Power and some additional privacy :)

[andybeary]

I decided to Bag a 400w ecoflow portable solar to add to the fixed roof solar panels for extra offgrid power.

So far so good adding an additional 150w even side ways so could get prob 250 flat down on ground.

Also gives some good privacy as wellood privacy

 

[Californication69]

I decided to Bag a 400w ecoflow portable solar to add to the fixed roof solar panels for extra offgrid power.

So far so good adding an additional 150w even side ways so could get prob 250 flat down on ground.

Also gives some good privacy as wellView attachment 135502View attachment 135503ood privacy View attachment 135501

Love my EF

Question:
The 3 solar panels are not the same, so do you have them on two different MPPT’s ?
Or do you just run them in series and have the lowest panel as the lowest current ?

 

[Pitstop Penny]

What a lovely setup!

 

[andybeary]

Love my EF

Question:
The 3 solar panels are not the same, so do you have them on two different MPPT’s ?
Or do you just run them in series and have the lowest panel as the lowest current ?

Hey, I run them on one mppt, in parallel so benefit from the combined current/amps but obviously limited by v. I had to make my own wiring loom but as a beginner I didn't find that part difficult.

 

[Californication69]

Hey, I run them on one mppt, in parallel so benefit from the combined current/amps but obviously limited by v. I had to make my own wiring loom but as a beginner I didn't find that part difficult.

It’s generally thought series is a better solution for a campervan roof, as the partial shading / cloud is an issue in the UK more often than not.

 

[andybeary]

It’s generally thought series is a better solution for a campervan roof, as the partial shading / cloud is an issue in the UK more often than not.

Thanks will look into it, but noted cheers.

 

[flying banana]

I don't get why people need all this power. I can do 5 days on the van batteries no problem . Massive boxes with transformers costing a thousand quid and huge solar portable panels. Your charging your phone and running a fridge for crying out loud. How often are people parked up off grid for weeks on end? Never. If it was a conversion or a beach I would get it a bit more. Just use the built in power, it's fine.

 

[andybeary]

I don't get why people need all this power. I can do 5 days on the van batteries no problem . Massive boxes with transformers costing a thousand quid and huge solar portable panels. Your charging your phone and running a fridge for crying out loud. How often are people parked up off grid for weeks on end? Never. If it was a conversion or a beach I would get it a bit more. Just use the built in power, it's fine.

I think depends on individual use case, I have 2 kids so we carry an air fryer and also use the diesel heater and electric kettle for simplicity.

Kids have an electirc bottom sheet to warm the top bed before bed which has been great for cold nights.

I also have an emtb due to knees which is easy now to charge up. The kayak also uses an electric pump as smaller size etc etc...

overall it helps to have the extra power and charging like home from home.

Ps was super useful to have power as travelled around Europe and some campsites had no hook up so we could pick the best pitches near the beach for 1 week no issues and didn't have to start the engine.

happy camping

 

[Restival]

It's a great question about mindset vs use case...I'm thinking of adding solar but want to see how the onboard stuff copes with a 19 day run to Austria and back using mostly EHU on sites then 5 off-grid weekends at festivals. I'm the guy who has a 12 GB monthly allowance on his phone and uses barely any of it, but relaxed as it's there 'just in case'...

Be interested to see just how close one gets to running out before it triggers the purchase of extra capacity...worst case I assume one runs the engine if you realize in time there's a problem

 

[andybeary]

It's a great question about mindset vs use case...I'm thinking of adding solar but want to see how the onboard stuff copes with a 19 day run to Austria and back using mostly EHU on sites then 5 off-grid weekends at festivals. I'm the guy who has a 12 GB monthly allowance on his phone and uses barely any of it, but relaxed as it's there 'just in case'...

Be interested to see just how close one gets to running out before it triggers the purchase of extra capacity...worst case I assume one runs the engine if you realize in time there's a problem

Agree all depends on your use case and situation, i don't take the 400w portable solar panels everytime we go away only if i know we won't have ehu.

 

[Wannabecamperman]

I think depends on individual use case, I have 2 kids so we carry an air fryer and also use the diesel heater and electric kettle for simplicity.

Kids have an electirc bottom sheet to warm the top bed before bed which has been great for cold nights.

I also have an emtb due to knees which is easy now to charge up. The kayak also uses an electric pump as smaller size etc etc...

overall it helps to have the extra power and charging like home from home.

Ps was super useful to have power as travelled around Europe and some campsites had no hook up so we could pick the best pitches near the beach for 1 week no issues and didn't have to start the engine.

happy camping

We, like you, also often take an air fryer and leccy kettle, plus hair dryer and several tablets and a gaming laptop plus 5G router with us. We always off grid and won't use gas. So I get it and applaud the organisation.

And yes, the 400w panel will yield FAR more wattage flat or angled with all bus bars exposed to sunlight. It caps out at around 358w if minimising line loss.