Solar Panels

Post by **Mash** » 26 Jun 2006, 12:08

Just wanted to ask if anyone has a solar panel on their roof for charging their leisure battery. Since our little adventure at the weekend we have been chatting about the future of Gromit.

1. Possible New Engine
2. The re spray
3. my solar panel idea.

We will be doing more wild camping in Scotland when I get up there hopefully so it's an ideal solution if it works. So anyone been there tried it and 1 it's great or 2 it didn't work 3 decided it wasn't worth the bother?

Kool-Kamper · Post by **Kool-Kamper** » 26 Jun 2006, 12:49

I have a little trickle solar charger panel thing- keeps the lesuire battery topped up. Had it a year now and seems to be doing fine!

Website · Post by **dbroada** » 26 Jun 2006, 12:54

I only have a small solar which I use to keep the supply topped up but I do know a number of people with large arrays and big battery banks. How appropriate they are does depend on a lot of things. How much energy are you taking out of the batteries, how long you intend to stay put and (most importantly) how good is the weather?

Scotland is a lot less ideal than (say) southern Spain. Do you know how much you will need to put back in the battery each day? From there you can work out what size panel you would need and from there the cost. Sit down before doing that last step.

Post by **Mocki** » 26 Jun 2006, 15:40

i have a small top up panel, which i have had for about 4 years now, its just man enough to keep the leisure battery from discharging when the van is stood and nothing is switched, apsolutely useless from a charging point of veiw, but it keeps it from dropping if i am not using it.....

surely you would be better with a wind generator in scotland?

Post by **Mash** » 26 Jun 2006, 20:37

yes well that is my next hair brained idea. I want one for the house

I just need a house first

I have said to Matt I'll be living in gromit if I have to move in with his parents

Anyone want to live in peterbugger?

Post by **jed the spread** » 26 Jun 2006, 21:02

mocki wrote: if i am not using it....

wash your mouth out...

jed

Post by **Jill** » 17 Jul 2006, 20:17

I was thinking about solar trickle charging too, or even a small wind turbine in windy areas.

Cheers,

Jill

Post by **DiscoDave** » 17 Jul 2006, 20:23

i have a split charge system! far more effective than solar power!!

Post by **OLD ONE** » 17 Jul 2006, 20:29

Had one on a boat. Also one on a static van. Worked very well. The type I used had a built in regulator so they did not over charge. I dont think that would be required on a small one that was only used for camping. But no doubt some one with better knowledge on these things will put you right

Post by **kevtherev** » 17 Jul 2006, 21:22

Jill wrote:even a small wind turbine

Cheers,

Jill

These are better, especialy near the coast

Website · Post by **dbroada** » 17 Jul 2006, 22:30

Jill wrote:... or even a small wind turbine in windy areas.

Cheers,

Jill

I have heard that they are VERY noisy, especially if you want one to give enough power to be worthwhile. This is from a boaty person.

Post by **OLD ONE** » 18 Jul 2006, 12:36

Yes, they do make a noise. But I think most of it is vibration on a boat. If you have in on a pole, a little distance from the van, and run a cable, I dont think it will be to bad. Just a humming as it winds up with the wind

Post by **kevtherev** » 18 Jul 2006, 17:41

No not noisy especialy not the smaller ones.

and when it is windy day or night it's charging

wind turbines

and here