Some basic solar advice please

[seakay22]

I've at long last had my new van delivered, a Malibu GT 600 PVC. It's been prewired for panels as a factory option so I believe that I just need the solar panels themselves and a smart controller, maybe a Battery Master to charge the engine battery too? Technology is not my strong point so I'm going to give it to a (hopefully) professional installer and let them do it.

My questions are therefore quite simple, firstly what is the best type to get installed, my limited understanding is Crystalline panels come in either mono or poly and does it matter if I get one large one of 200w or 2 x 100w (not sure the 200w will fit). The van has 2 x 80 amp gel batteries.

If there's anything else I need to be aware of please tell me but I really do need this in simplistic terms please!

I've attached a photo of the roof so you can see what I've got to work around.

 

[Richard n Ann]

If you fit it near the big sky light you can maybe pop up and clean it easily

 

[DBK]

Mono crystalline are usually a bit smaller than poly crystalline. You need to measure the roof and see what panel or panels can be fitted where. As suggested fitting one sideways behind the main roof light would be a good place.

 

[seakay22]

If you fit it near the big sky light you can maybe pop up and clean it easily

Good advice

 

[Compactliner]

any reason why the supplying dealer isnt doing it for you? which specific dealer?
surely this could have been worked in to the deal?
good luck, a lovely van...

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Campervan_man]

It will be 1/2 pre-wired from the factory.
ie, Wires under your cab passenger seat to under your fridge both marked + and -.
The hard bit is going up from the fridge through the roof.
I've done a couple of these vans in the past.

 

[Two on Tour]

You might want to consider where the panels would have to go to hook up with the pre-wiring which may determine your panel sizes.

 

[seakay22]

any reason why the supplying dealer isnt doing it for you? which specific dealer?
surely this could have been worked in to the deal?
good luck, a lovely van...

The van came from Düsseldorf last week, delivered on a low loader. There wasn't a factory option to install the solar panels so I decided best get it done here.

 

[seakay22]

It will be 1/2 pre-wired from the factory.
ie, Wires under your cab passenger seat to under your fridge both marked + and -.
The hard bit is going up from the fridge through the roof.
I've done a couple of these vans in the past.

Isn't the bit on the right by the awning the wiring box, it's above the fridge?

 

[Lenny HB]

Isn't the bit on the right by the awning the wiring box, it's above the fridge?

That looks like the fridge top vent, Carthago often fit roof vents for the fridge.
As said Mono panels smaller and more efficient.
You probably won't need a B2B as Germans do decent size wiring also being a Euro 6 D they will have probably fitted a 40 amp B2B.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[seakay22]

That looks like the fridge top vent, Carthago often fit roof vents for the fridge.
As said Mono panels smaller and more efficient.
You probably won't need a B2B as Germans do decent size wiring also being a Euro 6 D they will have probably fitted a 40 amp B2B.

Told you I know nuffink about electrics, I just assumed it was a box of tricks. Yes it's got a Schaudt WA 121525 installed, that I do know. Reading a bit more this evening I agree a mono seems the best option, ideally I can get a single panel of about 160/180w running across the van behind the main roof vent as suggested above. Much rather have one than two but having measured and checked panel sizes it's tight.

 

[Campervan_man]

The couple of vans I fitted panels to the wiring is under the passenger cab seat with a + and - with SOLAR written on then. The other end was curled up below the fridge. A bit of a rummage and you will find it under the fridge.
On the roof above the fridge is a roof top vent as opposed to a traditional side air vent.
Think it was a non gas 12V fridge.
You can either fit a solar charge controller under the fridge and trunk it up the side of the fridge and out of the roof.
OR
Go up behind the fridge and out of the roof top fridge vent.
Trouble with these vans is the insulation is like an inch of guey black insulation and the roof lining is a material kind of finish.

 

[Compactliner]

The van came from Düsseldorf last week, delivered on a low loader. There wasn't a factory option to install the solar panels so I decided best get it done here.

ok. we have a compactline 138, similar layout (albeit 40 cm longer) with transverse rear bed and a skylight over the rear bed...we are 2.12 wide and i can fit a 100w panel (60 cm wide i think) each side of the rooflight....but our roof may be a tad wider than yours, due to the way a PVC narrows a bit up top.
are ypu thinking of a sat dish or any other kit on the roof?....