solar panel

[wiggy]

does anybody have a solar panel fitted to their van I am trying to keep my leisure battery topped up while wild camping do they work confused

[BOXY]

I've got a 14W panel. In theory in generates just over 1 amp at 12 volts. It's big enough to top up the battery if it's only been used lightly. If you were planning on using the battery for laptops, TV's etc you'd need a big panel or perfect un-broken sunshine for 12 hours a day.

[wiggy]

cheers boxy was thinking of a big panel was talking to a guy with a motorhome he had an 135w panel which seemed to run everything

[MattBW]

Good thread here :

http://forum.club8090.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=118475" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I am about to go for one too, general consensus seems to be a 100w panel will see you right and should remove any need for a hookup. I am probably going for a slightly more expensive flexible panel just because they are lighter and lower profile for the roof.

[ronsrecord]

Would love to see pics of yours once it's on Matt

[MattBW]

Received my new panel over the weekend I will be fitting it this week. I went for a 80w semi flexible panel which was about 155quid. Just over 2kg in weight and very flush.

Dual charge controller was 22.99 from Maplin and will charge both batteries at once but divert current to whichever needs it. Other than a bit of 10a wire and some mounts it should be a simple job.

[zzippyman]

Trialling my newly-installed 80W panel for the first time on Thursday, I ran a 12v TV/dvd combi and 3 x 12v led lights for approx 5 hours in the evening - the 110Ah leisure battery was fully charged by 10:00am the next morning, even though it was a relatively overcast start to the day and my van was parked in the shade.

Had I run the fridge as well it would have been a different matter as it would have drained the battery within 3 hours, but running a water pump for the sink wouldn't have been a problem.

The solar power charges the main van battery as well.

So I'd say it works - and works well.