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18/4/2024 at 6:34pm
Location: West Mids
Outfit: Swift Ace Statesman & X-Trail 2.0
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What do you propose to run, are you heavy/demanding users and do you propose to run off grid all year?
Aim for the largest panel you can comfortably fit and afford, but I've always found a 120w to be more that suitable. I rally off-grid all year round, but not a heavy user (rarely use TV for example), so my needs are for lighting, radio, charge points, heater fan etc. Remember, solar output is greatly reduced in the winter months too.
I bought my last panel from Voltanic Solar, who produce a decent range of products.
You will need a charge controller, I would advise you get (or instruct your fitter to use) an MTTP type controller as opposed to the more basic PWM type, as the former are more efficient at ensuring peak performance and charging of the battery (I can monitor mine via a bluetooth app too).
As mentioned, of course any panel will add to your weight. Voltanic list each panels weight in their shop, but consider mounting brackets too; my kit comes in at about 8kgs, panel fully bonded to the roof.
Let us know how you get on.
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Paul
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21/4/2024 at 8:42am
Location: Liverpool
Outfit: Swift Challenger 560
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Quote: Originally posted by Welsh Taffy on 18/4/2024
G7ACU.. & Trog 100.
Thank you both for your help.
We only want to go " non electric " in the summer months, and in general run just the lights, Alde hot water, radio, etc etc , nothing to heavy , so I guess a suitcase one will do to keep the battery topped up.
As far as I know, you can only run the Alde system from mains electric or from gas. A 12 volt supply from the battery, however well it is kept topped up by solar, won’t heat your water.
We have a 100w solar panel on the roof. We have never tried longer than a long weekend (4 nights) off grid, but it has always been more than adequate for lighting and to work the water pump, flush the toilet, and charge our phones. We use gas for heating (if we need it), hot water for the shower, and to run the fridge.
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Pixie
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