Club 80-90 Forums

Any one know the best solar panel kit I can buy for my van ..lots listed but not shure about quality..links appreciated ....thanks

It depends on the space you have. Flat surface panel or curved flexible panel?

Karmann-cheetah wrote:It depends on the space you have. Flat surface panel or curved flexible panel?

Probably go for a flat panel one for the roof ..I will need to measure the space though ..are there ones I should avoid?..

alank950 wrote:

Karmann-cheetah wrote:It depends on the space you have. Flat surface panel or curved flexible panel?

Probably go for a flat panel one for the roof ..I will need to measure the space though ..are there ones I should avoid?..

I think they're pretty much of a muchness. I've not personally heard of a bad one as such but the better controller you buy the better and it will make a difference.
Measure up first

these guys are UK based and sell good quality UK made panels by Biard.

http://www.bestecoshop.com/12v-solar/12 ... -kits.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'd recommend a rigid / semi rigid panel mounted with an air gap below to alow cooling - the stick on flexi ones are good but they become inefficient as they overheat. Also if you can stretch to it, an MPPT controller rather than a PWM one as they are much more efficient. However you decide to maount it, consider keeping the option of dismountable so you can retire your van to the shade and leave the panel only in full sun: if we ever ge any.

Jed at CVC has a contact for solar installs and he seems like a good guy.

Also check out the electrical threads on the VW T4 forum where theres loads of info:
http://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/search.php?searchid=14224657" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is what I have fitted..........


Panel
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Biard-100W-Se ... 23458e8c41" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Controller
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10A-20A-Dual- ... 3396efb9e1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Some good info there ,thanks

Meby I should look into acquiring a Frost/Rain panel !!....

I'm working on a aquapanel..... And a lunar panel....
Well, you got to have a project haven't ya.....

Mocki wrote:I'm working on a aquapanel..... And a lunar panel....
Well, you got to have a project haven't ya.....

The way things are going, wave power might be the answer!
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I fitted two 100w semi flexible panels from best eco shop on a friend van, all worked well until this week when the battery stopped charging off them. Worked my may backwards from charge controller to the panel as they were producing no voltage. In the end traced fault to two dry soldered joints in encapsulated box on panel, the vibration of driving was enough to separate them. Easily soldered up properly, but took 2 hours to trace fault and had to dig out silicone encapsulation to fix. The panels were cheap enough, but a dry joint suggests poor quality control (similar fault on each panel). They were Biard panels.

I used a 130 watt flexible solar kit from Photonic Universe , simple to install every thing
provided in the kit bar the gubbins that you stick on the roof and feed the wirng thru.

This kit kept my batteries charged for 4 days ,I was using : fridge , internal lighting, USB charger thing for the
phone,s MP3, Nano ,Kindle, water pump , never dipped under 75% of available battery power .

Personally I wouldn't recommend a kit as you can buy exactly the same components for a lot less.
You just need to work out what is best for you i.e. rigid or semi flex (how you going to mount it?), 80/100/150 watt, dual controller output or single, extra cabling/connectors/inline fuse holders etc.
Don't buy a kit, just make it up.
Baird 100 watt rigid panels can be had for as little as £84.49, controllers less than £20, it doesn't have to cost a fortune.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Biard-100W-Wa ... 1490825281" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Time-Light-LC ... 4ad54eeb17" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Martin