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Subject Topic: Solar Panels Post Reply Post New Topic
Personmickthebuilder
11/6/2015 at 5:31pm
 Location: Ramsgate Kent
 Outfit: CI Fiat Carioca 10 2000 View mickthebuilder's Profile View Profile   Reply to mickthebuilder Reply   Quote mickthebuilder Quote  
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Can anyone advise as to whether a solar panel can be damaged if left open ended for approx 4 hrs whilst the battery is removed?   My thoughts are that it will be fine , but as they say two heads are better than one .

Any thoughts would be appreciated, thanks Mick


PersonRob and Tina
11/6/2015 at 5:42pm
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
 Outfit:  Swift Major 4SB View Rob and Tina's Profile View Profile   Reply to Rob and Tina Reply   Quote Rob and Tina Quote  
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I cover the panel up when I'm fiddling with the battery that way I haven't risked following the wrong advice. I'm sure that you are right that there won't be a problem but I always like to play safe. I can't afford to get caught out and find the battery has gone flat because I've damaged the panel and controller.

Rob


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Personmickthebuilder
11/6/2015 at 5:45pm
 Location: Ramsgate Kent
 Outfit: CI Fiat Carioca 10 2000 View mickthebuilder's Profile View Profile   Reply to mickthebuilder Reply   Quote mickthebuilder Quote  
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Thanks Rob, good point, I had thought of that but I was just checking to see what other people thought.

Cheers Mick


PersonBrian Carson
23/10/2015 at 10:20am
 Location: Edinburgh
 Outfit: Combi-camp View Brian Carson's Profile View Profile   Reply to Brian Carson Reply   Quote Brian Carson Quote  
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We are considering installing a 90 watt solar panel in our new campervan. Do folks think this is worth £600? We want to be able to run the fridge, electric kettle and grill without electric hookup. The fridge lasts for 2 days before you have to recharge the battery.


Persongeoff+emmy
23/10/2015 at 11:00am
 Location: Huddersfield
 Outfit: swift conqueror 645+jeep commander View geoff+emmy's Profile View Profile   Reply to geoff+emmy Reply   Quote geoff+emmy Quote  
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Even a 700 watt 12 volt kettle would require 58 amps So your kettle and grill would be a no-no
We had a 100 watt panel fitted with controller for £430 so 600 seems a bit dear..


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PersonJTQU
23/10/2015 at 3:22pm
 Location: Hampshire
 Outfit: Hymer Nova S View JTQU's Profile View Profile   Reply to JTQU Reply   Quote JTQU Quote  
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The panel should not be damaged by being exposed without being coupled to a "load"; it will simply go up to a potential of its "open circuit voltage" should the light falling on it be adequate.
I am absolutely sure the makers, retailers and installers don't work in the dark.

Re a 90watt panel, this is way way too lower powered to be used for loads such as kettles unless you have a big bank of batteries and can spend many hours recharging it. These "heating" type loads are far better addressed by using gas. If the fridge is a compressor type you don't have that option but I would be going bigger than 90 Watts solar if seeking true "autonomy" from an EHU and having one of those fridges.

£600 for a 90 Watt system is pricing from 7 or so years back and at todays solar panel retail prices is sheer exploitation. If you can take out the labour element by doing this easy DIY job and are comfortable with buying on the net, a 90 Watt panel should be yours for £100 and a good quality PWM solar controller for £40 ish; some brackets a tube of glue and bit of wire should see you set up for £170 > £180, together with bringing a lot of self satisfaction.



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