Solar Panel

[Ian Chappell]

Hi all
Can some please advise me currently I own a T6 Beach with one 100w solar panel(solar sutions)and mppt(victron 75/10) fitted. I am going to replace it with an Ocean 6.1 so firstly are the roof channels the same width to mount the panel on and secondly is the controller the correct one for two leisure batteries to keep topped up, eventually I want to add an extra panel so will have upgrade the controller but as a stop gap will my current set up be ok. I am more than happy to install and connect to the rear battery as they are in parallel and put the negative to chassis. Thank you.

 

[dspuk]

Hi all
Can some please advise me currently I own a T6 Beach with one 100w solar panel(solar sutions)and mppt(victron 75/10) fitted. I am going to replace it with an Ocean 6.1 so firstly are the roof channels the same width to mount the panel on and secondly is the controller the correct one for two leisure batteries to keep topped up, eventually I want to add an extra panel so will have upgrade the controller but as a stop gap will my current set up be ok. I am more than happy to install and connect to the rear battery as they are in parallel and put the negative to chassis. Thank you.

Yes to both.

 

[wildslammer22]

As above it’s a yes to both. I also believe the Victron MPPT 75/15 (which I assume you meant as I don’t think they do a 75/10?) will be fine for up to 220w of solar so no need to replace that if you plan to add one more 100w panel.

Edit, I have just seen that Victron do make a 75/10 MPPT which can handle a max of 160w of solar so you will indeed have to upgrade.

 

[Ian Chappell]

As above it’s a yes to both. I also believe the Victron MPPT 75/15 (which I assume you meant as I don’t think they do a 75/10?) will be fine for up to 220w of solar so no need to replace that if you plan to add one more 100w panel.

Edit, I have just seen that Victron do make a 75/10 MPPT which can handle a max of 160w of solar so you will indeed have to upgrade.

So I can do a straight swap at the moment but must change the mppt if I add another panel.

 

[dspuk]

So I can do a straight swap at the moment but must change the mppt if I add another panel.

You don’t have to if you keep them as 100W panels but you won’t get the full benefit of the (potential) extra 40W.

 

[wildslammer22]

So I can do a straight swap at the moment but must change the mppt if I add another panel.

That would be optimal if you plan to add another 100w panel or as dspuk says you won’t be hugely better off in terms of efficiency. If you think you might add a third 100w panel at any point (some forum members have done it) then it might be worth biting the bullet and getting a 100/30 MPPT to future proof yourself.

 

[RedWhiteMonkey]

As above it’s a yes to both. I also believe the Victron MPPT 75/15 (which I assume you meant as I don’t think they do a 75/10?) will be fine for up to 220w of solar so no need to replace that if you plan to add one more 100w panel.

Edit, I have just seen that Victron do make a 75/10 MPPT which can handle a max of 160w of solar so you will indeed have to upgrade.

There is a Victron MPPT 75/10 - https://www.victronenergy.com/solar-charge-controllers/mppt7510

Two panels will need an upgrade to at least the MPPT 75/15.

 

[colintfcolintf]

Hi all
Can some please advise me currently I own a T6 Beach with one 100w solar panel(solar sutions)and mppt(victron 75/10) fitted. I am going to replace it with an Ocean 6.1 so firstly are the roof channels the same width to mount the panel on and secondly is the controller the correct one for two leisure batteries to keep topped up, eventually I want to add an extra panel so will have upgrade the controller but as a stop gap will my current set up be ok. I am more than happy to install and connect to the rear battery as they are in parallel and put the negative to chassis. Thank you.

if in doubt, ask Roger at Solar Solutions.

 

[Dizzy]

Curious what did you get to mount to the roof channels ?

 

[WelshGas]

Curious what did you get to mount to the roof channels ?

See here.

VW California Solar Kits

DIY easy to install Solar panel kits for VW California camper vans. Zero drilling or gluing.

www.solarcampersolutions.com

 

[Dizzy]

yes been there, dont want a kit, just some bolts as i need to a fix some bars temporarily

 

[Wannabecamperman]

You don’t have to if you keep them as 100W panels but you won’t get the full benefit of the (potential) extra 40W.

Standard (non CIGS) PV panels usually only ever give around 90% maximum rating anyway, so I would be perfectly happy with the victron 75/10 for two, the loss will be negligible.

 

[dspuk]

Standard (non CIGS) PV panels usually only ever give around 90% maximum rating anyway, so I would be perfectly happy with the victron 75/10 for two, the loss will be negligible.

Yeah, I could not recall the math but knew there was some loss so I juxtaposed my reply with potential.