Solar Panels - worth it?

[Benham]

The panels come supplied with foam already stuck to the bottom of the fixing frame

Super. Thank you.

 

[Flower Power]

Not sure if foam between panel and roof is a good idea because panels do not operate the best if overheated. A little bit of air circulation is a good thing. That what I have. Black roof, black panel but not in contact with each other except for mounting on the edges.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Not sure if foam between panel and roof is a good idea because panels do not operate the best if overheated. A little bit of air circulation is a good thing. That what I have. Black roof, black panel but not in contact with each other except for mounting on the edges.

It’s only under the edge on the metal cross members, which are about 1cm wide, rest of the panel has clear airflow, as air can still enter under the sides as there is a gap.

 

[WelshGas]

Not sure if foam between panel and roof is a good idea because panels do not operate the best if overheated. A little bit of air circulation is a good thing. That what I have. Black roof, black panel but not in contact with each other except for mounting on the edges.

The California has a ribbed roof. The foam sits on the high ribs, plenty of air flow. My 100w panel lasted 9 yrs before failing.

 

[Chris Hill T5]

Hi - how have you wired the EF pack in to your solar charging set up?

So far, I’ve concluded a 12V female ciggie adaptor wired to the Victron load, in turn plugged into the EF with the 12V adaptor.

I’m sure there are other ways and interested to hear how others are setting it up.

Somewhat late reply apologies!

it's wired in exactly as you described using the ciggie adapter wired to the Victron Load, works a treat

Chris

 

[Blue Yonder]

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?

Interested to read that in 12 years of ownership you never plug into the EHU at home. Question is that 12 years owning the same van if so how have you replaced the LBs? Also how many months at a time will your van go unconnected to a EHU? The reason I ask is that my understanding the reason for plugging into a EHU is to charge the LBs and EB to 100% state of charge (SoC) given the smart alternator is purposely designed to go to 80% SoC. Note: the overhead display for the LBs often report 100% SoC but it’s a 100% of 80% SoC. Taking AGM batteries to a true 100% SoC periodically extends their service life. Hence my interest if not done have yours lasted 12 years?

 

[jonnystrong2000]

All depends how you use the van.
Summer - 1 panel will do.
Spring and or Autumn- 2 panels
All year round - 3 panels.
Roger Donahugh is a forum member and owns this company. If you can wire a plug then you can fit this system

Solar Panels for VW California and Mercedes Marco Polo Camper Vans

DIY easy to install Solar panel kits for VW California / Transporter and Mercedes Marco Polo camper vans. Zero drilling or gluing.

solarcampersolutions.co.uk

I bought from Roger and paid him a small installation charge - he knows all the. ooks and crannies and how to lay the cables and equipment out! I agree the number of panels is dependent upon season and usage plus static time. My one panel is good to nearly double Ah capacity in spring and summer! Roger’s panels screw on to the roof rails so no drilling etc. Also you can remove or add later! With hindsight, I would have added the ‘charge
engine battery’ to I park on the street (so use a small CTEK (motorbike) charger from leisure 240V inverter across to dashboard cig lighter to keep engine battery charged in winter or lay up times …. you may not need either option above, as I believe (ok to be corrected) that on hookup - there is a very small trickle charge to the engine battery ….

 

[dspuk]

I bought from Roger and paid him a small installation charge - he knows all the. ooks and crannies and how to lay the cables and equipment out! I agree the number of panels is dependent upon season and usage plus static time. My one panel is good to nearly double Ah capacity in spring and summer! Roger’s panels screw on to the roof rails so no drilling etc. Also you can remove or add later! With hindsight, I would have added the ‘charge
engine battery’ to I park on the street (so use a small CTEK (motorbike) charger from leisure 240V inverter across to dashboard cig lighter to keep engine battery charged in winter or lay up times …. you may not need either option above, as I believe (ok to be corrected) that on hookup - there is a very small trickle charge to the engine battery ….

That would work fine on your T6 as the cig lighters then were powered by the starter. At some point in the 6.1 life they started moving across to the leisures and all mine are powered by the leisure - so you would would just end up with a charge loop.

The lead to the split charger was a lot easier than I thought, I just had to change from the Victron MPPT.

 

[Norfolk Jim]

My solar still working fine and never had to plug in. Keeps batteries (inc engine battery) topped up all the time. Superb set up and mine is a single panel.

 

[chockswahay]

Note: the overhead display for the LBs often report 100% SoC but it’s a 100% of 80% SoC. Taking AGM batteries to a true 100% SoC periodically extends their service life. Hence my interest if not done have yours lasted 12 years?

I never knew that! But the extra charge button (what ever its called) on the panel does take them to 100 SoC for real?

 

[chockswahay]

My solar still working fine and never had to plug in. Keeps batteries (inc engine battery) topped up all the time. Superb set up and mine is a single panel.

Nice! Can I ask what controller you have please? and how it is wired?

 

[dspuk]

Nice! Can I ask what controller you have please? and how it is wired?

To do leisure and starter the Epever Duoracer is the one.

 

[ejmoore]

Interested to read that in 12 years of ownership you never plug into the EHU at home. Question is that 12 years owning the same van if so how have you replaced the LBs? Also how many months at a time will your van go unconnected to a EHU? The reason I ask is that my understanding the reason for plugging into a EHU is to charge the LBs and EB to 100% state of charge (SoC) given the smart alternator is purposely designed to go to 80% SoC. Note: the overhead display for the LBs often report 100% SoC but it’s a 100% of 80% SoC. Taking AGM batteries to a true 100% SoC periodically extends their service life. Hence my interest if not done have yours lasted 12 years?

We've never plugged our van in at home in six years (not an option), and almost never have a hook up (only in winter, if it's included). The leisure battery seems fine & hasn't ever been changed.

 

[ejmoore]

We've never plugged our van in at home in six years (not an option), and almost never have a hook up (only in winter, if it's included). The leisure battery seems fine & hasn't ever been changed.

Actually we've had two vans over 12.5 years. The first (2008 T5) had been standing unused for a few years so we had a new leisure battery almost immediately, but then it was fine for the next five years; the present van (2026 T6) we've had for six years with the same leisure battery. This lasts us four or five days with no hook-up.
Apologies Blue Yonder, I replied to your post this morning on my phone without noticing it was in response to my own post(!). Must be going nuts.