Should i invest in a solar panel for Glastonbury Festival

Fatboy1960

Fatboy1960

Joined
Jan 9, 2020
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Location
Merseyside
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67,905
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Swift 685
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I’m a newbie
We usually stay on sites with EHU, but we have tickets for Glastonbury in June and will be on site for 5/6 days.

There is no EHU.

We have a swift escape 2019 The fridge and heating run off gas as does the hot water but I will need some power and i only have the bog standard factory fitted leisure battery

1 Will I get away without a solar panel for 5 days
2 if not can anyone recommend a place in the North West (im baed in Liverpool) who can tell me what i need supply and fit (ive read the threads and its all a bit complicated for me!)

Thanks in advance
 
Get a diesel generator 😂


Only joking 🙄

I’m guessing you won’t be watching much tv etc so consumption will be low.

You may just get away with running the engine for a bit.

Or buy a suitcase solar panel.

HTH
 
Probably better to invest in some M&S tyres. :LOL:

As to your question. It all depends on your total energy draw but I doubt it would last 5 days if you run the heating fan. Just the fridge control and water controls with the odd led light might be ok.

We have solar and it does the job.
 
You don't say what size battery bank you have, if at least 200ah you should just about survive if you are very careful.
 
As your van is only 2019, I'd fit solar and a Battery Master .

With the Battery master it then means the solar will changed both Leisure and Engine batteries, so no flat batteries.
Given the power drain caused by radios, trackers, alarms etc, any van that is not driven regularly (like most MoHo's in the middle of winter) solar power really should not be 'optional'

The place to get it fitted is of course is VanBitz, you will be driving past their front door on your way to Glastonbury.
Just book up an extra night on their site next door to the workshop

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You could try phoning J A HUNTER. St Helens Sdrvice and Mot centre, Lancotts Lane, St helens, WA9 3EX.

They MAY be able to help or advise.
 
If you can afford to purchase and have fitted then a good investment for future use as well as Glastonbury. However if not otherwise needed, you might get away with it. Depends on how many of you using the water pumps, (forget about heating for June and of course TV not required), and then the lights - are they all LED? You could have a practice run before then on your drive.
The van alarm should come from your vehicle battery and I assume you know that lasts a week?
A few led battery lamps would be a cheap backup.
I wouldn’t be surprised if there are others running their engines or using a generator!
 
My first investment would be a second leisure battery, that instantly doubles your capacity as you will have charged up at home and while travelling.
A solar panel is definatly the next step..

Hopefully as its June you wont really use much, wont need lights till late and if your at a concert most likely be out most of the time.. Wont be like a winter month where your sat in front of a TV and running heating fans..
 
Brains said:
As your van is only 2019, I'd fit solar and a Battery Master .

With the Battery master it then means the solar will changed both Leisure and Engine batteries, so no flat batteries.
Given the power drain caused by radios, trackers, alarms etc, any van that is not driven regularly (like most MoHo's in the middle of winter) solar power really should not be 'optional'

The place to get it fitted is of course is VanBitz, you will be driving past their front door on your way to Glastonbury.
Just book up an extra night on their site next door to the workshop
Click to expand...
Well about 25 miles past Glastonbury from Merseyside to be accurate.
 
if it’s just for Glastonbury you could by a portable solar panel and regulator and connect to your leisure b
attery

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We have a couple of 120w folding panels.They weigh about 5 kg each,one fits nicely inside the the front windscreen hung from the sun visor mounts.
You'll need to find a way of connecting it to the leisure battery,crocodile clips may work, depends on the access.
I hard wired an Anderson plug to both batteries. If your with the van,the panel can be put outside the van on the windscreen, where it will generate more power. We
Mike
 

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thanks for all the fast and helpful replies,

I think its too close to call so will probably go for a solar panel it was a nice idea to go to vanbiz en route to glasto but unfortunately our schedule wont allow :) Ill give the St Helens guy a ring but any additional recommendations for supplying and fitting in the North west would be appreciated
 
We go every year with grandkids and other family/ friends, all in or camping next to van . This year the first one for new van so assume will be fine - old van only had I leisure battery no solar panel and we never ran out of electricity.. phones charged with portable solar panel ( put it on roof through skylight) gas for fridge , heating water for showers etc. water pump takes power so filled kettle flushed loo with water from other sources. We stay for5 nights family come for 4 or 3 , it’s light outside until small hours so we don’t use lights in van . Generators not allowed and it’s very anti social to run engine for an hour to charge phones. Charging points on the site are available.:love:
 
Regarding recommendation, I’ve got “auto additions nationwide“ coming to fit a 150w solar panel with battery master next week to my Motorhome. They are based in Derbyshire with nationwide coverage. Haven’t used them before but saw a few recommendations on here and their online reviews look very good.
 
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We’ve been going to Glastonbury for years and have always managed with just leisure batteries. You will be out every night and tired when you get back. You won’t use that much power.

I would recommend you go in with 100% water though as the water points are tortuously slow. Avoid showering too much, no one will care if you are a bit smelly
 
One more bit of advice. If you are in the East CV Fields try and arrive Tuesday. You can end up a long way from the gate if you arrive later. We normally camp up in a layby on Monday night and head in first thing.

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Fatboy1960 said:
thanks for all the fast and helpful replies,

I think its too close to call so will probably go for a solar panel it was a nice idea to go to vanbiz en route to glasto but unfortunately our schedule wont allow :) Ill give the St Helens guy a ring but any additional recommendations for supplying and fitting in the North west would be appreciated
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Motörhead Fun said:
One more bit of advice. If you are in the East CV Fields try and arrive Tuesday. You can end up a long way from the gate if you arrive later. We normally camp up in a layby on Monday night and head in first thing.
Click to expand...
See you in the fields ❤️❤️
 
Sorry guys I wont need electric I will go home every night only live down the road have a great time
 

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