of easily finding places with vacancies... Not sure what the risks are f pulling up in public places and utilising the leisure battery - main help would be easy way of finding sites with spaces.

I know they are slightly strange questions but finding it all a bit complex!!

Thanks in advance

 

[AG 2602]

Hi
As far as campsites are concerned we normally use pitch up. You can enter your requirements and dates and the rough location and it’ll give you availability in that location.
Solar panel will charge the leisure battery and if you have a battery master fitted then once leisure battery is charged it will trickle charge the cab battery. We have just fitted a battery master and works really well especially if the van is parked up for long periods.

 

[PaulOH]

Have you no handbook? Even I got a (slim) handbook (in German) when I got my van - true though that many things about it went unanswered!

Basics first - if you have a tap, then it's not for filling! look for a petrol cap filler type thing marked 'water' and you'll find the inlet to the tank - I'd suggest draining and rinsing it - look under the seats for a tank - hoefully it'll have a lid.

The basic 'chemical toilet' is more or less the same thing that we all use, but we've moved on from chemicals these days. I would suggest that you don't use the stronger chemicals which use strong colours and scents, but investigate Bio washing powder tabs or even yeast, which is a lot less problematic to dispose of

I am hoping to conquer some of the intricate practical steps which exist between 'wanting to install' solar to 'installing solar' without breaking the bank

If you want to use your van and it is set up without any solar capacity, that's not a problem provided you have a reasonable 12v battery setup and no great expectations about what your existing battery will provide you - about 3-4 days lighting after a good run, when you can charge from the motor while driving provided it is a good run.

My 3-way-fridge running on 12 volt-engine power was freezing ice cubes at the end of a 200km run in August, with the quite new leisure battery flagging after being parked up without charging in February the following year. I take the van out for a shortish drive once or twice weekly as a second vehicle. This helps the battery, but doesn't charge it.

What do you know about your setup before installing solar? it's not the best solution for everyone!

 

[Gerd]

Many thanks for those replies - really helpful.. and taking my first trip out next weekend and will take account of all the advice given!!

 

[Cherub]

Broadings Farm campsite at Whitby is great and rarely full as it’s so spread out, over 3 fields. Very nice place and a short walk into Whitby itself. Garage shop just down the road and just £24 per night with ehu.

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[autorouter]

1. If I decide to put a solar panel on, what are the things I need to look out for: Does it charge the leisure battery up or does it provide the power when the appliances are in use and there is enough sunlight?

The way all campervans/motorhomes work is, all the habitation circuits work from the leisure battery. Then there are various ways to charge the leisure battery: solar, mains charger, the alternator/starter battery while the engine is running, etc.

Mine is a relatively small/compact van, are there different wattages/power and, if so, what would I be advised to go for,

You will use a certain amount of energy per day, and what you are asking is how much will you use. You will have to work that out for yourself, but here's a couple of pointers. If we are talking about 12V electrics, then a leisure battery can store about 100 amp-hours (Ah) of charge. The amount will be on the battery label. Many people manage perfectly well on less than half that amount per day, ie 40Ah per day, so a full battery could last a couple of days.

A 100W solar panel, fixed flat on the roof (not angled like on a house roof) will produce about 30Ah on an average day, and maybe 40Ah on a good long sunny day. So you can see that many people can last indefinitely with one 100W solar panel, as long as it's sunny.

When you have had a few nights experience, you will get to know how long a battery will last for you. Knowing the size of the battery, you can then estimate what size of panel you'll need to replenish your daily usage. Everyone is different, some manage fine with 100W, some struggle with 500W.