Solar Panels - worth it?

[ejmoore]

As a toast-addict, I can answer that one: just toast it in a dry non-stick pan on the gas ring, easy.

 

[myvanrodney]

As a toast-addict, I can answer that one: just toast it in a dry non-stick pan on the gas ring, easy.

Haha .. yes! .. altho not the same as a perfectly toasted slice from the air fryer

 

[Norfolk Jim]

I occasionally read stuff about solar panels and think, should we get them? I like the idea of those overland, go-anywhere, self-sufficient vans. BUT...
...in twelve years of Cali ownership, we almost never get a hook-up (unless it's included), have never plugged in at home (not feasible anyway), and have never had a problem managing on the leisure battery.
Our travelling style is touring - we rarely stay anywhere more than a couple of days, so the battery recharges sufficiently while driving.
We run the fridge, charge phones, & have the lights on in the evening. The only time we absolutely needed a hook-up was during a week sitting on a hot Spanish campsite, to keep the fridge running. But I managed five days in Norfolk on the leisure battery.
All-in-all, I don't really understand why lots of people seem to get a hook-up every time - what are they using it for?

Where did you manage 5 days in Norfolk and not get anything nicked lol

 

[ejmoore]

Where did you manage 5 days in Norfolk and not get anything nicked lol

Burnham Deepdale, this was

 

[myvanrodney]

Burnham Deepdale, this was

lovely site

 

[colintfcolintf]

Yes,.. my 'overtly fussy' concern too. Love how quiet my van is at the moment (notwithstanding the noise sliding windows, ggrrrr) and the amazing mpg I can get on long journeys. Cant help but throw this into the pros/cons equation...

i hadn't thought much about the effect of 2 / 3 panels on the roof on either noise or mpg - you've got me thinking now, and i was considering 3 panels.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

i hadn't thought much about the effect of 2 / 3 panels on the roof on either noise or mpg - you've got me thinking now, and i was considering 3 panels.

Wouldn’t worry about it. We had 3 panels and had no complaints from the back regarding wind noise. Must be remembered that the Cali has the aerodynamic qualities of a brick so any small sound would be drowned out by noise from wind, engine, tyres etc.

 

[colintfcolintf]

Wouldn’t worry about it. We had 3 panels and had no complaints from the back regarding wind noise. Must be remembered that the Cali has the aerodynamic qualities of a brick so any small sound would be drowned out by noise from wind, engine, tyres etc.

did it affect mpg much ?
many thanks
Colin

 

[Ch1pbutty]

did it affect mpg much ?
many thanks
Colin

No

 

[colintfcolintf]

No

cool. many thanks for the info

 

[Architom]

Hi Jim
My wife and I were also discussing solar panel(s) for our Cali. We live in North Norfolk and I'm an architect of 30 years looking to slow down/retire. It sounds like I've got similar electric skill level to you so if you do get solar panel successfully installed I'd love to hear who you use. Many thanks. Tom

 

[Norfolk Jim]

Burnham Deepdale, this was

Oh that's nice - pity the Household Cavalry weren't on hols as you'd have seen them in the satbles there or on Holkham beach - now the area really well and often pop up there with dog for walks on beach.

 

[Norfolk Jim]

Hi Jim
My wife and I were also discussing solar panel(s) for our Cali. We live in North Norfolk and I'm an architect of 30 years looking to slow down/retire. It sounds like I've got similar electric skill level to you so if you do get solar panel successfully installed I'd love to hear who you use. Many thanks. Tom

Hi Tom, How come I don't knw you then as I've been self -employed technologist since 1998 and cover all of Norfolk - I'll see if I can get my head round messaging you........

 

[WelshGas]

i hadn't thought much about the effect of 2 / 3 panels on the roof on either noise or mpg - you've got me thinking now, and i was considering 3 panels.

As long as the front panel is set back about 6" from the windscreen then all the panels would be in the aerodynamic dead zone so no wind noise and any effect on MPG would be due to the weight of the panels which on a 3 ton van would be virtually impossible to measure

 

[Norfolk Jim]

Hi Jim
My wife and I were also discussing solar panel(s) for our Cali. We live in North Norfolk and I'm an architect of 30 years looking to slow down/retire. It sounds like I've got similar electric skill level to you so if you do get solar panel successfully installed I'd love to hear who you use. Many thanks. Tom

You're address gives you away - nice practice. I've been in architecture as Technologist for 49 years now, so too long - specialised in orangeries and conservatories wordlwide since 1986 (17 years at famous Marston & Langinger) and the story goes on................

I'll message you on your business e-mail as can't do message on hear as you're too new lol.

 

[colintfcolintf]

As long as the front panel is set back about 6" from the windscreen then all the panels would be in the aerodynamic dead zone so no wind noise and any effect on MPG would be due to the weight of the panels which on a 3 ton van would be virtually impossible to measure

many thanks WelshGas !

 

[bangorlad]

We have had 1x100w panel kit (from Solar Camper Solutions) for 2 years and have never plugged in at home since I installed it. We have done 4 days off grid in Spring with no issues at all - We only use it for fridge, lights and charging phones

Same here. Since I fitted the single 100w panel from Roger I've never had to run the cable down the lane to charge the leisures each month including over winter; monitoring on both the Victron app and the panel the voltage always looks ok. While 'on tour' parked up the battery voltage always recovers during the day even when cloudy or the roof at non ideal angle. Fridge, lights and phone charging here and *never* use EHU. No brainer

 

[RockinNRollin]

With two of Roger's panels, on a recent trip away we were going onto float voltage by mid-morning, sometimes even earlier than that. Clearly right now you don't get any more light so it is optimal, but I reckon even in winter it will be good enough to extend the batteries to a 4 day trip which is all we ever need. The only thing ours doesn't do which would be handy is charge the vehicle battery, but we like the simplicity of the Victron on the leisure side only and we're fortunate in that we can plug in the Cali at home to keep the engine battery charged if it doesn't get used for weeks on end.

Yes, it's not a cheap setup, but the flexibility it gives is well worth it. Choose any pitch and always have power. It makes for a much more relaxed outlook!

 

[Ch1pbutty]

With two of Roger's panels, on a recent trip away we were going onto float voltage by mid-morning, sometimes even earlier than that. Clearly right now you don't get any more light so it is optimal, but I reckon even in winter it will be good enough to extend the batteries to a 4 day trip which is all we ever need. The only thing ours doesn't do which would be handy is charge the vehicle battery, but we like the simplicity of the Victron on the leisure side only and we're fortunate in that we can plug in the Cali at home to keep the engine battery charged if it doesn't get used for weeks on end.

Yes, it's not a cheap setup, but the flexibility it gives is well worth it. Choose any pitch and always have power. It makes for a much more relaxed outlook!

Get one of these and plug one end into leisure battery 12v plug, the other into 12v engine battery plug. It will trickle charge engine battery from leisure.

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[Shadrack]

Hi Jim,
I think a couple of 100 w I fitted on my Cali have proved to be a great asset.

They were really useful with the agm’s and since upgrade to Lithium, they have been invaluable. I have front and rear dash cams always on 24/7 whenever it’s not in my garage for piece of mind.
I mounted my panels on two purpose built ally sheets which hug the contour of the roof so no noise or effect on mpg. Up to now, no noise or issues whatsoever.
From experience I have found that good panels along with a good controller can deliver efficiency well over the 95%.

As someone mentioned earlier it depends on your use. If good weather they work well, even on duller days there is output. I found not enough charge into AGMs to use without hookup for days on end, but enough to keep the batteries topped for a few extra days when static.

 

[happyjames013]

Hi All.

Wife and I were having a discussion yesterday about solar power and of all things 'wonder how long before someone invents solar power lawn mower'.........(you can see we have interesting chats lol!!! Is there one yet.....................................this lead onto a general chit chat about solar. We're used to it, as have both Solar PV and Thermal panels which are great - I have a thermal store full of hot water at moment thanks to solar and last year got back some £800 from generation of PV so discussion turned to is it a good idea on a Cali and what will it cost.

We have a 22 Reg Ocean 204 which appears to have literally all VW options bar heated screen and 4motion on it!!. When not in use it sits on our drive in front of garage and I simply plug plug into garage to keep batteries charged.

Our hols consist of mainly Scotland, normally early May or late Sept typically on small CL with EHU but ocassionally we've used large sites such as Big Sand at Gairloch or the large Dornoch site where we find quiet spots but without hook up. I'm due to retire anytime soon (but there's always one last job lol) so these adventure will increase and may well go further afield - I know Ireland is planned for next year so would having solar panel/s fitted be a good idea and worth the cost, bearing in mind we'll probs keep Cali for at least 6 years (we had our last T5 conversion for 9).

Have many of you gone down this route and if so what are the optimum number of panels needed and who is the best company to use to get professional fitting - I'm near Norwich? Any ideas on cost.............

All advice gratefully received

Hi, I have 110 lithium and was thinking about adding solar. But, decided to get a jackery 500, 24 amp hours, and a 100 w renology folding panel.
Useful back up and portable.
Can charge the jackery on the move or on hook up, or a friendly socket in a friendly pub.
Normal use, fridge, phones, tablet, diesel heater lights.
Plenty of trips this year and good for 4 days of thoughtful use without needing to resort to the solar.

 

[Norfolk Jim]

What's a jackery

 

[Shadrack]

Hi, I have 110 lithium and was thinking about adding solar. But, decided to get a jackery 500, 24 amp hours, and a 100 w renology folding panel.
Useful back up and portable.
Can charge the jackery on the move or on hook up, or a friendly socket in a friendly pub.
Normal use, fridge, phones, tablet, diesel heater lights.
Plenty of trips this year and good for 4 days of thoughtful use without needing to resort to the solar.

Hi James,
I have a 230amp Fogstar underseat Lithium. But even with solar and a Victron dc to dc charger (instead of the original split charge relay) it can take a while to top up, especially if just solar. So again it depends on what your use is.
On the brightest most efficient day at best solar(200w) will only give 10-15aph.Engine charge included then maybe up to 30aph at best.

My 800w kettle draws around 70amps through an inverter, the air fryer maybe 85-90amps.

I don’t have a portable power unit but I am guessing (not sure) it charges via a 12v socket which would not give much more than 10amps I would think. A 100w solar on a good day maybe 7amps per hour. It would take a fair while to top up if you run any mains kit.

I do like the idea of the friendly pub for a plug in, especially if your portable unit has its own wheels.

 

[happyjames013]

What's a jackery

A power bank.
Other makes include Bluetti and ecoflow.
They have usb, 12v dc and 240 ac (via built in inverter) and can be charged by 240v 12v dc or solar using the units Mppt.
Lots of sizes available and they, like lithium, are getting better and cheaper.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[_Tom_]

Are the panels sturdy at motorway speeds? through Germany 160 and sometimes to 180km/h is what I usually do. These vans move!