installing solar power in a westy

[California Dreamin]

I know that most using the flexi solar panels have used that particular adhesive but I'm not sure I would trust it to hold a much heavier rigid framed panel on 6 plastic mounts and besides....it kind of defeats the object, why pay an extra £42.00 for the mounts and £10 odd for the adhesive when you could just buy a flexi panel in the first place.

Martin

[stoneageman]

Many thanks for your reply Martin. I have been given a rigid solar panel (120w) by my father. If i were to buy one i would probably go for a flexible, although on researching this, they're not as efficient-but i expect that's a small difference. It does need the clearance that the fixing kit gives, it's just the trust in the silicone. I'll give it a go and seee if it's still there after a drive

[printmonkey]

I fixed brackets for a rigid panel to the westy luggage tray with sikaflex. They are still stuck on after 18 months.

[LeeME3]

Just realised I forgot to come back and add my solar install! Had a single Biard semi flex 100w for nearly a year now. 2 leisure batteries at 88Ah each, main load is the Waeco CR50 fridge plus the usual LED lights, water pump, charging points and stereo. It works superbly to the extent I haven't used hook up for ages except in winter for heat (and I'm fitting a PROPEX soon so won't need that).

Adding a second 100W panel this weekend...there is just room with a few mm to spare between the existing panel and the roof vent. I've rarely seen my battery bank drop below 12v but I'm doing more wild camping and for longer so it seems a useful addition, especially as the charge controller I've got allows me to simply plug in extra panels at will. I suspect I'll almost be producing more output than the batteries can store (ie my batteries will be pretty much full the whole time the sun is out) however I want to be able to eek out a bit more charge on overcast days and if I am generating more than I need I'll add a third battery.

My 200W semi flex set up will have cost me just less than £300 (excluding batteries) which I fully admit it will take me ages to get a payback on, if ever. However, it opens up more camping options and frankly I like the slight geekiness of it so it's worth it for me.

Anyway here's a pic, I'll post a couple more once the second panel is on.

[lefty67]

If you do need a smaller one then check this out
http://www.photonicuniverse.com/en/cata ... -boat.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This is the one I am putting on my van

[Gord72]

Hi, we have read the post with interest. We are looking to install the Baird 100watt flexi panel to our Westy but can't seem to find looking at the post what the cables are that you have all used to run from the control unit to both batteries. Also, do you put a fuse at each battery on the positive wire.

Cheers
Gord & Tracey

[chriscburgess]

I have been given a solar panel with the specs shown. I dont want a fancy system but wondered if this would be any good for trickle charging the battery and whether I could connect straight to the battery or if I need a regulator.

I dont really understand electricty but I connectd a multimeter to it and it seemed to indicate it was giving out 23v. Not sure if that sounds right or not.

[kevtherev]

Useless in a word.

[Adeybruce]

LeeME3, and and others ...... I don't suppose you want to share how you have routed your cables down from your pop top? I've had 2 x 50 watt on my Westy roof for a while, but am not happy about the cable set up. Looking to put another 100 watt on the roof, so will have to confront the issue of a better cable route. Cheers

[kevtherev]

Hi, we have read the post with interest. We are looking to install the Baird 100watt flexi panel to our Westy but can't seem to find looking at the post what the cables are that you have all used to run from the control unit to both batteries. Also, do you put a fuse at each battery on the positive wire.

Cheers
Gord & Tracey

Thickest you can use (over 4 mm)
Yes to fuses.

[Gord72]

Hi, we have read the post with interest. We are looking to install the Baird 100watt flexi panel to our Westy but can't seem to find looking at the post what the cables are that you have all used to run from the control unit to both batteries. Also, do you put a fuse at each battery on the positive wire.

Cheers
Gord & Tracey

Thickest you can use (over 4 mm)
Yes to fuses.

Thanks Kev

I've just ordered the The Baird 100w panel & 20w duo controller, I've got a cable route planned to the leisure battery but struggling to find a way in to the engine bay, my controllers going in the top left of the wardrobe any ideas ??

Cheers

Gord

[kevtherev]

Well two of my pals have a westy, with a panel.
Both have routed differently.
There's no right way or wrong really it's just what's easiest fo you.
I suggested he go straight down from the wardrobe through the engine deck, then down and under the van to the battery boxes... but he didn't

why a 20 amp controller BTW?
10 is more than enough unless your fitting another at a later date?

[LeeME3]

Here we go as promised...my twin 100w Biard set up giving 200w total. The second panel (the one in the middle of the roof - the one mounted further back is about a year old) fits in the gap between the raised section and the roof vent with 1mm to spare, perfect!



Did a quick hook up using the 2 into 1 couplers I got and on an overcast / intermittently sunny day at 4pm in May I was seeing 70W+ and a healthy rate of charge going to the battery



Need to tidy the wiring now but these couplers make it all nice and easy (although they are a bit bulky but plenty of room to hide them in a Westy roof). Job for next weekend when I have my cordless drill and time to kill at Van Jamboree! The wires running along the side of the roof will disappear, they're just there until I finish off.



Very happy with the set up. About £300 in total (exc leisure batteries) and I reckon enough to keep up with the CR50 fridge under most conditions.

(Oh and Adeybruce I'm not ignoring your question about cable routing! I'll post pics when its done as it's easier to explain that way. However while my van has a Westy roof it is not a Westy so different interior and I've got more access to stuff.)

[Gord72]

Well two of my pals have a westy, with a panel.
Both have routed differently.
There's no right way or wrong really it's just what's easiest fo you.
I suggested he go straight down from the wardrobe through the engine deck, then down and under the van to the battery boxes... but he didn't

why a 20 amp controller BTW?
10 is more than enough unless your fitting another at a later date?

Hi Kev,

I've found a way through the heater pipe grommet in to the engine bay, it works fine tried a cable through it this morning .

20a controller ?, there wasn't much difference in price so I thought I'd just get the more powerful one

I need to have it all hooked up asap we are off on are European trip in 7 weeks

[California Dreamin]

Your battery appears to be 100% charged without load, so why is the controller charging at 5.1 amps? surely if it was working correctly the charge controller should have dropped this to nothing more than a 'floating' charge (pulse or otherwise) to something under 1 amp?

When mine reaches 99% the charge controller drops the amps (even in direct sunlight) to between 0.3 - 1amp (I have 190 amps of leisure batteries) on one 100watt Baird.
If I turn something on (Eberspacher blow heater for instance) the charge percentage drops and the charge rate instantly rises...as it should, to the maximum under the prevailing conditions at that time.
I would be anxious to see the level of charge 'dropping to float' when fully charged, otherwise your batteries will eventually boil dry.

Martin