Accessories For Sale Solar Panels 360W & Victron MPPT 100/20 - Full Kit

360W - 3 solar panels, on black anodised frames, with a Victron MPPT 100/20 SmartSolar charge controller.

This is a full setup with a DC switch to isolate the panels, and an inline 40A fuse to the leisure batteries. There is an individually fused board fir the load output for charging other accessories (I used it for my Ecoflow Delta 2 also for sale separately).

All cables supplied to run to leisure batteries. This is a full setup with all you need to run off grid.

All the above is mounted on a bespoke metal frame which fits in the top shelf of the rear cupboard.

App isn’t letting me add photos. I will edit later.

£600 ono

Collection near Stroud/Cirencester or possibly Reading/Theale area

Actually interested in buying it back!
Could you let me know the length of the bars please. From hole to hole that bolts into the t-track !
Sent you a PM.

Californication69 said:

Actually interested in buying it back!
Could you let me know the length of the bars please. From hole to hole that bolts into the t-track !
Sent you a PM.

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Hi - this will fit T5, T6 and T7/Multivan - all share the same roof track dimensions.

Bump

Have sent a dm. Thanks

Have you got any photos?

Here are some pics in situ on the roof, and the setup to attach it to the back of the top shelf in the rear cupboard.

There is a bit of residue where some aerials/WiFi were attached previously. Should have cleaned it off before photos.

Also added a pic of the output - it would happily generate 1kWh even with the roof down. Best thing for the van.

Bump

Bump

Bump & price reduction to £550

I feel the only ethical thing to do here is to inform any potential buyers that with the package being sold here you will only be able to utilize a maximum of 290 watts of the total 360 watts of available solar from the panels due to the use of the small Victron 100/20 MPPT charge controller. The MPPT will reduce power to a maximum of 20 Amps at 12 volts to the batteries. The only way to get the full power is to upgrade to, for example, a Victron 100/30 MPPT charge controller.

I don't mean any disrespect to the seller, but I had informed him in another thread about this and he has chosen not to inform potential buyers. You can also see the proof of this above in his screenshot which never exceeds 290 watts.

More details here:

The Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/20 charge controller, when used with a 12V battery system, has a maximum solar power input of 290W. This is based on its specifications, which allow for a maximum PV open circuit voltage (Voc) of 100V and a maximum charge current of 20A.


To ensure safe operation:

• The total solar panel array’s Voc must not exceed 100V under any conditions (including cold temperatures, which increase Voc).
• The maximum PV short circuit current (Isc) should not exceed 20A.
• The nominal PV power for a 12V system is limited to 290W, as exceeding this may cause the controller to limit input power to protect itself.

For example, you could use a single 200W panel or two 100W panels in series or parallel, as long as the combined Voc stays below 100V and the total power is within 290W. Always check panel specifications and account for temperature effects on voltage.

I will say that the price being asked is a very fair price. I merely wanted to state that the sizing is insufficient to utilize the full power of the panels. However, the seller also wanted to use the load physical port to charge an ecoflow and not only the leisure batteries. This is ONLY possible on the MPPT 100/20 as the 100/30 and 100/50 do not have physical load ports and would only offer charging of the leisure batteries.

Thanks for the input @Webbah_in_Switzerland, having followed your Joker blog, I know you know your off-grid setup very well.

I went over-sized/over-paneled in order to maximise solar return during sub optimal conditions (which we often have in the UK), for cloudy days, orientation to sun, with the roof down etc.

Panels realistically function at 85% of their rated value, so the three panel setup is almost on the 290W limit for the 100/20.

Victron MPPT controllers are designed to limit the power they output to the battery, even if the PV array is capable of producing more power.

Over sizing allows for more power to be captured during cloudy days, or when the sun is not at its peak, by allowing the controller to operate closer to its maximum output for a longer period.

I hope this clarifies the setup rationale.

Webbah_in_Switzerland said:

I will say that the price being asked is a very fair price. I merely wanted to state that the sizing is insufficient to utilize the full power of the panels. However, the seller also wanted to use the load physical port to charge an ecoflow and not only the leisure batteries. This is ONLY possible on the MPPT 100/20 as the 100/30 and 100/50 do not have physical load ports and would only offer charging of the leisure batteries.

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Exactly this - the MPPT 100/20 has a load output, so I can charge the EcoFlow D2 and any other accessories through an individually fused load output board.

The higher rated Victron MPPTs can't achieve this directly.

I attached a 12V female cigarette lighter adapter to one, so I had 3 handily placed 12V outputs in the cupboard if needed.

I found this setup very adaptable and very efficient. Using the Victron app to optimise charging meant my leisure batteries were always topped up to a minimum voltage before diverting solar yield to the other accessories. Fridge > need than electric kettle (or my wife's hair tongs...).

Any questions, please feel free to ask.

One other option is to use the 100/20 for the Ecoflow with the load port and have MC4 pigtail cables to be used whenever additional power is desired with external portable panels (you can use the load ports without solar connected) and have a 100/30 installed for full use of the roof solar setup.

Thanks @Webbah_in_Switzerland

This was going to be my suggestion - system can be upgraded for anyone who is likely to need the ful theoretical power of the panels - eg high summer in Europe (or even the UK this year).

In practice, I found yielding 1kWh plus per day was more than enough to run the fridge on 3-4, living area lights, charging devices and keeping the Ecoflow charged. It gave me peace of mind over a two panel setup, especially in shoulder seasons here.

Of course, power useage depends on use case. I know you work from your van and with all your devices for work, you are a high consumer.

For the majority of use cases (unless you drink 20 cups of tea/coffee/day), I found the setup yielded more than enough. But enough to be certain the fridge wouldn't pack up when the sun was pounding against the nearside panel.

Webbah_in_Switzerland said:

I feel the only ethical thing to do here is to inform any potential buyers that with the package being sold here you will only be able to utilize a maximum of 290 watts of the total 360 watts of available solar from the panels due to the use of the small Victron 100/20 MPPT charge controller. The MPPT will reduce power to a maximum of 20 Amps at 12 volts to the batteries. The only way to get the full power is to upgrade to, for example, a Victron 100/30 MPPT charge controller.

I don't mean any disrespect to the seller, but I had informed him in another thread about this and he has chosen not to inform potential buyers. You can also see the proof of this above in his screenshot which never exceeds 290 watts.

Click to expand...

One thing re the P Max figures from my screen grab from the Victron app, there are some assumptions made in your comment.

We can’t know the conditions, sunlight, orientation to the sun (south being optimal), and indeed angle of the panels (30-40 degrees being optimal), purely from the output stats. As you know from your setup which allows you to angle and pivot your solar array to the sun, this is critical to maximise yield.

From the screen grab, at no point did the 3 panel array reach the 290W max input for the Victron 100/20.

That last day on the screen grab was parked at Camping d’Alet in St Malo this summer in 30 degree sun, rear of the vehicle facing south, roof raised (which on a Cali is 23 degrees).

I hope this allays any concerns that the existing MPPT is not specced highly enough in real conditions vs theoretical.

Any questions, please feel free to ask, here or DM.

Excluding all of this and the screenshot, the fact remains that even with perfect tilt angle and perfect conditions the Victron 100/20 MPPT will never achieve more than 290 watts. The device will limit solar input to protect itself. If it didn’t it would likely be a fire hazard as the input exceeds its rated capacity.


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Webbah_in_Switzerland said:

Excluding all of this and the screenshot, the fact remains that even with perfect tilt angle and perfect conditions the Victron 100/20 MPPT will never achieve more than 290 watts. The device will limit solar input to protect itself. If it didn’t it would likely be a fire hazard as the input exceeds its rated capacity.


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But the tilt can't ever be perfect. It can only max at 22.5 degrees. Versus an optimal of 40 degrees.

The setup was designed to be overclocked for this very reason.

That was what I was trying to establish. Real world vs theoretical.

This debate is great. All I can establish is my real world experience.

So with lower rated panels, the P Max in my experience would be lower.

This is from Grok - a source you respect.

Key Factors to Consider​

1. Orientation and Tilt Impact:
   • Ideal Conditions: In the UK, solar panels perform best facing south with a tilt of 30-40° to capture maximum sunlight, especially during summer months like July. Misalignment (e.g., east/west facing or flat roofs) can reduce output by 10-25%, per the Energy Saving Trust.
   • Your Situation: If you can’t angle perfectly, output loss depends on deviation. East/west orientations might yield 80-90% of optimal, while north-facing could drop to 50-70%. Oversizing could offset this by generating excess power during peak sun hours.
2. Overspecification Benefits:
   • Increased Yield: A larger system (e.g., 6 kW instead of 4 kW for a typical home) can produce more kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually, compensating for angle inefficiencies. For example, a 4 kW system might generate 3,400 kWh/year optimally; oversizing to 6 kW could push this to 5,100 kWh, even with reduced efficiency.
   • Future-Proofing: Higher capacity accommodates rising energy needs (e.g., electric vehicles, heat pumps) or feed-in tariff (FIT) earnings if available.
   • Summer Surplus: In July, with ~5-6 peak sun hours daily in the UK, excess generation can be sold back to the grid or stored (if you have a battery).

JuanVecino2023 said:

But the tilt can't ever be perfect. It can only max at 22.5 degrees. Versus an optimal of 40 degrees.

The setup was designed to be overclocked for this very reason.

That was what I was trying to establish. Real world vs theoretical.

This debate is great. All I can establish is my real world experience.

So with lower rated panels, the P Max in my experience would be lower.

This is from Grok - a source you respect.

Key Factors to Consider​

1. Orientation and Tilt Impact:
   • Ideal Conditions: In the UK, solar panels perform best facing south with a tilt of 30-40° to capture maximum sunlight, especially during summer months like July. Misalignment (e.g., east/west facing or flat roofs) can reduce output by 10-25%, per the Energy Saving Trust.
   • Your Situation: If you can’t angle perfectly, output loss depends on deviation. East/west orientations might yield 80-90% of optimal, while north-facing could drop to 50-70%. Oversizing could offset this by generating excess power during peak sun hours.
2. Overspecification Benefits:
   • Increased Yield: A larger system (e.g., 6 kW instead of 4 kW for a typical home) can produce more kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually, compensating for angle inefficiencies. For example, a 4 kW system might generate 3,400 kWh/year optimally; oversizing to 6 kW could push this to 5,100 kWh, even with reduced efficiency.
   • Future-Proofing: Higher capacity accommodates rising energy needs (e.g., electric vehicles, heat pumps) or feed-in tariff (FIT) earnings if available.
   • Summer Surplus: In July, with ~5-6 peak sun hours daily in the UK, excess generation can be sold back to the grid or stored (if you have a battery).

Click to expand...

Awesome! Here’s specific to your case:

The Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/20 charge controller is rated for a nominal PV power of 290W in a 12V battery system. Using 360W of solar input represents overpaneling by approximately 24%, which Victron generally allows and even recommends up to around 30% for improved performance in low-light conditions (e.g., cloudy days or early/late hours), as the controller will simply limit its output to the maximum charge current of 20A without drawing excess power.
However, there are a few potential risks and considerations to be aware of:
• Power Clipping and Inefficiency: The controller will cap output at around 290W (based on battery voltage during charging, typically 14-14.4V), meaning any excess from the 360W array won’t be utilized. This isn’t a risk to the hardware but results in underused panel capacity during peak sunlight.
• Overheating: Constant operation near or at the maximum output due to overpaneling could cause the controller to run hotter, potentially leading to thermal derating (reduced output to prevent damage) if ambient temperatures exceed 40°C. Victron controllers include built-in temperature protection, so this rarely causes failure, but ensure good ventilation and mounting in a shaded area.
• Reverse Polarity Damage if Isc Exceeds Limits: The maximum recommended PV short circuit current (Isc) is 20A. If your 360W array’s Isc exceeds this (e.g., multiple panels in parallel producing higher combined current), there’s no issue during normal operation—the controller limits input. However, in the event of accidental reverse polarity connection during installation, higher Isc could damage internal components. Always double-check wiring and consider fuses on the PV side.
• Voltage Risks: Ensure the array’s open circuit voltage (Voc) stays below 100V, even in cold temperatures (add a 10-25% safety margin for voltage rise in freezing conditions). Exceeding Voc can trigger an overvoltage error and halt charging, or in extreme cases, damage the unit.
Overall, overpaneling at this level is common and low-risk if the system is properly configured and installed, with no damage expected under normal use. Victron’s design self-limits power to protect itself. If your array’s specs (Voc and Isc) push close to limits, upgrading to a 100/30 (rated for 440W at 12V) would eliminate any concerns. 21 16 18 4 9


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Here's the key takeaway from your post, employing my simple logic:

"The Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/20 charge controller is rated for a nominal PV power of 290W in a 12V battery system.

Using 360W of solar input represents overpaneling by approximately 24%, which Victron generally allows and even recommends up to around 30% for improved performance in low-light conditions (e.g., cloudy days or early/late hours), as the controller will simply limit its output to the maximum charge current of 20A without drawing excess power.""

As I have tried to establish, there is a clear logic to overpaneling. Especially in the UK - we don't often see optimal conditions for long. Coupled with max angle of a Cali roof, the setup has a clear rationale.

I see a simple analogy. I like ICE cars. I hesitate to say 'petrolhead'. - there is a huge difference with quoted 0-60 mph figures, generated under perfect test track conditions, with a test pilot at the wheel, ideal gear changes etc - and what I can achieve in the real world in real world conditions.

In the real world, this array never maxxed out, nor damaged the Victron controller.

I do not believe I am misrepresenting, mis-selling, or misleading anyone. Nor would that be my wish. I am struggling to understand the moral/ethical angle.