Stand alone solar

[SamSara]

Hi, i want a solar panel to extend or life for a few more days. So ,any to choose from i would appreciate guidance. I do not want one on the van and i would like ease of setting up.
thanks

 

[Sad]

Don't believe it's as simple as just plugging a solar panel in, there's a whole load of other electronic trickery involved.
You could consider a generator?

Portable Mains Generators

Find out which portable generator to choose to get a useful back-up power supply for caravanning ‘off-grid’.

www.caravanclub.co.uk

Or have you tried looking at something like the Jackery?

Jackery Best Solar Generators, Portable Power Stations & Solar Panels

Jackery® offers an array of portable power supply solutions, including solar generators, portable power stations & solar panels. Click to learn more!

www.jackery.com

 

[chockswahay]

We have the smaller version of this on our sailing yacht (40w) it’s useful now and then but quite a palava setting up and folding down. You just attach the red and black crocodile to your battery and away you go …..

12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine

12V solar panel solar charging kits for motorhome caravan boat campervan yacht marine off-grid

www.photonicuniverse.com

 

[chockswahay]

Just a thought, if you can manage without the fridge or too much use of the diesel heater then you really would not have a problem

 

[The Merle]

Hi, i want a solar panel to extend or life for a few more days. So ,any to choose from i would appreciate guidance. I do not want one on the van and i would like ease of setting up.
thanks

I use to have 100w portable one I bought from go outdoors, suitcase type.
Only needs live and neutral off battery as everything is built in on the back.
Sold it as was to big to store, and had to chain it to wheel (worried it would get pinched).
The flexi type are harder to secure but I may look at getting one as an extra.
There is a windscreen cover now you can buy with two panels built in, not cheap though

 

[capt kirk]

I use a sunpower gold from amazon, bargain at £129.00 when i bought it. Comes with solar controller( cheap one but works) and various connectors.. we do festivals and tops the battery up a treat. 130 watt and folds into a case that sits on the parcel shelf. On a good day i get approx 6 amps out of it. Just clips onto battery under passenger seat or rear cupboard.

 

[Sad]

Don't believe it's as simple as just plugging a solar panel in, there's a whole load of other electronic trickery involved.

It appears I must stand corrected!
Sounds easier than I thought it would be

 

[Corradobrit]

I have an EcoFlow river max with internal mppt. I will connect 2x100w book style xtar sp100 panels and this will connect direct to the external 240 socket to charge the leisure batteries. Plus I have the extra reserve power from the EcoFlow li ion battery as a backup.

 

[Mowbotman]

Connect direct to external 240volt socket , not seen this before ????

 

[capt kirk]

Like a jackery, bit inefficient but works well

 

[SamSara]

I use to have 100w portable one I bought from go outdoors, suitcase type.
Only needs live and neutral off battery as everything is built in on the back.
Sold it as was to big to store, and had to chain it to wheel (worried it would get pinched).
The flexi type are harder to secure but I may look at getting one as an extra.
There is a windscreen cover now you can buy with two panels built in, not cheap thoughView attachment 91266

Crikey, that is a fair wedge

 

[The Merle]

Crikey, that is a fair wedge

I’m sure I’ve seen a cheaper version somewhere.

You could make one around £500 including cost of cover if you use cheap panels

 

[keith morris]

Hi, i want a solar panel to extend or life for a few more days. So ,any to choose from i would appreciate guidance. I do not want one on the van and i would like ease of setting up.
thanks

We use an alternative approach we use a solar generator to charge all the phones and iPads etc then the leisure battery in the van only needs to cover the fridge which we found works ok if it’s down to temp on the journey then turned down to 3 on site, then evenings few bits of lights. The battery blasts about three days then, we have a solar panel that attaches to and charges the solar battery

Not the most sophisticated but works for us without the need to wire to the van battery

 

[R_Sargeant_CH]

I use a sunpower gold from amazon, bargain at £129.00 when i bought it. Comes with solar controller( cheap one but works) and various connectors.. we do festivals and tops the battery up a treat. 130 watt and folds into a case that sits on the parcel shelf. On a good day i get approx 6 amps out of it. Just clips onto battery under passenger seat or rear cupboard.

I couldn't find "Sunpower Gold" on Amazon UK. Do you have a link please?

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Hi, i want a solar panel to extend or life for a few more days. So ,any to choose from i would appreciate guidance. I do not want one on the van and i would like ease of setting up.
thanks

Hi @SamSara
Any particular reason for not wanting a permanent installation? I deliberated long and hard before going with a fixed solution. I have to say that after 18 months I have no regrets whatsoever. Fit and forget solution and TBH we need all the internal storage space we can get for equipment/food/clothes/etc.
We have 2 x 100W panels and so far they have proven to be great, keeping our leisure and starter batteries fully charged.

 

[Mattsv]

Have also just fitted a semi-permanent 100w panel (just bolts to roof rails). Easy installation and works brilliantly.

 

[capt kirk]

I couldn't find "Sunpower Gold" on Amazon UK. Do you have a link please?

It was a while back, i will ave a look at my history

 

[capt kirk]

I couldn't find "Sunpower Gold" on Amazon UK. Do you have a link please?

Ive had a look around and my purchase is no longer in my bought items box but has sungoldpower on the case. Only one i can find on amazon now similar is over 600 quid. Sorry

 

[capt kirk]

Ive had a look around and my purchase is no longer in my bought items box but has sungoldpower on the case. Only one i can find on amazon now similar is over 600 quid. Sorry

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07SZFX59Z/?tag=unique09f-21

 

[Corradobrit]

Sungoldpower isn't the same as sunpower. The latter are considered the market leaders.

 

[capt kirk]

 

[R_Sargeant_CH]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07SZFX59Z/?tag=unique09f-21

Thanks !
Out of stock of course. I'll have to wait.
RS

 

[Multi1100]

Have also just fitted a semi-permanent 100w panel (just bolts to roof rails). Easy installation and works brilliantly. View attachment 91624

Neat solution! Does this come with controller? Is the connection wire (the black one) not hampering your roof when driving, or do you disconnect it then (and leave it where?). I am very interested and interested in your reply? Thanks in advance
krgds

 

[clarinetbcn]

Neat solution! Does this come with controller? Is the connection wire (the black one) not hampering your roof when driving, or do you disconnect it then (and leave it where?). I am very interested and interested in your reply? Thanks in advance
krgds

Check out https://www.solarcampersolutions.co.uk/

Many here on the forum have Roger’s bolt on system installed, often self-installed.

 

[Mattsv]

Neat solution! Does this come with controller? Is the connection wire (the black one) not hampering your roof when driving, or do you disconnect it then (and leave it where?). I am very interested and interested in your reply? Thanks in advance
krgds

There is a choice of controllers - I opted for one that has a Bluetooth connection so can be set and monitored via my phone. The curly cable stays permanently connected to make the most of every bit of sunlight. No issues at all when driving. You could disconnect and leave it in the rear cupboard if it bothered you but I can't see the point.