solar panel

[angusboy]

Hi what sort of cost am I looking at to run 2x110 amp batteries by solar panel regards steve

 

[tonka]

The question does not really make sense...
A solar panel will produce whatever it can depending on weather and it's output design. The batteries will store whatever they can until they are full..
First thing is see what roof space you have available, then depending on the size of your wallet fit what you can afford or want to spend..

I have just bought a 120w panel for £82... My Autotrail has a built in solar regulator that will take 120w, so an easy match.. Have 2x 110amp batts fitted...

 

[pappajohn]

To charge purely by solar......not worth it, you can't rely on the sun shining or for how long.
You really need another charge source as well.

 

[angusboy]

Thanks

 

[tonka]

@stephen harwood what motorhome do you have ???
As I mentioned above some have built in regulators so you could add a first panel at quite reasonable cost...

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[pappajohn]

As a guide....

Batteries £100 each.
Solar panel £80 > £100
Regulator £30

Labour...who can say

 

[angusboy]

Bessacar e745 just bought 2 new batteries thanks

 

[angusboy]

Thanks john

 

[Drexxer]

The question does not really make sense...
A solar panel will produce whatever it can depending on weather and it's output design. The batteries will store whatever they can until they are full..
First thing is see what roof space you have available, then depending on the size of your wallet fit what you can afford or want to spend..

I have just bought a 120w panel for £82... My Autotrail has a built in solar regulator that will take 120w, so an easy match.. Have 2x 110amp batts fitted...

Hi, if you don't mind me asking what make / size is the panel as I'm thinking of upgrading mine

Andy

 

[pappajohn]

Hi, if you don't mind me asking what make / size is the panel as I'm thinking of upgrading mine

Andy

I have just bought a 120w panel for £82

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[tonka]

Hi, if you don't mind me asking what make / size is the panel as I'm thinking of upgrading mine

Andy

This is the one, I put an offer of £82 and it was accepted straight away. Only came the other day so not fitted / tested yet.
I only noticed after the buy button that its a "poly crystal" where as in the past I have always bought "Mono". In reality I dont think there will be much difference, both types have their pro's and Con's.
Broken Link Removed

 

[pappajohn]

Polychrystalline is about 70% of the efficiency of monochrystalline.

I believe poly is a man made chrystal whereas mono is a natural chrystal.

 

[angusboy]

Thanks tonka

 

[Vlad The Impaler]

To charge purely by solar......not worth it, you can't rely on the sun shining or for how long.
You really need another charge source as well.

In my experience not true ,I have 180 watts on my roof and 2 110 amp batteries ,I have led lights and a 12 v tv and games machine I also charge my phones and tablets via 12 v leads.
When you drive to your destination your putting charge in and unless your a heavy power user the above set up will be more than enough for a leisure camper .It. would not however suit long camping off grid in the middle of winter,in summer you'd never come near to running low.
As far as costs goes you can get a couple of panels and a regulator off ebay with all the bits and bobs for under £200 .It is an easy DIY job however if your not sure for a case of beer I'm sure you could tempt a handy Funster to help you




Vlad

 

[pappajohn]

And if the sun doesn't shine for 4 or 5 days.....not unusual in the UK.

I would still want a backup charge source or I could be sat in the dark.

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[Deleted member 29692]

Ours seems to cope OK. We have 200W and 2x110ah. This winter we've been off grid a lot and never had any problems.

 

[Vlad The Impaler]

Pappajohn A man of your experience should know that two good 110 amp batteries could last 4 or 5 days or longer without any input from solar.
Also the sun doesn't have to be out 24 /7 We camp in Scotland in the summer and may not see the sun for a good few days but always have full charge by mid morning!




Vlad

 

[angusboy]

Would gladly buy crate of beer any offers?

 

[tonka]

Would gladly buy crate of beer any offers?

Steve, there is plenty of info already in the solar section about DIY fitting...
You can even ask here as you go along... If you can use a drill, apply sealant and connect a few wires you are sorted..

Using the drill through your roof for the first time is the killer !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[angusboy]

Thanks mate

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[Vlad The Impaler]

I think you've hit the nail on the head Tonks .
I'm quite handy when it comes to DIY but mix in electrics and your pride and joy and it's squeaky bum time !
I thankfully was helped by a Funster who" wasn't luck but deserved it ".
That was the kind of spirit that endeared me to this forum and hopefully someone near will help this fellow Funster !



Vlad

 

[tonka]

I did my first one after reading all the tips on a forum, sadly not this one..
Since then done 2 for myself and several people I know have bought same equipment and done their own DIY.
It's always nice to have someone on hand and even seen some people doing their own fitting or for others while on a rally field.. I think that's where you get the free beer as well !!

Where's Techno ?? He would usually be on here by now and has posted some very helpful info on the subject.

 

[eddie]

We charge £549 installed. Less 10% Funsters discount so £495. We only use the Victron MPPT and have personally tested it along side many other MPPT reg with fantastic performance. RRP is £109.95 so £385.00

In our opinion no points having a decent solar set up unless it judges the leisure batteries and engine battery. We use our own battery master which is £120 installed, so £285.00

The cost of 100 W panel say on average £120.00, A tube of the decent adhesive sealant £10, set of feet £20, a waterproof gland £5 A bit of conduit and a few screws, a fiver. So say £125.00

Average installation time say between two and three hours at £60 an hour, and a nights free camping on Cornish Farm Touring Park £18.00

Lots of people say that it is a simple job, every job is if you know how to do it!

It is to be fair more time-consuming than technical under normal circumstances, and it is cheaper DIY if you don't value your time, and forget the true costs of all of the bits.

I really not suggesting that it's better to have it fitted professionally if you have the time and skill to do it yourself. I'm merely pointing out that if you don't feel confident about doing it yourself, fitted professionally may not be quite as expensive as you think when you add up all the costs, using like for like components

And of course you get a warranty

 

[Jim]

Pappajohn A man of your experience should know that two good 110 amp batteries could last 4 or 5 days or longer without any input from solar.

Of course, that depends on what power you are taking out. If its cold and you are running heating, then those blowers can kill a couple of 110's quite easily in a very short time.

 

[Drexxer]

Good post Eddie, when you break it all down it makes sense, also we know we are getting decent components, I am perfectly capable of the fitting side BUT I do not like buggering around with wiring in my pride and joy!,

Andy

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[Vlad The Impaler]

Of course, that depends on what power you are taking out. If its cold and you are running heating, then those blowers can kill a couple of 110's quite easily in a very short time.

I agree but I'd like to think those of us that have the set up being discussed would know not to use the blowers and tailor their usage to suit.
In my first post I did imply that it would not be ideally suited to extended periods off grid in winter. I and I'm sure a few others manage fine with the 2 batteries and a couple of pannels all year round . To imply that it's not possible or wise to rely purely on solar is misleading.



Vlad[/QUOTE]

 

[MitchandJenny]

We have 2 x 100ah batteries and a 100watt solar, we only went on a campsite for 2 nights during our last 3 months in Spain (April, May, June ) But I wouldn't like to try that with cold nights and dull days during December, January or February...
We are going to somewhere in Spain for our first "overwintering with the snowbirds" experience at the end of this year (Not Benidorm). We havn't yet decided where, but somewhere quiet....
We will definitely need hookup !!!
Mitch.

 

[Wildman]

To charge purely by solar......not worth it, you can't rely on the sun shining or for how long.
You really need another charge source as well.

I have one bank of 2 x 110 amp/hr batteries that are charged solely by Solar, one 80W panel angled at the sun and aligned due south ensure we have 6-8 hours of TV a day in the summer we have never run out, in fact never charged by anything else for the past 4 years on trips away up to 3 weeks. Though we have added a second 80W to ensure we can manage in the winter as well. Our van used as an office during the day all year round and TV on for at least 3 hours a day so it can be done. phones and laptop charged via an inverter (because its there anyway during the morning and other batteries up to full power by lunchtime. It really depends how much you take out.

 

[irnbru]

My Autotrail has a built in solar regulator that will take 120w, s

How do I know if I have a built in one on our Autotrail? Please.

 

[Techno]

Polychrystalline is about 70% of the efficiency of monochrystalline.

I believe poly is a man made chrystal whereas mono is a natural chrystal.

Watt for watt Poly requires more surface area than Mono so a 100 watt poly is physically bigger for the same output BUT Mono produces better than Poly in less sunny conditions.
Poly are natural crystals hence the lack of uniformity and the fragmentation.
Mono are man made
3x100 mono 1200x540mm each

I installed these February 2013

Beware at shows! I have witnessed more than one trader advertising poly panels as mono and most buyers don't have a clue

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