Buy all your VW California Accessories at the Club Shop Visit Shop

Solar Panel

A

Alan Clark

Messages
1
Location
Matlock
Vehicle
T5 SE 180
Anybody any experience of using solar panels with their Cali, in particular the Solar Camper Solutions unit??
 
Roger fitted ours in December ,excellent service .Had no problems with it .Only been away a couple of times since and had EHU for them so cant really comment apart from they have kept the leisure batterys at 100% even through the dark winter since fitted.
 
Mods - can we collapse / wind into another thread pls?
 
Alan Clark said:
Anybody any experience of using solar panels with their Cali, in particular the Solar Camper Solutions unit??
Click to expand...
I visited Roger just before Easter and collected my 200w panel kit. My brother helped me fit them which took just over an hour. Unfortunately I was given the kit for a Ocean, and one of the leads was a little short. I made a minor detour on my way from Somerset to Devon and an apologetic Roger gave me the correct length lead.

If you have a Beach, accessing the leisure battery is a bit of a faff - probably easier to remove the passenger seat which is very easy. Cables mostly hidden from view. You do need to tuck a bit of cable into a void near the tailgate hinge each time you lower the pop top.

My fridge is now on constant in the van. No problems. Save about £3 each night I camp without hookup, so payback period is 250 to 300 nights without hookup. I would expect 200w to be sufficient for winter camping, 100w for summer only.

I am very happy to be able to recommend Solar Camping Solutions.
 
Last edited:
We had ours fitted over a year ago by Roger and it is superb.
I'm sitting in Brean at present, no hook up and been here since Saturday. Leisure batteries still at 100%, wine and milk in fridge cold. Have charged phones, tablet, etc. There are lots of threads on this subject and all seem very positive about the panel.
Simon
 
My 'ROGER' kit is playing up. About 4 weeks ago the MPPT started showing only 9volts and no amps from the PV in direct strong sun.

Have cleaned the panel and checked all contacts, then used a multi meter to test at the panel, still only 9volts.

Any ideas please ?
 
Hi @BerndRos - you had yours installed just before our, I think, so it's only about 14 months.
Have you contacted Roger Donoghue and asked him what it could be?
He's been very helpful when I've contacted him over any issues. Simon
 
SimonB said:
Hi @BerndRos - you had yours installed just before our, I think, so it's only about 14 months.
Have you contacted Roger Donoghue and asked him what it could be?
He's been very helpful when I've contacted him over any issues. Simon
Click to expand...
Yep, have emailed Roger. Do you know what warranty he provides ?
 
I can't remember, but I'm sure it was longer than a year. I think he said he was still helping customers from a couple of years back. I've just checked his web site and can't see anything on there specifically.
There's a note that he's off to Glastonbury, so I should ring him in case it is something straightforward as they start to arrive there on Wednesday.
His number from the website is 07709615075

Simon
 
BerndRos said:
My 'ROGER' kit is playing up. About 4 weeks ago the MPPT started showing only 9volts and no amps from the PV in direct strong sun.

Have cleaned the panel and checked all contacts, then used a multi meter to test at the panel, still only 9volts.

Any ideas please ?
Click to expand...
Hi, l have a similar issue. The MPPT shows 14v but I cannot get more than max 1.5 A. Tried everything. Checked cabling and connections, reset the MPPT. Tried with full and low battery and different amounts of sun. The result is that my fridge is draining the battery and the solar panel has no effect. I used to get at least 3.5A. Unsure whether to buy a new panel or MPPT?
 
Michael G said:
Hi, l have a similar issue. The MPPT shows 14v but I cannot get more than max 1.5 A. Tried everything. Checked cabling and connections, reset the MPPT. Tried with full and low battery and different amounts of sun. The result is that my fridge is draining the battery and the solar panel has no effect. I used to get at least 3.5A. Unsure whether to buy a new panel or MPPT?
Click to expand...
First, with a multi meter test the voltage at the join in the cabling on the roof, or further back inside the junction box on the solar panel. If that reads the same as on your MPPT, then it's the panel rather than the MPPT, I think.
 
I'm chatting with Michael about this on email. It's a little odd. Michael told me he's not got more than 2.5Amps charging current. What's odd is when panels fail they either drop to zero volts, 9 volts, or, show full voltage with zero charging amps. I've never seen a panel "partially charge" - it's either 0 to 0.1 amps, or nothing. Never anything in between. And measuring the panel voltage doesn't really tell you what you need to know.

However, that does not mean it is impossible, and it could also be the charger , though this would be the first Epever to fail in 3 years (well, second, but the other just stopped working altogether).

In our last communication 5 days ago, I suggested Michael finishes his holiday and lets me know how he got on. I can't do anything while he's away. He's well within warranty and we will sort his problem out on return.
 
Hi Roger,

I sent you an email earlier this evening about my issues, hope you got it....thanks...Kevin
 
Hi Kevn, I replied earlier. Is it in your spam folder?
 
Hi Kev - send me a PM here. My emails to you are getting returned. I think you made a typo when putting in your email address on my enquiry form. PM me your email address - or email me at roger.donoghue@solarcampersolutions.co.uk
 
Got your email and sent a reply to the correct address.
 
Michael G said:
Hi, l have a similar issue. The MPPT shows 14v but I cannot get more than max 1.5 A. Tried everything. Checked cabling and connections, reset the MPPT. Tried with full and low battery and different amounts of sun. The result is that my fridge is draining the battery and the solar panel has no effect. I used to get at least 3.5A. Unsure whether to buy a new panel or MPPT?
Click to expand...
Hi, I’m having a similar problem with my Roger installation. What was the solution in the end?
 
BerndRos said:
My 'ROGER' kit is playing up. About 4 weeks ago the MPPT started showing only 9volts and no amps from the PV in direct strong sun.

Have cleaned the panel and checked all contacts, then used a multi meter to test at the panel, still only 9volts.

Any ideas please ?
Click to expand...
Hi, what was the solution? My Roger installation is playing up!
 
Hi Holly, if you drop me an email (address is below) I can walk you through some diagnostics.

R
 
Holly said:
Hi, I’m having a similar problem with my Roger installation. What was the solution in the end?
Click to expand...
My experience with MPPT is that if your battery is full or close to full it will ramp down. Does the amps go up if you put a load on your battery? :)
 
Holly, I don't think I ever heard back from you? Do contact me on email and I'll help you of course. (unless your realy name begins with A , in which case we have sorted your issue - that's my only recent contact with anyone from Winchester)

R
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Private_Kelly
Sunny Side Up.
Replies
1
Views
619
Vagophile
V
Ian Allan
Reset interior light
Replies
5
Views
1K
Ian Allan
Ian Allan
Roc1
Which solar charger?
Replies
2
Views
857
Roger Donoghue
Roger Donoghue
kp64zl
Wind Turbines
Replies
13
Views
2K
kp64zl
kp64zl
Sue Wright
Solar Panel supplier and fitter in West London/Middlesex Area
Replies
3
Views
880
Sue Wright
Sue Wright

Useful links

VW California Club

  • CampervanBits Accessories
  • Comfort Insurance
  • VIP Membership
  • Conquest
  • Sale from Campervanbits
  • Hire a Vw California

About us

The VW California Club is the worlds largest resource for all owners and enthusiasts of VW California campervans.

Our Partners

Our Partners

Back
Top