Solar Panels

[JohnI.Stephen]

We shall spend a full week this summer on a site which has no A/C power at all. We can power the fridge using gas but keeping the battery topped-up and charging my mobile phone is an issue (I need to stay in contact with family at home).

I have read with interest about people who suggest taking two leisure batteries and then swapping then out at the appropriate time. However, an easier solution may be a solar panel. These seem to start at around £140 and then UP (and UP!). The smallest model I have seen is a 20 watt model which may be perfectly adequate to keep the 12v battery charged to provide 12v lighting and the odd charge up of portable devices using an inverter.

Do any of you have experience of using a solar panel (in UK in the summer !!); and where have you secured it - on the roof ??

John

 

[Rod_5041370]

I use a 55 watt panel fixed permanently on the roof.

I mounted the panel on 25mm aluminium angle, 1.2 metres long to allow the fixing bolts (stainless steel) to come out into the wardrobe and overhead lockers so as not to be seen......measure ten times, drill once!

I have mounted the charge controller in the wardrobe and a voltmeter to indicate charge state alongside the heater thermostat, in full view.

The charge controller is connected to a 110A/H battery over the wheel arch, under the bed.

 

[cris_408518]

John. I use a samll solar panel just to keep the battery topped up. Have used it for years and it is very good.

Have a look on www.maplin.co.uk under solar panels, I'm a maplin

regular customer. There 18 watt model covers most of what you want it seems, you may get a better deal elsewhere.

They have a fair returns policy, you could try it at home over this weekend and march it back if it does not do what it says

;-)

They do a great mail order service as well. I've ordered between 3 and 4 pm and had delivery next day.

 

[rob_jax]

John,

Last Summer in France we met a Swiss couple with an Eriba Troll (4 berth), they never bother with electric hookup - simply run the fridge on gas, and run the lights / radio / LCD TV for one or two hours each evening.

Fritz bought a 44 watt "blue" polycrystalline solar panel, mounted it on the roof with aluminium channelling - actually behind the Eriba pop-top so he can just reach out and change the angle of the deck-chair like mount he made - so he gets a perfect angle on the sun with the panel face.

You may have to accept a flat panel mount - then figure in a larger panel - maybe 50 watt

This keeps their 100 AH battery fully charged - but don't forget the charge controller - to automatically adjust the charge current going to the battery.

This year I'm fitting a similar 44 watt panel to our Eriba Triton - but I'll just make up a simple horizontal mount

Robert

 

[Richard_5040072]

We spent a month on a CL last year, without hook up.

We use a free standing panel which has a fold out support to angle it at about 45 degrees. The lead is connected straight onto the battery with a plug & socket in the lead for easy conection. A security cable is fitted to stop the panel "walking".

Even with hours spent watching the cricket on television the panel seemed to cope well and although we carry a generator with us it was hardly used.

Although we got a very good deal from Chichester Caravans the cost of panels is still high. However I am now a firm convert.

Clarky.

 

[PaulA3]

There is a similar topic in the Technical section so I have copied this from there

Take a look at these sites for solar panels I would advice that you go for the biggest wattage you can afford also you'll need a regulator for any panel over 15 watts to prevent over charging of the battery.

http://www.leisurepower.co.uk/acatalog/Portable_Solar.html
http://www.cps-solar.co.uk/uk2shop-1.htm
http://www.sunshinesolar.co.uk/item--SolarMAX-Polycrystalline-Solar-Panel-40-Watt-12-Volt--SS40W
Also this looks a good buy at the price but his postage of

 

[PaulA3]

up untill a few years ago I spent 6 months a year living full time in my caravan with out electric hook up I survived by using a 15 watt solar panel and having a battery in the boot of the car set up to charge from the 12s plug wiring.

so it very possible to do and with a bigger wattage panel you can have a bigger TV.

 

[PaulA3]

up untill a few years ago I spent 6 months a year living full time in my caravan with out electric hook up I survived by using a 15 watt solar panel and having a battery in the boot of the car set up to charge from the 12s plug wiring.

so it very possible to do and with a bigger wattage panel you can have a bigger TV.

Forgot to mention where I put it, I had a long length of chain and locked it to the panel and the caravan. The panel was leaned against a patio chair and moved to face the Sun as the day progressed and just before my Horlicks I *** outside and set it up to face the Dawn.

 

[cris_408518]

Try Koefraf shop on Ebay, bro's friend has two 40 watts on his yacht in Plymouth. Works great really rates the panels and had great prompt service from the Ebay shop,

 

[JohnI.Stephen]

John. I use a samll solar panel just to keep the battery topped up. Have used it for years and it is very good.

Have a look on www.maplin.co.uk under solar panels, I'm a maplin

regular customer. There 18 watt model covers most of what you want it seems, you may get a better deal elsewhere.

They have a fair returns policy, you could try it at home over this weekend and march it back if it does not do what it says

;-)

They do a great mail order service as well. I've ordered between 3 and 4 pm and had delivery next day.

Searched the maplin site for 'solar' and 'solar panel'; zero items. However probably a fault with their search engine; will try again. Thanks John

 

[JohnI.Stephen]

Try Koefraf shop on Ebay, bro's friend has two 40 watts on his yacht in Plymouth. Works great really rates the panels and had great prompt service from the Ebay shop,

Hello Cris; a search for the Koefraf shop on Ebay yielded no resulsts; can you paste the URL to me please? Thanks

John

 

[JohnI.Stephen]

Try Koefraf shop on Ebay, bro's friend has two 40 watts on his yacht in Plymouth. Works great really rates the panels and had great prompt service from the Ebay shop,

Found it !!

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/KOEKRAF-ALTERNATIVE-ENERGY

 

[cris_408518]

Try Koefraf shop on Ebay, bro's friend has two 40 watts on his yacht in Plymouth. Works great really rates the panels and had great prompt service from the Ebay shop,

hand eye co-ordination again ;-)

glad you sorted it!

 

[JohnI.Stephen]

Rod; I would very much like to understand your configuration. Sound what I need. Can you email me some details please?

john.stephen@10glebelands.com

Thanks !

 

[Rod_5041370]

Rod; I would very much like to understand your configuration. Sound what I need. Can you email me some details please?

john.stephen@10glebelands.com

Thanks !

John,

Hopefully accomplished.