Solar dilemma

[Jackpine]

Hi,
Not had my Cali SE long, it came with a Cali topper and a Khyam Cozi topper.
If I put solar on the roof these are no longer any use.
So do I do solar and Iso-top or something else.
Advice please.
Thanks in advance

 

[Vagophile]

Hi,
Not had my Cali SE long, it came with a Cali topper and a Khyam Cozi topper.
If I put solar on the roof these are no longer any use.
So do I do solar and Iso-top or something else.
Advice please.
Thanks in advance

Go solar and Isotop. There is a market for the redundant kit.

 

[Meoncoast]

cut a hole in it

 

[calikev]

Bin the Kyham cosy

 

[Wongo]

Sell them then buy the roofless topper from the shop, good kit.

 

[CALI FATE]

Toppers are for wimps - get a cosy duvet and go for the solar - you wont look back

 

[soulstyledevon]

Toppers are for wimps - get a cosy duvet and go for the solar - you wont look back

Well said Cali Fate...

 

[Amarillo]

Roofless topper and solar.

 

[CALI FATE]

Roofless topper and solar.
View attachment 58204

can think of anywhere other than the sahara desert where you might need solar and cosy roof sock at the same time

 

[TripleBee]

Roofless topper and solar.
View attachment 58204

You wimp!

 

[CannonDale]

Hi,
Not had my Cali SE long, it came with a Cali topper and a Khyam Cozi topper.
If I put solar on the roof these are no longer any use.
So do I do solar and Iso-top or something else.
Advice please.
Thanks in advance

Get a Cali Wrap from the club shop

 

[California4x4]

can think of anywhere other than the sahara desert where you might need solar and cosy roof sock at the same time

Both were handy for an off-season tour of Norway.



solar panel on roof box.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Both were handy for an off-season tour of Norway.

View attachment 58209
View attachment 58210
solar panel on roof box.
View attachment 58211

I was about to comment. Guy blocks solar panel with roof box...
Good idea sticking it on the box

 

[Amarillo]

can think of anywhere other than the sahara desert where you might need solar and cosy roof sock at the same time

A rainy Flåm in June (photo).
Pyrenees in November.
Bulgaria and the Beast from the East.
Carpathians over Easter.
Corf Castle in stormy weather.

If you have it, you can use it. If you don’t have it you can’t.

It is also useful to keep the light out when the sun doesn’t set.

 

[CALI FATE]

If it was a cloudy day in the Skanderberg foothills and i had an industrial sized sun lamp in the van i still dont think i would use it

 

[sbmcd]

Toppers are for wimps - get a cosy duvet and go for the solar - you wont look back

Toppers are very useful when camping in sub zero and snow conditions. If you want solar get a rootless topper as we have, allows roof bars, ski box or solar panels.

 

[WelshGas]

If the weather is that bad that you require a Topper then the likelihood of getting any significant benefit from a Solar panel is probably minimal eg: Winter with heavy rain or snow for prolonged periods and wild camping.

 

[andyinluton]

Hi,
Not had my Cali SE long, it came with a Cali topper and a Khyam Cozi topper.
If I put solar on the roof these are no longer any use.
So do I do solar and Iso-top or something else.
Advice please.
Thanks in advance

Are you sure you need solar?
We have managed 6 years so far & never felt the need. Unless you are parked up in one place for more than about 3 days without hookup & not moving you shouldn't need it unless the batteries are shot.

 

[WelshGas]

Are you sure you need solar?
We have managed 6 years so far & never felt the need. Unless you are parked up in one place for more than about 3 days without hookup & not moving you shouldn't need it unless the batteries are shot.

It is useful if you don’t have easy access to mains power at home, to keep the batteries fully charged.

 

[Italiahorse]

Modify the topper

 

[Jackpine]

Thanks everyone for your comments

 

[Trail Planner]

In my experience. Solar is good for 3 things:

1) When you are parked up for a while at a site and need to keep the battery topped up to power the fridge. This is only needed when you do not have access to mains charging.

2) Keeping the battery topped up to extended life when the vehicle is parked up for long periods (say > 1 month).

3) Avoiding hook-up charges (but you this might mean you get a pitch that is not hard standing). In winter camps, you are probably on hook up anyway, to power the heater (depends on the heater type)

My conclusion was to fit a portable. I just place it on the bike rack, or roof if the roof is down when I need it. Usually, driving keeps charge topped up and I often use hook-ups. Solar keeps my battery fresh over winter months and is definitely useful at festivals, where hook up is rare and you need that beer to be cool.

Hope that helps.

 

[Jackpine]

In my experience. Solar is good for 3 things:

1) When you are parked up for a while at a site and need to keep the battery topped up to power the fridge. This is only needed when you do not have access to mains charging.

2) Keeping the battery topped up to extended life when the vehicle is parked up for long periods (say > 1 month).

3) Avoiding hook-up charges (but you this might mean you get a pitch that is not hard standing). In winter camps, you are probably on hook up anyway, to power the heater (depends on the heater type)

My conclusion was to fit a portable. I just place it on the bike rack, or roof if the roof is down when I need it. Usually, driving keeps charge topped up and I often use hook-ups. Solar keeps my battery fresh over winter months and is definitely useful at festivals, where hook up is rare and you need that beer to be cool.

Hope that helps.

Thanks yes it helps

 

[campandfly]

In my experience. Solar is good for 3 things:

1) When you are parked up for a while at a site and need to keep the battery topped up to power the fridge. This is only needed when you do not have access to mains charging.

2) Keeping the battery topped up to extended life when the vehicle is parked up for long periods (say > 1 month).

3) Avoiding hook-up charges (but you this might mean you get a pitch that is not hard standing). In winter camps, you are probably on hook up anyway, to power the heater (depends on the heater type)

My conclusion was to fit a portable. I just place it on the bike rack, or roof if the roof is down when I need it. Usually, driving keeps charge topped up and I often use hook-ups. Solar keeps my battery fresh over winter months and is definitely useful at festivals, where hook up is rare and you need that beer to be cool.

Hope that helps.

Yes the portable option is a good idea. Especially if you cannot get your solar panels in the right direction.
I have opted for a roof mounted solar panel that I can quickly take down and plug in with a longer lead to catch the sun. It also is less to carry inside.

 

[Terrysamw]

Yes the portable option is a good idea. Especially if you cannot get your solar panels in the right direction.
I have opted for a roof mounted solar panel that I can quickly take down and plug in with a longer lead to catch the sun. It also is less to carry inside.

Hi,

What type of roof mounted one do you have?

Thanks