SOLAR PANELS

Hia

the time as come when I need a shopping list for buying and the fitting of solar panels
please do not be to technicol on this subject as you are talking to me

this is my van a compass advantgard 200 2005

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(yes I know now that the roof is green )

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I popped my head out of the skylight to measure either side of use
the side with the aerial as 46cm x 112cm (18inx44in)
the other side was 46mx127cm (46inx50in)

not the back but the bit in front of the skylight (towards the aeriel) across the van measured 41cmx163cm (16inx64in)

or the section on the cop of the cab from the door forward a section at least76cm (30in) x width of van

so I am looking for the best place to site them (2)
sizes-and what else I will need and roughly how much and maybe a quote to fit

hope this makes abit of sense

I have 2x75amp batteries

thank you for your patience

Andy is your man, he knows what sizes are available, but looking at them pics, unless their deceiving, I think your only option is on the luton, I'd be looking at fitting deflectors if you put them there, I'd be worried about them whistling

clean that roof

Andy is your man as Ken said, but firstly you need Ken to wash the roof the slopping bit will not be very good as you will be limited by shadow with the angle.

Getting the right length and width will be the next problem but this is where Andy's knowledge will be invaluable, he has researched this many times.

I am not sure there will be enough roof support over the Luton as that area is usually quite flexible but without inspecting it I am not sure, but if they will go there Ken's suggestion of deflectors is a good idea as they will get a strong uplight of air passing under them in that position.

They make a flexible stick on one that might be best for your needs, don't know how good they are though

Hia

isn't it complicated and that is just the washing of the roof

KSH wrote:

They make a flexible stick on one that might be best for your needs, don't know how good they are though

Never thought of them Ken, I have heard some good reports about them but that was from dealers , need to google for reviews of them Polly but that would be a great solution.
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Pretty awkward roof really. The cab top is the only place for a traditional fit and it would need a spoiler as Ken said but more to stop it peeling the roof off than for noise. The slope would work absolutely fine as long as you park north/south cab pointing north.
These are the panels I favour
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Hia

now don't shout at me Andy
but the measurement was

Dimensions 1105mm x 540mm x 30mm

would that be 110cm x 54 cm
if so I will have to go and remeasure for the sides at the side of the skylight

thanks

Haven't you already measured it at 46cm?

They wont fit either side of the skylight 460 is not enough for most panels

Could be a mobile one on the floor- Polly could turn it every time she takes Izzy for a walk

Hia

back to the drawing board

but would I be looking at 80 w and what else would I need

besides a brush to clean the green away

asked my son for a christmas Present he asked what I wanted and I said my motorhome roof cleaning

Hia

I am here again

do they do 80w slimline solar panels

polly mark or cls fitted our pannal 80w it narrow and long will measure tommorrow works fantastic just had 4 wks france very little direct sun stayed 7days on one aires no problem with power

HIa

Right I Am here again


When my solar panel is on and connected up to my regulator and batteries and hopefully the sun is shining then it will keep my leisure batteries topped up

Question

1). When there is enough charge in my batteries eg fully charged what happens to the charge coming from the solar panel

2). If I am on site hooked up to electric what happens to the charge from the solar panels eg do I switch off the solar panel charge

3) when my engine is running it charges my leisure batteries up so again what happens to the solar charge

So I think what I am trying to say is can I burn my batteries out by over charging them

Please please don't laugh as I am only asking and learning
Then when I have learnt and I know and I have your knowledge then I could always pass that knowledge on

Did you buy a full kit or just solar pannal

No
All three methods of charging work in relation to the voltage across the battery. If your battery is fully charged they will automatically reduce the charge to a trickle (float charge)
Fit it and forget it.

Hia


found this

Solar Charge Controllers

"What is a charge controller?
This device controls the charge to the battery and prevents battery drain at night. When the battery is fully charged the controller reduces the charging voltage to a float charge. The charge controller also has a load output which can be used to switch on or off a load (such as a light). This output can also protect the battery from over discharge. Some charge controllers have temperature sensors or probes, which measure ambient temperature and charges the battery accordingly."

just what you you have said thanks

Hia

SORRY

another question

my regulaer says
"use with sealed batteries only"

does that mean I cant use the batteries that have the cells in /on the ones that could need topping up with distilled water

It means use with sealed batteries only Maintenance free ones

Hia

so it looks as though I need to buy new batteries ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
as mine are the top up ones ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh
have to wait till after I have been to Spain and next pension day

Cheaper to buy a better regulator

When did you last check the electrolite level in them? It's no good having open wet batteries if you don't keep them topped up.

HIa

Right that is the last of my questions
!!!!

Hia

I know I said I would not ask anymore questions but here is another one
and truthfully dont care what any one thinks its just I like to know what is happening or what will happen to my pride and joy
so here comes the dumb blondes question for today

I bought an extra 4 mt cable for the solar panel

so the end with connections on them that comes out of the underneath of the solar panel will connect to this extra cable length by those which I think are called his and her connections

ok

now where this connects up under the panel will it need any protection from the elements eg any water that may go underneath as the panel is fitted with a gap between it and the van

now the cable which then will run across my roof to the side of the van where I want it to enter
could I use some plastic cable cover ,pipe cover, encasing???? and run the cable through that and glue the casing to the van to tidy it up

ok think that will do for today

Yeah the connections will just push together
They are waterproof but like most things they have a rubber seal in them which will deteriorate over time
Yeah, put cable in plastic trunking

PS - 4 metres? is that going to be enough? all depends how much you have on the panels already, how much you lose on the roof going to the entry point, and how much you will need in the van

Hia

Thank you

have a nice weekend at Southport

Hia

looking good

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Nice one

That does look good Polly.

Van looks like new
I thought you only had 46cm? how wide it that panel looks like a 540

Great job so far Polly and remember there is no such thing a a silly question only a silly answer so ask as many as you like and someone will help you. See ya soon

whistlinggypsy wrote:

Great job so far Polly and remember there is no such thing a a silly question only a silly answer so ask as many as you like and someone will help you. See ya soon

How many beans make 5???.

HIa

All marked up ready for the big day

Soon be on permently

The Burchies wrote:

whistlinggypsy wrote:

Great job so far Polly and remember there is no such thing a a silly question only a silly answer so ask as many as you like and someone will help you. See ya soon

How many beans make 5???.

1 bean 2 beans bean and a half and half a bean hahahahaaaaasas

Hia

motorhome back and panel fitted and connected
also
I had the front underneath cleaned ( i think that is it) rubbed down and whatever one does and painted as it had no protection on it