Recommend me a specialist solar/battery supplier

[Lucky]

I'm not a complete newbie but my future is likely to involve more off-grid / low season campervanning than I've done before and I'm looking to buy the right solar / battery set up at the first attempt for my new PVC.

I've read numerous threads on here about other Funster's set ups and I suspect me posting another might be a yawn inducing experience.

So my question for those in the know is to please recommend a specialist that can specify and instal a solution that will need my needs.

I know I can ask the mh dealer that's ordered my PVC from the factory but I sense this is a complex subject and I'd prefer to speak with an expert.

I'm relatively relaxed about where they're located within mainland UK.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Snowbird]

Solar/battery setups are not difficult to install yourself. Your only problem is how big your roof space is to accommodate the biggest solar array possible. Once you have installed the solar panels, you need as much battery capacity to hold the charge that they produce. Its as simple as that.
For example, I have 300 watts of solar feeding 260 amps of battery bank with another 120 amp battery being fed by a relay once the main battery bank is full. This separate battery has a 4000 watt inverter connected to it for when cook wants to use her hair curlers. This ensures my main battery bank does not leave me high and dry.

 

[MikeD]

dave newell lvs installed our solar panel - don't forget to ask for the Funster discount.

He is near Telford. Nice guy and great job.

There is a good camp site very near his site and we spent a couple of nights there and days at the Gorge attractions.

 

[Lucky]

You make it sound simple for some.
However my head spins when I read about styles of panel, battery technologies (lead acid, AGM, Gel and lithium), B2B and MPPT (whatever that means).

And that's before calculating my requirements or designing a solution.

This might make me sound a wuss but I really want a specialist to guide me through the process.

 

[Snowbird]

You make it sound simple for some.
However my head spins when I read about styles of panel, battery technologies (lead acid, AGM, Gel and lithium), B2B and MPPT (whatever that means).

And that's before calculating my requirements or designing a solution.

This might make me sound a wuss but I really want a specialist to guide me through the process.

]
OK, sorry I made it sound easy,but in fact even a specialist can only fit panels to what you have space for on the roof. Anyone will tell you that you cannot have too much solar up there, fit as much as you have room for. Regarding battery capacity, thats the same formula, fit as much as you can.

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[Lucky]

Point taken, thanks Snowbird.

I've read somewhere that its possible to damage batteries by overcharging with to much solar, so some form of controller is required?

 

[Clarky]

Try RoadPro at Daventry or VanBitz at Taunton.
Both offer a discount to Funsters, both are specialists and both advertise on this site.

I’m sure both Andy at RoadPro and Eddie at VanBitz will be very happy to advise.

Richard.

 

[Snowbird]

Point taken, thanks Snowbird.

I've read somewhere that its possible to damage batteries by overcharging with to much solar, so some form of controller is required?

Batteries cannot be overcharged as long as a good quality solar regulator is fitted in line.

 

[HandyAndy]

fit as mush solar as the roof will take
Fit as many batteries as your wallet and your weight allowance can handle.
It's pretty much that simple..

The only caveat to that on a larger battery bank you need a larger solar system to get an effective charge rate..
It's no good having a 1000ah battery bank and only being able to charge it back up at 20 amps

But in reality you wouldn't ever really need a battery bank larger than say 4 x 100 ah in a PVC anyway so it's a moot point..

It's not even complex science. Find some solar panels that match the dimensions of your roof well (so they don't over hang the sides and placed evenly they cover as much space as possible down the length.)
Once the dimensions are chosen, take those panel details from the spec sheet, add them all up to get your maximum possible output and buy a charge controller to suit that amp range. If the total of the panels maximum output adds up to 33 amps, get a 40 amp charge controller.
Nothing more difficult than that.

 

[Dirtyhands]

Hopson caravan services near Chester are very good. He designed and installed a great system to suit our needs.

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[grasscutter]

From your post, is this a new vehicle on order? If so make sure that any work will not impact on your warranty if not carried out by the supplying dealer.

 

[eddie]

From your post, is this a new vehicle on order? If so make sure that any work will not impact on your warranty if not carried out by the supplying dealer.

It wouldn’t

 

[Lucky]

Try RoadPro at Daventry or VanBitz at Taunton.
Both offer a discount to Funsters, both are specialists and both advertise on this site.

I’m sure both Andy at RoadPro and Eddie at VanBitz will be very happy to advise.

Richard.

Just what I need, thank you Richard