Solar on a tintop

[CovKid]

Will do that as soon as I can John if you're keen to know. It must be putting more into my battery than that thing we tested in Derbyshire lol

[ghost123uk]

Indeed

On a dull day my 60W panel often only produces well less than 1/2 an Amp, but I reckon mine is not as good as some of the newer ones, as many on here seem to get (proportionately) higher figures on dull days.

[CovKid]

Even 1/2 amp is better than no amps. Quoted high figures still rely on good sunlight though. No idea how a flexi fares amongst others but not too bothered as long as it makes hay while the sun shines. This time of year its always sunny when I'm cooped up in my office so hopefully it does the job. Just waiting for my relay to arrive so it kicks in when engine is off. For now I'm using croc clips on a spare leisure battery.

[Mocki]

You do have a solar controller on it don't you ??
You shouldn't need a relay to disconnect when the engine starts , the alternator voltage should deal with that through the controller .....

[CovKid]

Yes, have solar controller. No need for a relay then Steve? Was thinking alternator might damage controller.

[kevtherev]

Yes, have solar controller. No need for a relay then Steve? Was thinking alternator might damage controller.

The controller sees the battery as full and has protection for bleedback to the panel

[CovKid]

Excellent. Thanks Kev. Can finish that job tomorrow then

My controller is for a single battery but easy enough to put in a switch so it will charge starter too if ever needed.

Good day today. Fixed a PC for an elderly lady a mile or two away, connected and made a video of a blower motor controlled by a PWM unit, and sorted the solar. Work doesn't seem so bad now. Mondays are always uncomfortable.

[CovKid]

Ok John. Overcast early to mid-morning today. Saw around 1.6 to 2 amps when I checked at 10am. You did ask. Couldn't get out of work to check at lunchtime but given the minimal sunlight I'd be lucky if I'd have got much above 3 amps. And as Kev rightly says, controller ceases charging if engine is running.

On the plus side, it topped up all three batteries I had onboard by 10am. Had to keep swapping leads as each one reached full charge. Good enough I think. Couple of edges to seal and a tidy up but nothing major to do now. Left enough drain pathways under supports so that if it does get moist under there, it can run out no prob.



For reference, used these for standoffs (five pieces). Also gives space to stuff extra cable out the way:



I can't see a better way to fix down a flexi panel on a tintop due to the ribs. Would recommend flexi solar panels where you just want to fit and forget but you'll always get more from a panel that you can angle. For me its just about topping up the leisure so I can run the Propex every night. Seems like it will do that and more.

[Mocki]

ofcourse it will charge at less amps if the battery is near to charged, the controller will drop the charge rate .

looks good up there, and whilst , yes, pointing it at the sun will give better performance, if you can be doing with faffing around chasing the sun.....

[CovKid]

I like the fact you can't really see it at ground level. I suppose it could be replicated on next two ribs but 100 watt is probably all I need. The other things is that the slight curve seems to shrug off raindrops.

[Mocki]

I like the fact you can't really see it at ground level. I suppose it could be replicated on next two ribs but 100 watt is probably all I need. The other things is that the slight curve seems to shrug off raindrops.

you'll still have to shovel the snow off tho!!! lol

[kevtherev]

I added another 110 in parallel, making 220 ah. for winter
In winter the extra battery is a precautionary addition as the cloud cover can be somewhat erratic, from 1.5 - 2amp on a lighter cloud, to 0.5a on a really dull cloud covering.
When the winter sun comes out, I have the ability to place the array directly at the sun and charge very fast.
When I'm high up or on the western coast I have followed it till it disappears over the horizon

I have a Webasto..it's on mostly all day and night for the lady
Thankfully it cycles down.

[CovKid]

Can't bear being cold Kev. Always been my priority to be honest. Last year I DIY- fitted a tank under back seat to supply gas for cooking and heating after several heated (excuse the pun) exchanges with Calor over the lack of Calor Lite bottles. On several occasions I had to drive to the other side of Hinckley just to get refills which was ridiculous considering how much they charge for fresh bottles anyway. I got a real kick out of filling up the first time and the whole lot came to about £70 at most. Small LPG tanks make great catering tanks - they only need a valve change.

If it will charge the battery up every day and give me heat all night, I'll be happy with that, but if another panel comes up at a reasonable price, I may add another. My controller just uses LED indicators. If I used anything more sophisticated than that, I'd just have more things to worry about and I just want to get out there to be honest - and stay warm.

That said, I was pleased with the brief test today. I have three batteries, starter, leisure, plus a spare starter so a three-way switch would let me charge all of them one at a time I reckon. I must get rid of that zig unit in the back - never used it!

Shoved this in the WIKI in case its of any use to anyone in the future: https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ca ... o_a_tintop" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[kevtherev]

I have three batteries, starter, leisure, plus a spare starter so a three-way switch would let me charge all of them one at a time I reckon.

I too have three, this controller allows me to choose in percentage between the starter and the two leisures in parallel.
During the week it ers on the starter 80% and 20% on the leisures to keep the tracker happy, at the weekend it's 90% leisures.
The switch sounds like a good plan, I'm genuinely pleased for you Ralph.

I've toyed with a switch idea to connect the leisures to the starter (for emergency purposes )

[Mocki]

surely now you have proper working solar panel you can get rid of some of those extra batteries ?
i only have a 085 starter battery and a 100aH leisure, and my panel keeps up nicely.