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Post by RogerThomas on Nov 20, 2014 23:47:21 GMT
I have yet to see a sensible discussion on this subject ,
I see ads for solar panels, different sizes anything from 5W to 250W at what efficiency and under what conditions?
Flat or Flexible?
Different receptors (poly crystalline, silicon Crystalline) or are they all the same?
Two types of controller (PWM or MTTP?)
Is there a benchmark that we can judge the various claims against?
But what is the ultimate panel/controller combination to give the most watts for your Pound Stirling.
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Post by trooper on Nov 22, 2014 9:43:16 GMT
I would have thought the Wattage of Solar Panels is governed by your power requirements and the amount of spare room on your Motorhomes roof. I dont know which is the best Panel or Controller this is what I did. I fitted an extra 110A Battery in the Garage in a 'Through the Floor' container that I bought from CAK Tanks. I fitted 2x 100W Monocrystaline Solar Panels bought from Ebay. I fitted a Standard Controller (not an MTTP). The controller was a dual battery 20A with a remote display, that way I could fit the Controller by the Batteries and have the display in the Habitation area. Why 200W ? Madam decided the Freezer compartment in the Motorhome Fidge was not big enough for more than a few days so we bought a Waeco CF40 this uses 5.6A. Each of the 2 Panels is supposed to be able to supply 5.65A so it was 1 panel for the Waeco and 1 panel for the rest of the bus. Solar Panels are rated at optimum conditions, full sun straight above the panels. We found that on a 3 week trip to France in June we had more than enough Power when using Aires. We have since then fitted a 600W Microwave and 1000W inverter but we have not really tried these yet. What are your views on the subject. Trooper PS for Rodger - we stayed a couple of nights at the Port Louis Aries in your Photos, there was supposed to be a charge of €10/night but the (CC) machine was broken, the drain was also blocked and a bit wiffy.
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Post by RogerThomas on Nov 22, 2014 22:38:21 GMT
I am thinking that I would rather pay out for a larger panel than expect a box of tricks to miraculously give a better output to a smaller/cheaper panel, Like you I have a separate fridge/Freezer a Waeco CFX 50 which under normal circumstances should average a 0.8amp draw at +5°C. Think I will measure the free space on the roof and fit two 100+W panels and a mid range PMW controller. Because increasingly 'we' have decided that it should act as a freezer at -5°C/-10°C with a consequential increase in current draw. I rarely spend more than 2 nights off grid. and up to now I have managed with a 75Ah battery (all LED lights and rare use of a TV) but am upgrading to a 110 Ah because that is the biggest that I can fit and where to place a second in my 6M van! Reading some of the Aussie off road fora they support their Waeco's with a folding array of about 200W but without additional top up capacity over 3 or 4 days, Keeps the Fosters just right Mate! At the same time I will be fitting an extra 12V socket for the Waeco feeding straight from the battery using at least 6mm cable to cut down the voltage drop, mine has a gizmo that cuts it out if the voltage supplied falls below 12V
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Post by trooper on Nov 23, 2014 9:50:51 GMT
We have the Waeco set at -12oC and found that it ran for about 50% of the time so an average of about 2.8Ah. Like yours, it has a low voltage cut out that can be set at one of 3 settings. I don't think the battery voltage ever dropped below 13V during day light, I don't know what it got to at night in the dark.
We fitted 2 x 12V Heavy duty Cigarette lighter type sockets, one in the garage* and one near the front of the bus using 6mm2 cables. Both fed directly, via 20A fuses, from the batteries.
* I call it a garage but it is the space under the slightly raised fixed double bed at the back/side of the bus.
Trooper
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Post by RogerThomas on Nov 26, 2014 1:33:47 GMT
Well stage 1 complete new 115Ah banner battery ordered, now for the panels.................
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Post by trooper on Nov 30, 2014 13:34:10 GMT
Have you decided what Panels you are going to use Roger?
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Post by RogerThomas on Nov 30, 2014 16:17:49 GMT
Not yet, I'm back in the Uk over Christmas and will be close to OutDoor bits at that time, price includes fitting so....................
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Post by chelboy on Dec 30, 2014 17:58:05 GMT
Cant see from picture but have you bonded or screwed the panels to the roof of motorhome?
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Post by trooper on Dec 31, 2014 17:30:00 GMT
Cant see from picture but have you bonded or screwed the panels to the roof of motorhome? They are bonded and screwed to the roof. The fibreglass skin on the roof of our motorhome is not bonded to the wood supporting it, hence the need for the screws. The cable entry box is just bonded to the skin.
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