Which Solar panel?

Workshop and Technical tips & tricks.
smokey2a
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Which Solar panel?

Post by smokey2a » Sun May 26, 2019 2:24 pm

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
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RMS
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Location: Near Wakefield, UK, in God's own Country!

Re: Which Solar panel?

Post by RMS » Sun May 26, 2019 11:14 pm

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.
1967 109" Carawagon 200TDi
1972 109" SW Carawagon 2.5NA
1958 109" Carawagon 2.25P (project)
1972 109" Carawagon 200 or 300TDi (project)
1974 Dormobile 2.25D (project)
(Robin on S2C forum)
smokey2a
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Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2012 12:07 am
Location: HILLINGDON

Re: Which Solar panel?

Post by smokey2a » Mon May 27, 2019 1:37 pm

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
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RMS
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Re: Which Solar panel?

Post by RMS » Mon May 27, 2019 3:14 pm

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.
1967 109" Carawagon 200TDi
1972 109" SW Carawagon 2.5NA
1958 109" Carawagon 2.25P (project)
1972 109" Carawagon 200 or 300TDi (project)
1974 Dormobile 2.25D (project)
(Robin on S2C forum)
Jabbawocky
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Re: Which Solar panel?

Post by Jabbawocky » Fri May 31, 2019 10:58 am

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
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DrivingDutchman
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Re: Which Solar panel?

Post by DrivingDutchman » Wed Jun 05, 2019 11:11 am

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.
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1969 109 sw dormobile Dora
1996 overland defender sw 110 Nellie
1962 109 sw safari diesel Hannie (sold)
1973 88 series 3 soft top in various bits on the drive...
smokey2a
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Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2012 12:07 am
Location: HILLINGDON

Re: Which Solar panel?

Post by smokey2a » Thu Jun 06, 2019 12:01 pm

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
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RMS
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Location: Near Wakefield, UK, in God's own Country!

Re: Which Solar panel?

Post by RMS » Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:02 pm

That kit looks fine Paul.

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

Cheers,
Robin.
1967 109" Carawagon 200TDi
1972 109" SW Carawagon 2.5NA
1958 109" Carawagon 2.25P (project)
1972 109" Carawagon 200 or 300TDi (project)
1974 Dormobile 2.25D (project)
(Robin on S2C forum)
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DrivingDutchman
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Location: Raunds, Northants

Re: Which Solar panel?

Post by DrivingDutchman » Thu Jun 06, 2019 2:47 pm

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
1969 109 sw dormobile Dora
1996 overland defender sw 110 Nellie
1962 109 sw safari diesel Hannie (sold)
1973 88 series 3 soft top in various bits on the drive...
RobW
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Re: Which Solar panel?

Post by RobW » Wed Jun 12, 2019 4:58 pm

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
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