installing solar power in a westy

[Westy End]

I like mine too - lots of information I didnt know I needed but now i find myself checking on most evenings.

I will post some more pics of the install when i have taken them. Solar panel fixed on with Gaffer tape at present.

v happy with set up. would recommend to others.

[Timwhy]

Pretty much there now....for the final touch im going to get a black bezel made at work to match the profile of the bottom of the controller to hide the cables.

Looks Great! The bezel won't be covering any heat sink fins will it? It took a while for me to get used to the wires coming out of mine. I was worried that something would touch them and short something out but that is all for not. No issues what so ever. I think a nice suggestion would be if people can, is to make a short video of their setup giving some particulars about each component? Just a thought, really!

[keith]

Hi Tim....no heat sink.
That was my concern....wires popping out of the terminals and shorting...so the bezel would act as protection and neaten it up.

I also need to swop out the screws as they are odds and sods.

[Timwhy]

Any way for you to get Westy screws with the plastic caps? That would hid the screw heads nicely. Looking forward to the finished project!!

[keith]

Any way for you to get Westy screws with the plastic caps? That would hid the screw heads nicely. Looking forward to the finished project!!

Might try that...

[waltraud]

Patrick that sounds great. I shall come see and keen to know if / what the added value of such an advanced monitoring system over the standard cheapie ebay stuff.

[Westy End]

Patrick that sounds great. I shall come see and keen to know if / what the added value of such an advanced monitoring system over the standard cheapie ebay stuff.

I know you are a man for the monitoring of superfluous information so this should be right up your street. it tells you the temperature and everything!

[keith]

In line fuses now fitted from both batteries.

[ninja.turtle007]

I gave my solar panel a good testing over the weekend.

Thursday night we loaded the van for a weekend away. Waeco CR50 fridge turned onto number 6, this gives ice cold beer, infact a bit too cold. Without the solar panel the batteries would be down to about 12.2/12.1 after about 24 -32hours.

We charged phones, iPod, satnav, used Eber for around 4 hours, radio, lights etc.

I just used the van normally and didn't worry about trying to get optimum sunlight. The weather on Saturday was over cast until after lunch and on Sunday there was good sun all day.

72 hours after turning on the fridge the batteries were 12.2V. Not once did they go below 12.1V. I turned the fridge of last night and today the batteries are fully charged.

This was all without the Sterling B2B charger and EHU.

Very pleased.

[Timwhy]

After several attempt to make a short video of my solar set up, I finally had a nice bright sunny day. Really looking forward to using my panels to their potential this summer.

http://youtu.be/0bZCoXp89uI

[Mocki]

Hi guys,
I have just fitted my 100w semiflexi panel, and it's charging well in the hazy brightness today, but, I have noted the voltmeters for both the leisure and the main battery are recording only 13.7v max when the engine is running now.
Whereas before it was recording 14.6 v on both when both were pretty much charged ? Have you noticed any difference in the charge voltage from the alternator at the battery since fitting the solar panel?

[Timwhy]

Hi guys,
I have just fitted my 100w semiflexi panel, and it's charging well in the hazy brightness today, but, I have noted the voltmeters for both the leisure and the main battery are recording only 13.7v max when the engine is running now.
Whereas before it was recording 14.6 v on both when both were pretty much charged ? Have you noticed any difference in the charge voltage from the alternator at the battery since fitting the solar panel?

If I were to guess, your alternator is doing what it always has and there is nothing wrong with it. On the other hand I would also say that your charge controller is doing its job at controlling the charge your batties are revieving. I don't think you have anything to worry about. I keep my Westy plugged into shore power while its parked at my house and I can see the battery maintainer charge level on the charge controller's digital panel. It also tells me that the batteries are getting charged even though there is no solar amps coming into the system.

In the end the best way for you to really know is to test the alternator it its source.

[willpom]

Bumping this, finally bought the 100w panel to go with my dual charger & remote meter, been waiting for the right price.

A question about wiring the leisure & starter battery to the controller. Can I wire just the +ve from controller to each battery then both -ve terminals on the controller to the same chassis point? If so would this have an effect on the remote meter? Or do I have to run independent +ve and -ve wires through to each battery?

[printmonkey]

Both batteries -ve & +ve need to be wired directly to the controller.

[LeeME3]

Bumping this, finally bought the 100w panel to go with my dual charger & remote meter, been waiting for the right price.

Sorry to hijack...where did you get it from?