Longevity of Solar Camper Solutions panels

[Ch1pbutty]

@Roger Donoghue

I am just about to order 2 panels for 2012 Beach.

- What is your current lead time for supply?
- How easy is it to also allow also charging of the main battery. Does it need a new wire running to the main battery, or, do you connect to an existing one under the passenger seat.


Many thanks

 

[bvddobb]

Ours are 10 years old now. Still working very nicely, keeping us off grid for several days in a row. But they were never the thin, flexible, glue-on etc. type. We have the heavy, high (cooling!) solid frame type, as used on yachts. As IBM used to say: "it's not the newest technology, it's reliable technology!" Costed € 800,-, back then.

 

[Richardhammond]

Let's all give Roger a break he truly does his best and has been a great asset to this group as we all know technology moves on at a great pace
Anyone want to buy a Nokia 3310

 

[WelshGas]

@Roger Donoghue

I am just about to order 2 panels for 2012 Beach.

- What is your current lead time for supply?
- How easy is it to also allow also charging of the main battery. Does it need a new wire running to the main battery, or, do you connect to an existing one under the passenger seat.


Many thanks

I believe you connect to the engine battery via the Split Charge circuitry under the Passenger Seat.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

I believe you connect to the engine battery via the Split Charge circuitry under the Passenger Seat.

That’s where Roger connected mine.

 

[bvddobb]

Anyone want to buy a Nokia 3310

Depends on how/where one is travelling. Along the Silk Route, somewhere in Kirgizstan, indeed we’d rather have a dependable 3310 which holds its charge two weeks, than a modern iPhone that doesn’t last a day. Or drive a T3 Syncro, rather than a modern day 4Motion, with its dependency on all kinds of electronics. At home, we prefer the iPhone and the 4Motion.
Each solution its own problem!

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Depends on how/where one is travelling. Along the Silk Route, somewhere in Kirgizstan, indeed we’d rather have a dependable 3310 which holds its charge two weeks, than a modern iPhone that doesn’t last a day. Or drive a T3 Syncro, rather than a modern day 4Motion, with its dependency on all kinds of electronics. At home, we prefer the iPhone and the 4Motion.
Each solution its own problem!

How about a Camel train and a crate full of Carrier Pigeons

 

[Ch1pbutty]

I believe you connect to the engine battery via the Split Charge circuitry under the Passenger Seat.

Cheers, think I have found the thread:

Split charging relay question

There is a relay under the passenger seat that is energised when the engine is running, connecting the starter battery to the leissure battery/s so they are charged whilst the engine runs. In my solar charger instructions specifically for the WRM15 dual battery charger I advise connecting to...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

I emailed Roger a few weeks ago but have yet to receive a reply, so will probably just go ahead and order from him. Looks like no need to pull up cab carpet etc to get a feed to the main battery.

 

[Properjob]

Cheers, think I have found the thread:

Split charging relay question

There is a relay under the passenger seat that is energised when the engine is running, connecting the starter battery to the leissure battery/s so they are charged whilst the engine runs. In my solar charger instructions specifically for the WRM15 dual battery charger I advise connecting to...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

I emailed Roger a few weeks ago but have yet to receive a reply, so will probably just go ahead and order from him. Looks like no need to pull up cab carpet etc to get a feed to the main battery.

You don’t need to pull up carpet. You can see in the pic here where I led the cable so there’s a tiny bit showing between the pillar and the seat base.

 

[Roger Donoghue]

@Roger Donoghue

I am just about to order 2 panels for 2012 Beach.

- What is your current lead time for supply?
- How easy is it to also allow also charging of the main battery. Does it need a new wire running to the main battery, or, do you connect to an existing one under the passenger seat.


Many thanks

Hi, a few working days from order . Everything is in stock.

- to charge the starter as well you need the Epever Duo. You eitehr tap into the relay under the pass seat, or run the cable on into the bonnet and go direct to the battery.

 

[Roger Donoghue]

Cheers, think I have found the thread:

Split charging relay question

There is a relay under the passenger seat that is energised when the engine is running, connecting the starter battery to the leissure battery/s so they are charged whilst the engine runs. In my solar charger instructions specifically for the WRM15 dual battery charger I advise connecting to...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

I emailed Roger a few weeks ago but have yet to receive a reply, so will probably just go ahead and order from him. Looks like no need to pull up cab carpet etc to get a feed to the main battery.

Pop me a PM with your email address. I reply to all emails - perhaps some got lost when my mail server went down due to being full. I'd like to check to be sure.

R

 

[Ch1pbutty]

All done!, cheers @Roger Donoghue

 

[Loz]

 

[Ch1pbutty]

View attachment 81558

There is already an in-line fuse. It’s tucked away in the fuse holder with the VW fuses.

 

[Loz]

There is already an in-line fuse. It’s tucked away in the fuse holder with the VW fuses.

excellent

 

[WelshGas]

View attachment 81558

Why should you move the wire on the -tve terminal, on a Beach?

 

[Loz]

Why should you move the wire on the -tve terminal, on a Beach?

Is it a beach? then no need.
I saw a photo a few posts back of a red wire coming out from under a sink unit so thought that was a follow on post.

 

[Joker 1299]

Mine seems to have failed at 4 years. No complaints, nothing lasts forever. Just ordered a replacement plus an additional panel from Roger. Great response and a pleasure to do business with. @Roger Donoghue