Solar Panel

[John Kennedy]

Hi...i have a question about solar panels.
I have a 2011 Bessacarr E 425. I have all the normal problems with my leisure and engine batteries draining over the winter (and sometimes summer depending on how much i use it)
I would like to fit a solar panel to keep both batteries well charged summer and winter. My leisure battery is a Numax LV26MF 100ah.....I am not sure what type my engine battery is but its a Ducato 2.2. engine.
Can anyone recommend what size and type of solar panel i would need ??

 

[andy63]

Its really impossible to say as ee all use our vans diffrently but from your description and roof space permitting I'd be putting 200+watts on the roof and most probably a second battery..
Whether you fit a dual solar controller to keep the batteries charged or a single controller to the leisure batteries and a battery master type device for the start battery is a choice you would have to make..
My thoughts anyway..
Andy.

 

[Richard n Ann]

If you are a light user of electric with LED lighting, water pump, bit of TV in the evening and phone charger you'd probably be ok with a 100w panel (definitely OK in summer)
Ours is 150w and is plenty big enough for us, gives 2.5 amp charge in white cloud.

PS the Votronic duo controllers charge both batteries ?

 

[Brains]

If you are a light user of electric with LED lighting, water pump, bit of TV in the evening and phone charger you'd probably be ok with a 100w panel (definitely OK in summer)
Ours is 150w and is plenty big enough for us, gives 2.5 amp charge in white cloud.

PS the Votronic duo controllers charge both batteries ?

Does your 150W charge up your batteries in the middle of a UK winter ?

 

[Richard n Ann]

Does your 150W charge up your batteries in the middle of a UK winter ?

Yes we are light users so the battery doesn't get very discharged over night usually by lunchtime it's recharged. The only time it does virtually nothing is when under thick black clouds.
It gives over 9 amps in summer sunshine ?

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[Richard n Ann]

Get a battery monitor like the NASA bm1 too, great bit of kit.

 

[Lenny HB]

To keep the batteries topped up over the winter and just summer use 100 W will be fine. If you intend to spend a lot of time off grid fit as many as you can get on the roof.
To get the best out of them fit a decent MPPT regulator such as the Votroinc or Victron.

 

[Richard n Ann]

We used to manage with a 40w free standing panel, but it had to be propped up in the sun. Used to give 2.5 amps and we'd be recharged for lunch.

All depends on how much you use. Also I would check what the standby current drain is on the van, (the drain taken from the leisure battery with nothing switched on except the on switch) that makes a difference too

 

[Lenny HB]

We used to manage with a 40w free standing panel, but it had to be propped up in the sun. Used to give 2.5 amps and we'd be recharged for lunch.

But you are a lightweight, some of us are power hungry.

 

[Brains]

Maybe a silly question.
Am I correct in assuming that leasure battery is being charged up whilst you are driving, same as engine battrery

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[Richard n Ann]

Maybe a silly question.
Am I correct in assuming that leasure battery is being charged up whilst you are driving, same as engine battrery

It should be yes.

 

[DBK]

Maybe a silly question.
Am I correct in assuming that leasure battery is being charged up whilst you are driving, same as engine battrery

Yes, the solar will still be working with the vehicle moving though the vehicle alternator will probably be doing the heavy lifting through whatever system the MH has, commonly a split charge relay.

 

[Richard n Ann]

But you are a lightweight, some of us are power hungry.

Lenny can often be seen flying high above Brighton. Here he is (on a cloudy day) ?

?

 

[GeoffnDee]

You may find your Bessacarr is pre wired for a solar panel (it was on a E520 I had) and if you have the Sargent power control unit fitted it should have the split charge feature which, with a solar power controller fitted, will take care of both batteries The Sargent website has a lot of information which can help or they are very helpful on the phone.