installing solar power in a westy

[keytouch]

Mine sits on unistrut, 10mm all-thread rod and pipe clamps.
I can tilt it 4 ways, by unclamping one side, then propping the panel much the same as a car bonnet
fitting a compass helps to get the arc right, so I'm not re positioning it after midday.

Any chance of some photos?

[ghost123uk]

To add to the "just saying" brigade, this is correct of course :-

100watts/12volts = 8.33amps

Just saying

But 12 volts won't put much charge into a normal leisure battery (as of course "we" know).

Just saying

[keytouch]

To add to the "just saying" brigade, this is correct of course :-

100watts/12volts = 8.33amps

Just saying

But 12 volts won't put much charge into a normal leisure battery (as of course "we" know).

Just saying

I know, I was just showing examples. Particularly if a hypothetical situation where 8 amps could possibly be seen.

[ghost123uk]

Ah yes Jonathan, I know you knew

I was wondering how you get 8.2 Amps as Kev did, but I guess if the battery is seen as below 12 Volts by the smart controller, then it would adjust it's Amp/Volt ratio accordingly and in doing so produce 8 Amps at less than 12 Volts, and as the battery voltage rises that ratio changes.

[shepster]

Listen to them

Like the off button on a TV, you don't need to!

Another one for the 'ignore' list.

[kevtherev]

To add to the "just saying" brigade, this is correct of course :-

100watts/12volts = 8.33amps

Just saying

But 12 volts won't put much charge into a normal leisure battery (as of course "we" know).

Just saying

I know, I was just showing examples. Particularly if a hypothetical situation where 8 amps could possibly be seen.

Clearly not hypothetical.
When the battery recovered to 12.1 V the charge reduced to 5.2A

[keytouch]

*looks for holding head in hands emoticon*

I don't even have a solar panel yet, just trying to remember some GCSE physics.

[California Dreamin]

What tilting mechanisms do people use? If any.

I use REALLY BIG leveling blocks.... my sausages roll to the edge of my frying pan! but you can't have everything.




Martin

[Timwhy]

After a summer filled with sun and rain, I was able to make a video showing my solar set up. My first vacation was a mixed bag of cold nights and on and off rain/sun. I did not have the best position for my panels to collect enough of a charge to use all that I wanted to run. In the end I added an additional 100ah battery to my 132ah battery bank and it has worked out great. 232ah should be more than enough capacity but still dependant upon sunshine when off the grid, 235 watts of solar should also be enough to collect all that glorious sunshine.

Here's a video of my stay at my most favorite park in the State of Maine.
http://youtu.be/hqBs2E_8dio?list=UUM2De ... 8i2Z2n8MLg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[danmetallic]

After a summer filled with sun and rain, I was able to make a video showing my solar set up. My first vacation was a mixed bag of cold nights and on and off rain/sun. I did not have the best position for my panels to collect enough of a charge to use all that I wanted to run. In the end I added an additional 100ah battery to my 132ah battery bank and it has worked out great. 232ah should be more than enough capacity but still dependant upon sunshine when off the grid, 235 watts of solar should also be enough to collect all that glorious sunshine.

Here's a video of my stay at my most favorite park in the State of Maine.
http://youtu.be/hqBs2E_8dio?list=UUM2De ... 8i2Z2n8MLg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That is one very fine setup you have there Tim!

[kevtherev]

Mine sits on unistrut, 10mm all-thread rod and pipe clamps.
I can tilt it 4 ways, by unclamping one side, then propping the panel much the same as a car bonnet
fitting a compass helps to get the arc right, so I'm not re positioning it after midday.

Any chance of some photos?

[waltraud]

Hats off to WestyEnd (Patrick) for starting this very fine thread- sounds like a sewing website I know. I now have the same semi flex 100w panel on my westy roof. Perfect.

[ghost123uk]

Re Chinese solar panel controllers

I have just been looking at them on ebay whilst answering a question on another thread. Aren’t they mostly garbage

I was looking at ones in this range on ebay.

Many of them have specs like = "Full Charge Cut:13.7V" which is too low if you are running a 14.5 Volt alternator pack and "Low Voltage Cut:10.5V" which is too low also (11.5 Volts being recommended by most battery manufacturers).

"Do not use lamplight to charge the solar panel (lamplight is too weak to charge)" no kidding
"Keep children and incapable persons away from the controller" incapable persons ? I wonder who that is
"Please check the rated voltage of solar panel, battery, and loads before connection. 12V rated voltage is 12V" glad they told us that

etc etc...

You get what you pay for I suppose.

E D I T = I wonder what the best value for money, adjustable, with MPPT, one is. I am guessing this one, but I bet the instructions were written in Chinese, translated via Google into Russian, than again into English ! ( = "Chinglish" )

[kevtherev]

Full Charge Cut:13.7V

I am assuming that is the controller cut off for when your alternator is charging..it is for mine, the controller shows charged battery light when the alt is on... stops reverse charging I think

[windysurfer]

I'm convinced that the majority of the MPPT controllers on eBay are just bog standard solar regulator with MTTP printed on the box .

I'd be interest to see whats actual in the box, not a lot I'm guessing

I bought this one after reading lots of info http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAX-20A-200W- ... 1e792e7f5f and actually seeing whats inside one.