Club 80-90 Forums

I've been thinking of adding solar panels to the roof of my van for a while, not knowing a huge amount about the kit I'd appreciate a bit of advice.

On the panels, I was looking at getting two 100w - Possibly these.

I've read that if I'm running 200w of solar panels I will need a 500Wh 12 Volts 40Ah leisure battery? Should I go lithium?

I know I'll need a few other bits of kit such as a controller, but any advice on decent quality products is welcomed.

As far as what I'll be running, it will be charging devices, laptop (know I'll need an inverter), etc.

I want to use the van as an alternative workspace where I can get out of the house to nicer surroundings, so if I'm going to do this I want to do it well.

I don't know who is advising a 40Ah battery for 200w of solar - I have 220Ah of batteries with 100w of solar, running compressor fridge and odds and sods.This gives me 110Ah of usable power.
A 40Ah battery will only give you 20Ah of power before being flat if lead acid.

For gadgets use step or step down converters - they are more efficient than inverters.

Thanks, what batteries are you using?

Can't remember the make, they are AGM ones. AGM batteries can be discharged down to 20% unlike standard lead acid batteries although I still work on 50% which gives me leeway with spare capacity.

Two 100w panels will work very much better in the uk if they are wired in series, with a mppt controller , giving you 100w @ 40v rather than parallel (200w @20v)

I have two 120w panels , giving me 120w @42v which feed my mppt controller to charge my 225ah traction batteries which run my Cr80 compressor fridge, eberspacher , lights and charge ports and everything with plenty of spare capacity

From what I can dig up online, this seems a decent battery option?

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/batte ... 66926.html

Mocki wrote: ↑15 Jun 2022, 18:45 Two 100w panels will work very much better in the uk if they are wired in series, with a mppt controller , giving you 100w @ 40v rather than parallel (200w @20v)

I have two 120w panels , giving me 120w @42v which feed my mppt controller to charge my 225ah traction batteries which run my Cr80 compressor fridge, eberspacher , lights and charge ports and everything with plenty of spare capacity

So the one's in my initial link would tick that box?

Yes, although i would say you get what you pay for, cheaper semiflexible panels dont have the best reputation , although that said , i bough cheap ones for my temp are set up and they are standing up well to the conditions

Mocki wrote: ↑15 Jun 2022, 19:20 Yes, although i would say you get what you pay for, cheaper semiflexible panels dont have the best reputation , although that said , i bough cheap ones for my temp are set up and they are standing up well to the conditions

Which brand did you opt for?

To be fair, I don't need flexible panels as I can easily bolt solid ones to my roof rack. Just thought they'd be less likely to get nicked if they were glued down 

The rigid 2X 100W set from Renogy, who are apparently good spec are actually cheaper.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07 ... UB0D&psc=1

As there's a sale on at Renogy I went for one of their kits.

https://uk.renogy.com/200w-12v-24v-mono ... ontroller/

Their Inverters are pricey, will look at what else is out there for the rest.