Page 1 of 2

Which Solar panel?

Posted: Sun May 26, 2019 2:24 pm
by smokey2a
Hi, trying to sort out my new-ish toy and I'm looking to for a solar panel to run the compressor fridge and a few other things as the fancy takes me. Something 50 to 100 watts would seem about right, needs to hook up to a T-Max split charger. Any suggestions most gratefully received.

Paul

Re: Which Solar panel?

Posted: Sun May 26, 2019 11:14 pm
by RMS
Hi Paul,

Patrick & I both run 80W panels which have never let us down (apart from when I had a dodgy leisure battery and a faulty controller).

We both run compressor fridges, LED lights, phone chargers and Webasto night heaters.

Hope that helps,
Robin.

Re: Which Solar panel?

Posted: Mon May 27, 2019 1:37 pm
by smokey2a
Thank's Robin, any particular type or make and would I need another control box apart from the T-Max one for the split charger?
Paul

Re: Which Solar panel?

Posted: Mon May 27, 2019 3:14 pm
by RMS
Hi Paul,

We've had ours for some years now, bought on ebay, so not sure if the same seller is still on there.

I'm not sure there's a lot of difference between the panels on ebay - they probably mostly all come from the same factory anyway :shrug:

Yes, you'd need a controller for the panel - for one thing, solar panels can drain a battery when it's dark if connected directly to the battery.

There are some who sell the controllers with the panels - I'd suggest a UK seller so you've got some contact if you have problems.

You're probably looking to pay around £100-£120 including controller, unless you go for fancy portable folding or flexible panels.

Cheers,
Robin.

Re: Which Solar panel?

Posted: Fri May 31, 2019 10:58 am
by Jabbawocky
HI Paul

I have just fitted a 50W panel to the Roof box on the Dormobile and just done 6 days in France and it worked great at temperatures up to 20C. Battery still up at 12.6V before i fired the engine up to come home. I know this is too small for summer, so plan to buy a folding 60/80w to boost the charging when we go to Corsica this summer.
The 50w panel and separate controller came off ebay, direct from China. I bought the panel with the Alloy plate stuck on as read that they can fail if they get too hot and thought the alloy plate may reduce this?????. So far, works great, but early days. Not bought the folding panel yet, but better get on with it with long delivery dates from China.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/382734497620
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/382703679102

Re: Which Solar panel?

Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2019 11:11 am
by DrivingDutchman
This is my setup. 220watts on the roof. 110ah leisure gel battery.

The solar panels I got from ebay from photonic universe. I have 2 of these each 110 watts, flexible (to save weight) with new etfe coating technology. Not cheapest, but this is where you should not skimp on. The frame is also tiltable at the top when the roof is open so it still sits horizontally to maximise the performance. I used existing bolts on the roof to attach it all.

Re: Which Solar panel?

Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 12:01 pm
by smokey2a
Many thanks for the replies.
So confusing, I so much better at pulling the front off a crash damaged car and rebuilding it. Had a look today on Ebay and found this kit. Any opinions as to if its what I looking for grate full received.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/123658852180?c ... 4247416147

Re: Which Solar panel?

Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:02 pm
by RMS
That kit looks fine Paul.

Though I would mount it on a rigid board rather than leaving it 'flexible'.

Cheers,
Robin.

Re: Which Solar panel?

Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 2:47 pm
by DrivingDutchman
Are you planning to permanent fix it or use it when you are camped only?

If you mount it on a board like Robin suggests, I would advise to use an aly plate or metal or make a frame. These flexible panels tend to overheat if not ventilated or cooled by a heatsink at the back in hot weather. Granted, in the Uk it might not happen quickly or at all, but if you go to France in the summer it could do.

Michiel

Re: Which Solar panel?

Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2019 4:58 pm
by RobW
Do you wire the battery bit to the main battery (relay controlled split charge) or the leisure battery?

Same thing from a UK seller? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100W-12V-Sun ... 3658852180