Portable solar ?

patricia the newbie

patricia the newbie

Joined
Jan 5, 2017
Posts
427
Likes collected
400
Location
brinklow warwickshire
Funster No
46,758
MH
Romahome duo hylo
Exp
since 2016
I took my romahome hylo to Dave Newall for a few items including putting solar on my roof.
He would NOT do it because my roof raises and lowers .Have any funsters a good recommendation for portable solar solutions?
 
When I had my small home conversion PCV I used one of these for quite a long time with no issues.

The only negative I could think of....is the cable is relatively short to the crocodile clips, but I extended it, well replaced it with longer cable actually.

Folds very small and is very light in comparison to the folding aluminium ones....which I’ve also had.

ECO-WORTHY 120 Watts Foldable Solar Panel with Charge Controller DC Output Outdoor Portable Charger in Suitcase for camper RV Hiking Laptop Tablet iPhone Amazon product ASIN B07RVG179M
 
Dave Newall has a good reputation from what I have read but I saw a pop top VW T5 last time we were away with a solar panel on the roof. It looked like it was stuck on.
Perhaps a second option would be worth it.
 
I’m guessing here....but I’d imagine Dave’s reluctance would not be related to the fixing to the roof, rather, not wanting future issues with cable failure due to fatigue at the moving ‘hinge’ of the roof.

I’m sure there are plenty of home installers that have done it as am I sure plenty of company’s would take your money and do it.
 
patricia the newbie said:
I took my romahome hylo to Dave Newall for a few items including putting solar on my roof.
He would NOT do it because my roof raises and lowers .Have any funsters a good recommendation for portable solar solutions?
Click to expand...
www.solartechnology.co.uk

Fold-Up Solar Panels | PV Logic Fold-Up Solar Panel Systems

Ideal for camping & caravanning, our PV Logic range of fold-up solar panels are easy to use. Just open up & connect to a battery for instant power.
www.solartechnology.co.uk www.solartechnology.co.uk

I have about three of different sizes, a 90Watt which I used with our T5 a small fold up one for one of my cars that I do not use very often and a slightly bigger flat panel that fits on the Dash have a look at the website and you will find outlets for the product ( I think the Halford 6W is probably from these guys.

I should add they also provide good support for their products.
 
XxAnthxX said:
I’m guessing here....but I’d imagine Dave’s reluctance would not be related to the fixing to the roof, rather, not wanting future issues with cable failure due to fatigue at the moving ‘hinge’ of the roof.

I’m sure there are plenty of home installers that have done it as am I sure plenty of company’s would take your money and do it.
Click to expand...

He might also have been concerned that the extra weight might cause failure in the raising/lowering mechanism, or require additional gas struts etc.
 
Ivory55 said:
One plus for a portable is that you can aim it at the morning sun and be getting more power in then one flat on the roof.
Click to expand...
Again when I had the small conversion I’d ‘follow’ the sun with the panel...not religiously moving it, but depending on location move it from ‘morning’ to ’evening’ to maximise output.
 
XxAnthxX said:
Again when I had the small conversion I’d ‘follow’ the sun with the panel...not religiously moving it, but depending on location move it from ‘morning’ to ’evening’.
Click to expand...
That is what we did with the T5 and as you say it just optimised the available sun power

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Search Dokio fold up panels.
Very slim, lightweight and portable. You can get from places like Ali express or Amazon.
 
tonka said:
Search Dokio fold up panels.
Very slim, lightweight and portable. You can get from places like Ali express or Amazon.
Click to expand...
Indeed you could but as I say these guys give great back up service which is something you want particularly if you have invested in a 90W panel,

You can find a stockist near you :) https://www.solartechnology.co.uk/stockists/
 
I notice solar technology have a picture of a van with a pop up roof, I need someone to supply and fit I thought the wires could go at the front as that people part of the roof doesn't move much compared to the back
 
There will be other companies who will be willing and able to supply and fit and at least your aware of any potential issues and can keep a check for any arising.
 
I'm surprised to be honest, so long as the cable isn't under tension and put on at a point where the movement isn't too great it would take a lot to cause issues with it I should think. This would of course be for a semi-flexible panel rather than a standard panel which would be too heavy IMV anyway.
 
I have wanted many jobs doing over the years, some say it's not possible because ( 1 ) they don't want to do it , ( 2 ) it's a time consuming job and they don't have the time, 😉 I have normally ended up doing it myself. 😁

The free standing solar panels work well 🤔 but..................... you have to store it, and worry about it when you leave it unattended. 🙂

When you have one fixed to the roof, its working the whole time, you fit and forget, 🤔 check out flexible solar panels, you can buy the kits that have everything with them, just need a man with a drill that can connect two wires from your battery to the regulator then up to the panel, 😉 I'm sure if you turned up at somewhere like a Jaws bash where we met you, someone would fit it for you. 😀 Bob.

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As mentioned shop around, there are many mobile caravan / motorhome engineers. You can easily obtain all the kit off the internet then pay someone their labour rate for installation. Have you asked DMS or Central Leisure services who are both near Nuneaton and Funsters ??
A panel fitted on the roof will be the best solution but you do need to be aware of the cable flexing but that should be allowed for in the installation.

Another though as I type, fit the panel on the roof with a weatherproof box containing a connector point, do the same inside with your controller. You could then manually connect a cable between the two each time you pitch up. Would only take a few seconds and avoids the strain on cable. (y) (y) SORTED :clap2:

EDIT.. Just seen Jaws post... See something like that with connectors on each end..

plugs.. Amazon product ASIN B07BCFBLFD
 
I am happy to pay for someone to supply and fit, as tbh I have no idea what I should be ordering myself, which is why I wanted to go to a reputable company to do the whole job
That sounds a good idea jaws has suggested
 
bigwood said:
Dave Newall has a good reputation from what I have read but I saw a pop top VW T5 last time we were away with a solar panel on the roof. It looked like it was stuck on.
Perhaps a second option would be worth it.
Click to expand...
Yes I have seen them on pop up roofs,,BUSBY.
 
Ihave to admit that a roof fitted solution would be ideal, I can see two draw backs to portable, carrying a panel and the biggest, security, there must be a way around this and I'm determined to find a way

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patricia the newbie said:
Ihave to admit that a roof fitted solution would be ideal, I can see two draw backs to portable, carrying a panel and the biggest, security, there must be a way around this and I'm determined to find a way
Click to expand...
A U bolt through the frame and a chain and lock to the van. Some super glue on the threads of the U bolt to slow them up. But at the end of the day everything can be stolen, it’s just how much effort and how much they want it plus the risk factor.
 
patricia the newbie said:
I took my romahome hylo to Dave Newall for a few items including putting solar on my roof.
He would NOT do it because my roof raises and lowers .Have any funsters a good recommendation for portable solar solutions?
Click to expand...
XxAnthxX said:
When I had my small home conversion PCV I used one of these for quite a long time with no issues.

The only negative I could think of....is the cable is relatively short to the crocodile clips, but I extended it, well replaced it with longer cable actually.

Folds very small and is very light in comparison to the folding aluminium ones....which I’ve also had.

ECO-WORTHY 120 Watts Foldable Solar Panel with Charge Controller DC Output Outdoor Portable Charger in Suitcase for camper RV Hiking Laptop Tablet iPhone Amazon product ASIN B07RVG179M
Click to expand...

I have the same Solar panel as XxAnthxX has recommended, had it for a few years now mainly used it for camping under plastic, before this year when we got our first Motorhome. It has also been used with the Van as I rewired it to run a Solar power box I built to go with it. I installed an New MPPT charge controller in to the Van so I can plug straight in to it, which is also ready to take a new panel once I get round to buying one.
If you bought the Eco Worth Panel I would recommend bypassing the charge controller as it not that good and getting a MPPT one as they are far more efficient at havesting energy. I used a waterproof 3 way box to put the wires from the panels into and the a two wire out with MC4 connectors so I can plug them into my Solar power box.
 
I have been in touch with Chris Williams of Falcon Technology, he was recommended to me.

He said he could fit a flexible panel on my roof without a problem as this kind of thing is all they do I bought up the wires and other problems mentioned to me , like overheating etc and he was able to answer these for me and he came over as very confident .
His reviews were very good and tbh I think I'll go with him, although I have another firm to see . DMS at Nuneaton next Monday
 
I'm in Cornwall at the moment. I have seen lots of VW campers with the large solar panel on the elevating roof.

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