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Subject Topic: Solar panels - I`ve no idea!! Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonDeneice
01/6/2015 at 4:55pm
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Calling anyone who actually knows ANYthing about solar panels. Am about to go down the solar panel route as the leisure battery in my old lady camper doesn't charge on electric hook-up. Going to need something anyway and this seems like a good time to go solar - will solve my battery top-up and allow me to go 'off-grid'.
Am thinking to avoid the fix on the roof jobby and go with crocodile clips to battery from a portable/briefcase style one. Can't see the benefits of a fixed one where I have to compromise the watertight state of my roof by drilling holes. Perhaps some-one could tell me otherwise?......
But how much confusing info out there!!!!
Not sure what size I will need for starters.....don't have high usage. Will need for charging my laptop, lights, 12v cool box and very little else (that I can think of). Once anyone starts talking amp/watt hours I glaze over (very challenged in this direction). Am thinking 80 w would be more than enough?......
But also there is a HUGE variation in price. I have found one 100w kit which is only £119. Does that mean it will be rubbish? How do I know? What am I looking for? A big name make like Bosch is considerably more but don't want to just be paying for a brand (unless of course it IS miles better).
HELP????
Thanks in advance to all you clever folk.


PersonFrancophile1947
01/6/2015 at 9:22pm
 Location: Norwich
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If you're running a 12v coolbox, it would be wise to get the biggest panel available - coolboxes really do use loads of power.
Most people fit their panels to the roof using just an appropriate glue. Sadly, my mind has gone blank regarding the glue's name, but somebody will know it

-------------
Cheers
John


Personfleck2
01/6/2015 at 9:41pm
 Location: Derbyshire
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Sikoflex?


PersonDeneice
02/6/2015 at 9:52am
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Think I might ditch the coolbox then.

And so......no holes required re solar panel on roof? But where do you run the wires to then (am probably just being dense!)

But still...what size and am I wasting money going with a cheaper one?


PersonHebby1
02/6/2015 at 7:24pm
 Location: Wiltshire
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I use 120watt folding solar panels that are left on all day, connected to battery 85Ah, it runs my 12v cooler all day and keeps food fresh, also 12v lights and TV via battery; make sure cooler is turned off in evening as battery will go flat . I don't have any problems using Solar Panels.


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PersonDeneice
02/6/2015 at 7:31pm
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So Hebby1, do you have the portable/non mounted briefcase type solar panels?
And I don't understand what you mean by 'battery 85Ah'(just looked on my battery in case there is something written on but no)- again - apologies for being so dense here.
Did you buy top of the range expensive (the 120 watt I've seen cost a bomb!!)
Thanks for all your help.


Personkazo2014
02/6/2015 at 9:07pm
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hebby1 on a 12v supply a cooler draws between 4 and 8 amps per hour, and if your using a 85 Ah battery that means you only have a 45Ah before the battery will give up and wont accept a charge again, using basic maths that means you will only be able to run the cooler for and average of 7 hours at best! that figure is even doubtful because any charge the panel tries to put back into the battery would mean that the battery is in constant minimum operating abilities, and those figures are assuming you don't run anything else such as taps, lights etc from the battery to


Personkazo2014
02/6/2015 at 9:12pm
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Deneice 85 Ah means that the leisure battery holds 85 amps per hour, but like I said you cant really use all of those as the battery will give up at around the half way mark.

we are not talking about the battery that starts your motorhome, you would have a separate battery for the living area of the motorhome, it is the leisure battery you would connect the solar panel too, why doesn't your leisure battery charge in your motorhome? cheapest way for you would be to take a battery charger and connect that up when you are on ehu


Personcampergiles
03/6/2015 at 11:48am
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I'd suggest fixing the battery charger before moving on to solar. Solar will only suffice for topping up, unless you get into serious kit.


PersonDeneice
03/6/2015 at 12:04pm
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Thanks everyone. My leisure battery doesn't charge on EHU because it isn't set up this way. Apparently on the old motorhomes/campers (mine is 1989) this was just the way it was. To get one rigged up permanently would cost at least £60+ - even a temp/portable one would mean laying out money in which case I may as well go solar and then won't have to have EHU at all.
My understanding is I don't need serious solar kit.....a foldaway panel, charge controller and that is it. I have seen 100w kits for £120 (but as previously asked not sure if the price tag means it would be rubbish). 100w is a LOT of power.....isn't it??


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Personkazo2014
03/6/2015 at 4:57pm
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I would rather pay out £60 for a guareenteed way of charging my battery on a site rather than £120+ on a solar panel that may or maynot do the job, being England and its weather patterns!

to give you some idea your household kettle uses 2000w of power to boil, a light bulb will use 60 w of power 100w of solar panel isn't really a lot when you take into account we live in England with no real guareentee of the weather

but in saying all that yes we have a solar panel ourselves, but that is only to help eek things out over a weekend, no way would I rely on it as a permanent thing



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