same same
mine is a 2013, and its never been a problem - I think mine was a Wednesday Van - seem to have a good run of bugger all wrong with it
(touching wood as I type............................................)
Solar The Solar Panel Thread
- Thread starter cruza driver
- Start date
same same
mine is a 2013, and its never been a problem - I think mine was a Wednesday Van - seem to have a good run of bugger all wrong with it
(touching wood as I type............................................)
Also got the standard TPS 1200 controller in our 2014 van with no issues (Also touching wood).....
I've been eyeing off the redarc SRP0240 at $133.00... Only 20Amp but connects and controls two batteries (Only got one battery at the moment but you never know in the future if it'll be needed
)
I've been eyeing off the redarc SRP0240 at $133.00... Only 20Amp but connects and controls two batteries (Only got one battery at the moment but you never know in the future if it'll be needed
)
Express/Coffee Machine a must! Happy Wife = Happy Trip
Got the 2 x 100AH Batteries - fitted in the factory
200W folding solar panel (2 x 100 Watt) - $327 (from memory)
CTEK D250S Dual, located next to the batteries - $285
2,500Watt (5,000Watt Peak) inverter - Connected to both batteries
CTEK charges from the LC200 when travelling and then just connect the portable solar panels.
Won't mount panels on roof of van as I can adjust the portable ones for maximum efficiency if a tree near the van.
Power - A - Plenty
Got the 2 x 100AH Batteries - fitted in the factory
200W folding solar panel (2 x 100 Watt) - $327 (from memory)
CTEK D250S Dual, located next to the batteries - $285
- 20Amp MPPT, no need to synchronise with car 12V
2,500Watt (5,000Watt Peak) inverter - Connected to both batteries
CTEK charges from the LC200 when travelling and then just connect the portable solar panels.
Won't mount panels on roof of van as I can adjust the portable ones for maximum efficiency if a tree near the van.
Power - A - Plenty
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Now I'm 99% sure but would appreaciate confirmation that charging my battery from the roof mounted unit thru it's controller and plugging in my portable with it's controller onto the van battery should not cause a conflict, will be camped for a few weeks running my own power but plugged into water and if I need some extra juice I'll plug in the portable 120w, it may get plugged into the ute as if the shed is closed up the engel suck the daylights out of the battery and the 80w can't keep up after a couple of days......need a new fridge really...........
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Drover
I have the solar on the roof charging and even when plugged into the 240 at a park it does not conflict
that would be pretty much the same as having two solar systems set up
I have the solar on the roof charging and even when plugged into the 240 at a park it does not conflict
that would be pretty much the same as having two solar systems set up
I have a Jayco Basestation with a factory fitted 120watt solar panel fitted on the roof and I am about to fit another 120watt panel on the roof.
My question is for any one with 2 factory fitted panels on their roof, Did Jayco only fit one junction box / cable roof entry point on the roof and run the cable for the 2nd solar panel across the roof to the junction box or do they fit 2 junction box / cable entry points on the roof near each solar panel?
Cheers
My question is for any one with 2 factory fitted panels on their roof, Did Jayco only fit one junction box / cable roof entry point on the roof and run the cable for the 2nd solar panel across the roof to the junction box or do they fit 2 junction box / cable entry points on the roof near each solar panel?
Cheers
That should work.
We've done exactly the same but without the extra fridge. Just have to remember to connect the second regulator to the portabLe panel. We've found the roof solar takes precedence over the portable ...but it does work with a blocking diode in the portable solar and most have that inbuilt.
Hey @Base23 my additional 120W panel was fitted at the dealer but yes they did run the cable across the roof to the first panel and into the one junction box and into the cabinet inside.
I believe they do this for two reasons one is it is easier for them and you have to connect them up together somewhere to go into the regulator so you may as well only make one hole in the roof for it. The other, on mine anyway the additional 120W panel was installed at the back of the roof and the first one at the front on opposite sides, this I believe was for weight distribution (I have a pop top Expanda) so assumed they distributed the weight for lifting and putting down the roof.
Cheers
Just wondering if anyone is using a Victron MPPT 100/30 solar charge controller. I am looking at using one of these and using either their MPPT control panel or Bluetooth app to monitor the charger and battery. I want to mount the charger under the seat and be able to monitor the charger and battery. The app you download looks pretty cool.
Thanks
Nick
Thanks
Nick
Extra 120 watt solar panel fitted over the weekend,
made 4 brackets from alloy angle and fitted to roof with sikaflex 291 and peel rivetsat one end and screws into roof beam the other end,
brackets made from 40 x 25 x 1.6 aluminum angle
Peel rivets
Added extra junction under new solar panel and ran cabling through roof cavity and up in to existing junction box as I did not like the look of the cabling just lying on the roof.
Cables joined in parallel at original junction box
Extra panel all fitted, Looks Factory
Note junction box under panel
Cheers
made 4 brackets from alloy angle and fitted to roof with sikaflex 291 and peel rivetsat one end and screws into roof beam the other end,
brackets made from 40 x 25 x 1.6 aluminum angle
Peel rivets
Added extra junction under new solar panel and ran cabling through roof cavity and up in to existing junction box as I did not like the look of the cabling just lying on the roof.
Cables joined in parallel at original junction box
Extra panel all fitted, Looks Factory
Note junction box under panel
Cheers
I know this is a few weeks old, but just want to see if you did this and how you got on?
I have heard when there are two regulators trying to charge the one battery that the larger voltage input will stop the smaller from charging.
I have a 120w on the roof into a Steca 20 amp reg and a 100 w folding panel.
What I ended up doing was having no reg on the folding and tapping an Anderson plug into the feed from the roof so that both panels join before the regulator. That way the one reg does both. The Anderson sits nicely in front of the wheel arch on the drivers side so out of the way and no chance of hooking the car to it!
BJ.
Hi there has anyone bought these panels off eBay ??http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-MAXR...van-camping-power-mono-charging-/290942969502
if so how have they gone, I will be looking at using a separate controller nearer the batt in the set up.
can any one recommend a controller that has either a wireless or remote display that they have had good experience with??
thanks
Jason
if so how have they gone, I will be looking at using a separate controller nearer the batt in the set up.
can any one recommend a controller that has either a wireless or remote display that they have had good experience with??
thanks
Jason
Do a Google search on the panels and controller is the best indication if they are any good, I assume you are going to fix the panels in position if your going to mount the controller near the batteries then, I bought a good unit from caravansplus and it works well but no remote display, actually can't see any need and mine has been running for the last 50 odd days and I just glance at the volt meter sometimes.
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Hi Jason
I got those panels a couple years ago for my camper trailer before we ventured into the caravan and I can tell you that we have had a very positive experience with them... They work very well... I'm currently looking to mount them to the roof of the van to save dicking around chasing the sun...
Rookie question, is the standard 1 panel (120w) not enough for free camping? Bloke I'm buying the van off (2nd hand) said their battery never ran out running lights, Engel fridge on 12v.
Been living in my van for some 3 mths so far and the 200 on the roof is keeping everything powered up, have 240 hooked up but it just runs the stuff that gas would power, my batteries are charged only by solar.......mind I don't run invertors and I have a portable 120w if needed. My Engel runs off panels on my ute.
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If you have good sunlight then yep no probs
but I recently went free camping with a engel (40ltr) but was on freeze and had to top up after a few days
I have 200w and 200a/h of batteries
Running lights it will be fine forever
Running a Engel is another story