Solar panel addition first M/H

[3crispies]

Just ordering a Weinsberg compact and want the dealer to fit solar, question is they are suggesting 100w but is this enough I was thinking 200w maybe. LB Battery is 95ah and fridge is Thetford 142l which I believe has a night mode. Our previous camper was only really using a small fridge and a few lights which had a 100w fitted and obviously a motorhome has more accessories. We will probably only be off grid for a maximum of 3 nights could we fit larger controller and leave connections for 2nd panel ?.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Is it a compressor fridge? Can't find it from the number.

 

[Tombola]

You will probably use the same amount in the larger van as you did before.
You dont wanting to be running your fridge from solar unless you are going to at least 400-500 minimum & a load of lithium.

yes you can fit a larger controller and 6mm cables for future proofing (make sure the dealer doesent put in tiny cables) but depends what controller they are fitting. Try and get an MPPT one not a PWM if you can afford it.

its not too hard to do yourself if you are competent and can get up on the roof.

 

[Richard n Ann]

The Votronic DUO (MPPT) controllers also maintain the van starter battery so you can use the radio without draining it

 

[autorouter]

If the single panel has standard MC4 connectors you can get Y adapters to connect a second panel in parallel. The total panel amps will be double, so that's why the thicker wire was suggested. A controller that can handle two panels in parallel will be fine for a single panel.

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[dosser]

Just ordering a Weinsberg compact and want the dealer to fit solar, question is they are suggesting 100w but is this enough I was thinking 200w maybe. LB Battery is 95ah and fridge is Thetford 142l which I believe has a night mode. Our previous camper was only really using a small fridge and a few lights which had a 100w fitted and obviously a motorhome has more accessories. We will probably only be off grid for a maximum of 3 nights could we fit larger controller and leave connections for 2nd panel ?.

We have just got an Adria twin which has the compressor fridge ie electric only, not 3 way like the rest we have had. Initially we had 1 120w solar panel with a 100amp battery. We would comfortably get 3 days without ehu, it was sunny mind you.
We have recently swapped the battery for a 200amp lithium one as we don't want to reliant on hookup and have a 295watt solar panel on order.
It all depends on what you are using and the weather how long it will last.
Cheers. Kenny.

 

[Tombola]

We have just got an Adria twin which has the compressor fridge ie electric only, not 3 way like the rest we have had. Initially we had 1 120w solar panel with a 100amp battery. We would comfortably get 3 days without ehu, it was sunny mind you.
We have recently swapped the battery for a 200amp lithium one as we don't want to reliant on hookup and have a 295watt solar panel on order.
It all depends on what you are using and the weather how long it will last.
Cheers. Kenny.

What sort of amps does that fridge pull Kenny do you know ?

 

[dosser]

What sort of amps does that fridge pull Kenny do you know ?

By the looks of it when the fridge kicks in, it seems to sit at about 4amps draw, but obviously doesn't run at this constantly.

 

[headlight]

We've got a 115watt panel and Victron system and 2 X 100ah lead acid leisure batteries.
Vanbitz said 115watt was the biggest panel we had room for.
I was initially disappointed as I wanted (and thought we needed) 200watts.
However we've now had, since the solar was fitted about 6 weeks ago, 5 x 4 nights off EHU trips and are now 4 nights into a 14 nights off EHU trip.
Fridge and hot water are on gas, TV and Hi-Fi system off an inverter plus obviously lights, water pump phone chargers on 12v.
It turns out we're light users only using about 30 amps per day max.
The lowest the batteries have been is 12.45v or about 85%.
They are fully charged by noon each day, although we have been lucky with the weather.
So depending on usage a 100 watt solar set up can be fine if you're a light electric user.

 

[Billy192]

i would fit as much as you can i am looking at putting 300 - 400 on the roof of my Autotrail and a 300AH lith batt if i can plug in i will if i cant (including winter) the solar should be fine for 10 is days at a time.
Billy

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[Tombola]

i would fit as much as you can i am looking at putting 300 - 400 on the roof of my Autotrail and a 300AH lith batt if i can plug in i will if i cant (including winter) the solar should be fine for 10 is days at a time.
Billy

Do 400 if you can...And a decent b2b I assume Billy. I did the same (400 batts) and hardly ever plug in now. Just run my inverter almost permanently

 

[Billy192]

i dont like B2B as it hits the alternator too much, the 400 should be enough. i can just squeeze 400 on
Billy