Solar Panels (1 Viewer)

Oct 20, 2019
24
5
Funster No
65,894
MH
C class
Exp
0
Good evening all

I’m new to having a motor home. I’m wanting to buy a portable solar panel to top up my battery when on site. Please can anyone give some recommendations on good ones and what power I should go for. I’ve look at a 100w one.
regards
Alex
 

Campervan_man

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Jun 24, 2019
997
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Dethleffs Globebus
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2000
Even though I fit solar panels for people on boats, motorhomes, vans and caravans { including My own Dethleffs Globebus I recommend having one fitted on your roof.
Less clutter in your leisure vehicle, less hassle on site, battery continually charges etc etc
 
OP
OP
Alexandra
Oct 20, 2019
24
5
Funster No
65,894
MH
C class
Exp
0
Hi thank you for the response. How much is it to have one fitted ?
alex

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Campervan_man

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Jun 24, 2019
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Hi, I don't think I am allowed to advertise on this forum.
I advertise mainly on ebay,leaflet drop, recomendation, facebook etc

 
Apr 27, 2016
6,800
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A class Hymer
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Since the 80s
If the single leisure battery normally lasts you a couple of days, then a 100 watt panel will probably be enough, in the summer months. But the bigger the better. You may find it's not much more expensive to fit 160 watts.

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Feb 9, 2008
8,924
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Since 2007
Here you go. I've used these myself and there top of the range., i carried mine behind the drivers seat when not in use. However, agree permanently mounted S.P. on the roof is the way to go and if you choose this route make sure you have a shed load of S.P. up there.

 
Oct 31, 2018
53
313
Redruth, Cornwall
Funster No
57,003
MH
Roller Team Peg 590
Exp
since 2009
Totally agree with the comments regarding roof mounting, however if you really want a portable system I have one on Ebay at the minute. Item number 184001430654. If you like it message me on here and I will reduce it.
 
Aug 5, 2018
1,567
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a
roof mount every time...
My portable one is a pain in the ass TBH, wind seems to find a way of blowing over no nmatter what I do with it and then when I go out I'm always worrying if someone is going to walk off with it..

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That's about it really.
+ fitting (someone above maybe able to give you a rough idea for labour)..

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ambulancekidd

Funster
Sep 23, 2014
10,303
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Ayrshire Scotland
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33,478
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Swift Kon-Tiki 640
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Since 1964 Gosh that makes me feel old.
:hi2:hellowelcome Good luck with your solar panel quest, we're looking for solar too, so we'll watch this thread with interest.
 
Jun 10, 2013
411
268
Sussex
Funster No
26,431
MH
van conversion
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Festivals
Can I also ask for folding panel recommendations. There's so many and I've no idea of brand, quality of if I'm comparing like with like. My plan is put some miles on the van then upgrade to one that already has roof mounted panels so for now I'd just like something folding. I'm thinking of 100w or a little less.
 
Mar 30, 2019
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Trigano Tribute
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Have a look at Photonic universe they do the fold up kits

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Aug 5, 2018
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I have two from GGX energy on Amazon. they fold up to about the size of your average shopping bag. 100w each and they come with a cheap little PWM controller.
I use both of them on the roof of a couple of my cars I don't use regularly.

one of them on the windscreen of my disco whilst I was away camping with a 12v compressor fridge and an iPhone charger. it kept that tip top without issue.
When I went back to the same supplier for the second one, they did say they had a better model available at half the size (same wattage) but I opted to keep the one I had as I knew it performed pretty well for a "flexible" type.

This is not the exact model i bought but the same cocept from same company.
Amazon product ASIN B01FYR63QS
 
Jun 17, 2019
478
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East Yorkshire
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61,697
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Just looking
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One a newbie
Still looking myself, can’t decide wether I should buy high voltage/low amps or lower voltage/high amps!
The Victron panels look good value also as I have a black roof the cigs ones.
 
Jan 19, 2014
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Elddis Accordo 105
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The good thing about free standing is you can stand them facing the sun so they will still produce near maximum power when the sun is low in the sky. I used to lock mine to the van with a mini padlock and security wire, just stops the opportunist.

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funflair

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Dec 11, 2013
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Still looking myself, can’t decide wether I should buy high voltage/low amps or lower voltage/high amps!
The Victron panels look good value also as I have a black roof the cigs ones.
The volts/amps thing will sort itself out to watts at the end of the day as that is the actual power of the panel, no real point in having more than a nominal 20v panel and I would go mppt controller.

Martin
 
Apr 27, 2016
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Still looking myself, can’t decide wether I should buy high voltage/low amps or lower voltage/high amps!
Depends on the type of controller. With an MPPT type, it doesn't make any difference, the controller has an intelligent algorithm that will cope with any voltage and current, as long as they are within the specification limits.

With a PWM type, the voltage has to be within an optimum range. Too low, and the battery doesn't charge much, too high and you are getting bursts of high voltage to the battery, which it doesn't like much. The voltage of panels intended for vehicles is usually OK - 20 to 36 volts is fine.
 
Jun 17, 2019
478
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Just looking
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Getting Victron mppt , thanks think I know what I’m doing now?

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Jun 10, 2013
411
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Sussex
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van conversion
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Thanks for those thoughts and suggestions. I was looking at a 100w folding on the photonic website and see the controller can connect to a usb on a laptop, does that enable one to lower the output from the controller?
 
Aug 5, 2018
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lower the output from what?
The USB's on the controller are used as "power sources" for charging small devices like phones and powering 5v LED lights etc. not for comms with the controller..
 
Feb 18, 2018
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Depends where you’re staying ... on a campsite folding may be good as you have more space. On an aire you may not have room to have them out. Also on roof charge all the time rather than just when you feel safe leaving them out. And higher up not shaded by other vehicles, hedges etc. Lots to think about.

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treetops1

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Feb 25, 2013
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Not a lot to think about really ,on the roof is the sensible way to go .no packing and unpacking ,out of the way and far more efficient.
 
Jun 8, 2019
4,931
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Given up Motorhoming
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Let’s have a poll
Answer roof or portable? One word answers

Roof
 

Nanniemate

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Oct 1, 2019
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Still dropping clangers and making it up as I go along
roof

looking to get it fitted after Christmas as the warrantee will them kick in when the sun is shining

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irnbru

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Jun 27, 2013
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Benimar 264
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11 yrs
We have 100W solar on the roof but at this time of year it’s not generating enough power. We just bought a used panel which is only 53watt but moving it around and pointing it directly at the sun it’s giving as much as the larger one in the roof.
 
Aug 6, 2013
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Le-Voyageur RX958 Pl
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One of my dogs says 'Roof' and the other two say 'Woof'. With mine I think that's four votes for roof. :D

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