New Solar Panel

[Jason craig]

OK, so i bit the bullet and purchased a 280w solar panel and the best MPPT i could get. I have made a metal tray for the panel that fits nicely into the roof rails.
My question is, whats the best way of bringing the cables into the vehical. I would prefer not to see cables running down the roof.
Any suggestions?

Many Thanks

 

[bigmac77]

Search for solar panels on the forum there are a few threads with lots of installation photos.

 

[SimonB]

OK, so i bit the bullet and purchased a 280w solar panel and the best MPPT i could get. I have made a metal tray for the panel that fits nicely into the roof rails.
My question is, whats the best way of bringing the cables into the vehical. I would prefer not to see cables running down the roof.
Any suggestions?

Many Thanks

This is quite a long thread, but here is a link to the relevant part of it.
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/thread...5-facelift-waiting-roof-rot-work.10526/page-3
I had mine done like this and it works well. No leaks and no holes to drill. Simon

 

[sapto]

OK, so i bit the bullet and purchased a 280w solar panel and the best MPPT i could get. I have made a metal tray for the panel that fits nicely into the roof rails.
My question is, whats the best way of bringing the cables into the vehical. I would prefer not to see cables running down the roof.
Any suggestions?

Many Thanks

Although it is in German there are some great pictures: http://www.caliboard.de/showthread....%E0-la-pupsili&p=155963&viewfull=1#post155963

I hope you do not have to be member to see the full sized pictures... otherwise I am happy to printscreen them for you.

 

[2into1]

a 280w solar panel

That's a lovely high capacity and will make a huge difference to how you can use the van . Physically, how big is it? I'm assuming it doesn't overhang the ends

 

[Jason craig]

That's a lovely high capacity and will make a huge difference to how you can use the van . Physically, how big is it? I'm assuming it doesn't overhang the ends

It's 1600x990 so it fits between the rails. I had a tray manufactured that sits on and secures to the rails. The tray is recessed so the top of the panel is the same hight as the rail. I will put pics up once fully installed

 

[MattBW]

Would be interested to see that

280w should be a all round offgrid solution

 

[Vwcaliforniajapan]

Why is it not possible to connect a solar panel to the external socket of the car ??

 

[Loz]

Why is it not possible to connect a solar panel to the external socket of the car ??

Mobile Solar unit output is 14v DC the external socket requires 240v AC.

Can I politely suggest you don't undertake any electrical work yourself.

 

[Vwcaliforniajapan]

Mobile Solar unit output is 14v DC the external socket requires 240v AC.

Can I politely suggest you don't undertake any electrical work yourself.

Ha ha I hear you ! I did mean with a converter

 

[MattBW]

I've seen people put a solar 12v port in the hookup port, but I don't think I've seen it done on a cali.

 

[Loz]

Ha ha I hear you ! I did mean with a converter

Technically possible but the losses involved in inverting up and then transforming back down again through the vehicles battery charger make this very inefficient, cut out the middlemen(inverters etc,) and cost and have a dedicated vehicle system..

 

[Vwcaliforniajapan]

Technically possible but the losses involved in inverting up and then transforming back down again through the vehicles battery charger make this very inefficient, cut out the middlemen(inverters etc,) and cost and have a dedicated vehicle system..

Thanks, I dont want to have panels on the roof, ( I wanna be able to clean the roof properly ) but when using a portable panel I want to connect it from outside to avoid cables inside the car.

Any good suggestions ?

 

[Stoneybroke]

Thanks, I dont want to have panels on the roof, ( I wanna be able to clean the roof properly ) but when using a portable panel I want to connect it from outside to avoid cables inside the car.

Any good suggestions ?

On our old Caravelle, I took the wires under the carpet from the under seat battery, through an existing rubber grommet in the front bulkhead, the comes out behind the starter battery. One in the engine compartment, I terminated the cables with the solar connectors, so just popped the bonnet, connected the feed from the folding solar panel, then drop the bonnet into the first catch - all tidy.

Some photos from a previous post can be seen here
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/thread...gine-bay-to-wardrobe.15505/page-2#post-168181

Yet to decide how to do things on the T6.

 

[Loz]

Thanks, I dont want to have panels on the roof, ( I wanna be able to clean the roof properly ) but when using a portable panel I want to connect it from outside to avoid cables inside the car.

Any good suggestions ?

You could have a portable folding panel with built in solar charge controller and a lead to plug into the cigar socket..

 

[Vwcaliforniajapan]

You could have a portable folding panel with built in solar charge controller and a lead to plug into the cigar socket..

Yes but many posts in here say we shouldn't use the cigar socket for charging our Cali's............???

 

[Loz]

Yes but many posts in here say we shouldn't use the cigar socket for charging our Cali's............???

They are rated at 10 amps and permanently connected and I have done it before on a previous vehicle, so can't see an issue. If you wanted to make it more permanent you could add a dedicated socket for it somewhere. You can close the front door on the cable as the seals are fat enough not to damage the cable.

 

[Goldie]

I was in a local marine store today and bought a flexible solar panel http://www.burnsco.co.nz/productdisplay.aspx?categoryid=290&productid=15133&colour=. I reckon it can live under the mattress in the boot and I'll attach it to the roof or bike rack with bungee cord when I get to site. It's only 100W, but apart from lights and compressor fridge I don't use much electrics or stay for long. Seems quite tough and on a boat they get walked on etc.
It came with a 20 Amp MPPT regulator which I'll fit in my pod just behind the passenger seat. I have cigar lighter connector but was thinking of connecting it directly to the leisure battery. Anyone done this and what sort of connector did you use?

Andy

 

[MattBW]

100w is actually pretty good in summer in the U.K. I struggled to use it all on an 80w looks similar to the panel on my t25.


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