installing solar power in a westy

[shepster]

The 100 watt Biard panel was ordered at 1.45pm yesterday and arrived at 9.15am this morning...how good is that! especially at £89.99 which included shipping....well chuffed...just gotta wait for the rest to arrive now.


Martin

Jammy git!

Mine cost £128.00 only a month ago.

[California Dreamin]

JUST GONE DOWN AGAIN IN PRICE: SEE

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151094834286? ... EBIDX%3AIT" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Well its mounted...took some time as I was trying for the neatest wire routing.
I was lucky as I used the roof rack mounts already fitted and chose a panel very close to the internal distance between the mounts. I've set it with a slight nose down into the contour of the roof, so it doesn't catch the wind or so water doesn't stand in it....made sense to me anyway lol.










Just needs properly wiring up inside (still waiting for the controller)

Martin

[shepster]

Different to mine, I had the thin flexible one.

That looks like the one kev's bought, good price though.

[California Dreamin]

Yeah! they are more expensive but that wasn't the reason I went for rigid. I really didn't fancy glueing something permanently to the roof even after seeing Keith's super neat install.

Martin

[danmetallic]

Looks super neat, great job! Is it just fixed via the roof rack mounts?

[California Dreamin]

Looks super neat, great job! Is it just fixed via the roof rack mounts?

Yes fitted via the roof bar mounts with M8/M6 bolts and small 20mm black nylon bobbins (you can just see them in the last pick).
The wiring goes into the side of the N/S mount and then down through the centre hole of the roof (where the mount is bolted through the roof) and under the canvas....apart from a few inches going into the mount (on top) there are no visible wires from the outside of the camper.



I did remove the 'fly' MC4 cable & connectors at the panel and re-soldered 25amp twin onto it, so I could route straight through to the controller without breaks. (I couldn't have done it so neatly otherwise).

The original wire used looks very 'thick' but once you cut through the insulator the core is about 2.0mm2 around 20 amps rated I guess.

Martin

[danmetallic]

Looks super neat, great job! Is it just fixed via the roof rack mounts?

Yes fitted via the roof bar mounts with M8/M6 bolts and small 20mm black nylon bobbins (you can just see them in the last pick).
The wiring goes into the side of the N/S mount and then down through the centre hole of the roof (where the mount is bolted through the roof) and under the canvas....apart from a few inches going into the mount (on top) there are no visible wires from the outside of the camper.



I did remove the 'fly' MC4 cable & connectors at the panel and re-soldered 25amp twin onto it, so I could route straight through to the controller without breaks. (I couldn't have done it so neatly otherwise).

The original wire used looks very 'thick' but once you cut through the insulator the core is about 2.0mm2 around 20 amps rated I guess.

Martin

Thanks for all the details. Def in my todo list.

[ninja.turtle007]

Martin, where are you going to put the controller?

[California Dreamin]

Martin, where are you going to put the controller?

Fitted and all working.....the controller could easily be hidden away (they aren't the prettiest of things) however, mine has an LCD readout and I like the idea of 'monitoring' the charge.

I've fitted it high on the side of the wardrobe (where Keith has put his) however mine is a single unit with the added bonus of being grey/beige in colour (similar to the Westy Grey units in my van) so fairly discreet....well not to ugly anyway, lol

Keiths:

http://i488.photobucket.com/albums/rr24 ... a0eca1.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Martin

[ninja.turtle007]

Martin, where are you going to put the controller?

Fitted and all working.....the controller could easily be hidden away (they aren't the prettiest of things) however, mine has an LCD readout and I like the idea of 'monitoring' the charge.

I've fitted it high on the side of the wardrobe (where Keith has put his) however mine is a single unit with the added bonus of being grey in colour (similar to the Westy Grey units in my van) so fairly discreet....well not to ugly anyway, lol

Martin

My current one is hidden away but I may change it for the one you have.

Do you have any pics of yours installed please?

[California Dreamin]

Hi mate.....understand that I am not about to drill holes directly through the side of my Westy wardrobe (as others have) so perhaps the wiring is not as neat as it could be but hayho. Note dirty finger prints on the controller (I just finished it tonight and it needs a wipe down).

I've always been of the opinion that anything I install is fitted in such a way that it could be removed at a later date with little or no trace (hence the reason for fitting a rigid panel and not a flexi that needs gluing)

I don't think the panel is back lit but it looks OK all the same.
The plug on the top left is the thermo probe.



Martin

[ninja.turtle007]

Hi mate.....understand that I am not about to drill holes directly through the side of my Westy wardrobe (as others have) so perhaps the wiring is not as neat as it could be but hayho. Note dirty finger prints on the controller (I just finished it tonight and it needs a wipe down).

I've always been of the opinion that anything I install is fitted in such a way that it could be removed at a later date with little or no trace (hence the reason for fitting a rigid panel and not a flexi that needs gluing)

I don't think the panel is back lit but it looks OK all the same.
The plug on the top left is the thermo probe.



Martin

I don't like making holes that are visible in my interior either, that's why I asked how you did yours.

That looks fine. I may try adhesive rather than screwing into the wardrobe.

Does the controller display the current produced by the panel? It looks like it does but I can't see the figures.

[California Dreamin]

Hi mate.....understand that I am not about to drill holes directly through the side of my Westy wardrobe (as others have) so perhaps the wiring is not as neat as it could be but hayho. Note dirty finger prints on the controller (I just finished it tonight and it needs a wipe down).

I've always been of the opinion that anything I install is fitted in such a way that it could be removed at a later date with little or no trace (hence the reason for fitting a rigid panel and not a flexi that needs gluing)

I don't think the panel is back lit but it looks OK all the same.
The plug on the top left is the thermo probe.



Martin

I don't like making holes that are visible in my interior either, that's why I asked how you did yours.

That looks fine. I may try adhesive rather than screwing into the wardrobe.

Does the controller display the current produced by the panel? It looks like it does but I can't see the figures.

I know what you mean...I was debating about the screw holes but resigned myself to doing it that way as I am very doubtful double sided sponge tape would be good enough.

Yes it does display AMPS....this pick was taken at 11.00pm last night

This morning at 7.45am, the sun coming at the panel from an extreme angle and the display was showing 1.5 - 1.8 amps.

It does look a bit 'busy' but I think the LED strip doesn't help the neatness.

Martin

[ninja.turtle007]

I'm now in possession of the same controller. Seems good value and isn't too large. I will be installing it when my van is back.

How are you getting on with the panel? Do you have figures for full sunlight and cloudy conditions please?

[CovKid]

Chucking a spanner in (as its Sunday):

These may work well if you do extended distant jaunts on nice days but if not, as its cloudy in the UK at least 70% of the time, I'd go by output under those conditions which lets face it, isn't going to be great. I don't use heavy consumption items but do use 12v exclusively and never use hookup ever. I just select accessories that are efficient.

However, even doing basic calculations, it worked out cheaper for me in the long run (for those very very rare occasions when my battery goes flat), to just run the engine for an hour or so or charge it up whilst out and about. I can't see how/when I'd ever get my money back on my investment - not unless the price drops by about 50%. Even if I bought, charged and took with me a spare leisure battery it still works out cheaper than going for a full solar kit and I'm good for at least five years on an extra leisure, or even charge two leisure batteries on the run. A few weeks in Spain might make it worthwhile but no good for the occasional weekend camper - not viable. Two leisure batteries should easily cope for a fortnight when stationary and I don't know THAT many people that park in one spot for two weeks without going anywhere anyway.

I say this because Hakuna Matata and I have done 'off the grid' jaunts and had no need for solar at all - well, other than a plastic bag solar shower which was great at £3 and did work. I can see all the fascination for them with dials to look at, but don't see how the numbers stack up. Yet to be convinced. All the people I've met who had solar fitted would do nothing but talk about them (some to the point of driving their victims to the point of insanity) and keep nipping off to see what the output was....