Solar Power

Long Weekend · Long Weekend

I thought I had posted this a while ago but it seems that it disappeared. I think it was because I didn't start a new topic. There are several sites in America covering a new(?) concept of having solar cells on the van awning. Called XPanse Solar Awnings the awning is simply rolled out and with the whole aw...

Nomad2019 · Nomad2019

Am researching the purchase of a solar blanket to supplement the 2x150w panels on the roof of my caravan as the current situation means I run out of power after say three days off grid. Any information would be very much appreciated as I understand it's not as easy as taking the blanket out of the box and p...

jpd1009 · jpd1009

Hi, I have a 250w panel with integrated mttp controller. I am about to fit a DC-DC charger near the battries that also has a dedicated mppt solar input. Optiona are... 1. Ignore the mppt on the DC-DC charger and keep using the solar panel untouched into the DC input to the battery. 2. De-commission the mp...

Chrisrich · Chrisrich

Jayco 2005 poptop has a battery installed under a bed, and are looking at folding portable solar blanket connected via anderson plug on drawbar to charge when 240 mains power not availableWould I need a controller/ regulator of any kind or does Jayco have some sort of management system ? I have no ide...

Sarge9 · Sarge9

My understanding is the solar controller needs to be as close to the battery as possible, do I have this right and what sort of loss are we talking. Scenario is: Daughters Jayco poptop has a battery installed near the drivers side wheel arch under a bed, they are considering folding portable solar pane...

Cliff Wilson - Sooty · Cliff Wilson - Sooty

Good afternoon all, I'm looking at buying a generator for my motorhome. While surfing the net I came across the Bluetti AC200P solar generator. I was just wondering if anybody has had a good look at this system. I found two reviews on Youtube about this unit. 1 - Best in-car/4WD portable battery power...

VK2FJW · VK2FJW

I was ripped off and paid $44,500 for a Snowy River SR18 that had a 240 volt fire in the walls, it had a BMPRO 30-35 so thinking I had a good van I purchased a BMPRO BatteryPlus35-II-HA and 4 new 160 amp solar panels and 4 100 amp lithium batteries. I can't find another van in my price range max. $40,000 with BM...

goldenyears · goldenyears

Hi all i have a redarc bms 30 connected to a roof top solar panel on my motorhome .. when parked in the shade i want to use my portable solar blanket hooked up with its own regulator directly to the battery .. At the moment when vehicle covered i hook up the portable sometimes to put a charge in battery .. the...

geraldine-ann · geraldine-ann

I have joined this site with a specific goal in mind - to warn all to stay away from Outbax camping - unless you want to buy a cheap import with a PWM controller that does not have a proper heat sink and might easily cause a fire (instead of the MPPT controller they are advertised as having.) They are also su...

Warren-Pat_01 · Warren-Pat_01

G'day people, I'm looking at upgrading the ET 55w panel on my pop-top & going to a larger panel. That is if I can get three of the four mounting feet off the roof without doing any damage. Output power is not a major consideration as our power needs are low, however weight is - I'm not getting any younge...

Mike Harding · Mike Harding

Recent threads got me thinking about solar panel directions and angles so I've done a little research and this is a good site for data: Solar panel angles calculator The calculator allows country and town selection and will calculate optimum panel angle for each month or the year. *NB* the angle it ca...

iana · iana

The system on our van is 3 x 145w solar panels coupled into a GSL mppt 60 amp regulator. I have wired the system up so that there is a removable jumper connection, made up of Anderson plugs. The reason I did this is two fold, one to easily disconnect the solar panels before working on the batteries, and to en...

RobDor · RobDor

My current setup is 300watt solar panels and 200AH (2 x 100AH) Lithium Batteries. Based on some testing over past week, the batteries will deplete after about a week because it doesn't get enough charge during the daylight hours to sustain the power draw (mainly fridge running 24/7). Fridge will dra...

peatop · peatop

Hi everyone, I thought I would start a new thread about batteries or more to the point brands, to date the only Lithium batteries I've had anything to do with are 18650's and my 17.5Ah kayak battery which I use a dedicated Lithium charger to charge both types, I've been searching the net for information...

Tailor · Tailor

Hi, Recently installed lithium batteries in our van using a victron 100/30 blue solar controller and victron blue battery charger. Reason for using Victron, other than their good reputation, was the blue tooth facilities available with my iphone. So far. so good, both systems are working OK. howe...

Eremita · Eremita

G'day everybody! Would someone know a good electrician in Sydney or around, capable of re-doing a not so well done job on a Ford TRansit? Thank you for any referral.

Weven · Weven

Given the wealth of knowledge in this place, what flexible panels should I be using on a slightly curved fiber glass roof and any tips for installation (heat) would be a appreciated. Thanks

dorian · dorian

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-21/australian-start-up-creates-world-s-most-efficient-solar-cell/100476152

Collo · Collo

Our van has been in storage for the last two years. The invertor was accidentally left on and now the batteries have zero charge. I had the power connected all day, but no sign of any charging. Are they dead? Gel batteries about seven years old, hardly used. Collo.

Paulp · Paulp

I have 2 x 190watt house pannels on van which produce 36v on a sunny day and going through a Victron Mppt controller 100/20. There as been no issues to date and work very well charging a 120amp battery in a few hrs in the morning and on a float charge the rest of the day My question is looking on this forum no...

Topic		Started By	Replies	Views	Last Post
	Solar Awnings (Preview) I thought I had posted this a while ago but it seems that it disappeared. I think it was because I didn't start a new topic. There are several sites in America covering a new(?) concept of having solar cells on the van awning. Called XPanse Solar Awnings the awning is simply rolled out and with the whole aw...	Long Weekend	1	1626	07:35 AM May 9, 2022 by dorian
	Purchasing a solar blanket (not panels) for my caravan (Preview) Am researching the purchase of a solar blanket to supplement the 2x150w panels on the roof of my caravan as the current situation means I run out of power after say three days off grid. Any information would be very much appreciated as I understand it's not as easy as taking the blanket out of the box and p...	Nomad2019	5	1454	06:02 PM Apr 28, 2022 by TimTim
	Multiple MTTP controller conundrum (Preview) Hi, I have a 250w panel with integrated mttp controller. I am about to fit a DC-DC charger near the battries that also has a dedicated mppt solar input. Optiona are... 1. Ignore the mppt on the DC-DC charger and keep using the solar panel untouched into the DC input to the battery. 2. De-commission the mp...	jpd1009	7	1293	08:05 PM Mar 8, 2022 by Hylife
	Solar blanket (Preview) Jayco 2005 poptop has a battery installed under a bed, and are looking at folding portable solar blanket connected via anderson plug on drawbar to charge when 240 mains power not availableWould I need a controller/ regulator of any kind or does Jayco have some sort of management system ? I have no ide...	Chrisrich	9	1914	09:29 PM Feb 25, 2022 by Hylife
	solar controller where to install (Preview) My understanding is the solar controller needs to be as close to the battery as possible, do I have this right and what sort of loss are we talking. Scenario is: Daughters Jayco poptop has a battery installed near the drivers side wheel arch under a bed, they are considering folding portable solar pane...	Sarge9	7	1640	10:05 PM Feb 23, 2022 by Hylife
	Bluetti AC200p Solar Generator - 2000w (Preview) Good afternoon all, I'm looking at buying a generator for my motorhome. While surfing the net I came across the Bluetti AC200P solar generator. I was just wondering if anybody has had a good look at this system. I found two reviews on Youtube about this unit. 1 - Best in-car/4WD portable battery power...	Cliff Wilson - Sooty	19	2471	02:20 PM Feb 22, 2022 by Whenarewethere
	Installing a stand alone system in a caravan? HELP NEEDED (Preview) I was ripped off and paid $44,500 for a Snowy River SR18 that had a 240 volt fire in the walls, it had a BMPRO 30-35 so thinking I had a good van I purchased a BMPRO BatteryPlus35-II-HA and 4 new 160 amp solar panels and 4 100 amp lithium batteries. I can't find another van in my price range max. $40,000 with BM...	VK2FJW	10	2161	04:17 PM Jan 13, 2022 by VK2FJW
	REDARC MANAGER 30 help needed (Preview) Hi all i have a redarc bms 30 connected to a roof top solar panel on my motorhome .. when parked in the shade i want to use my portable solar blanket hooked up with its own regulator directly to the battery .. At the moment when vehicle covered i hook up the portable sometimes to put a charge in battery .. the...	goldenyears	16	2218	12:40 AM Jan 10, 2022 by Mamil
	Stay away from Outbax Camping Solar Panels ( 1 2 ) (Preview) I have joined this site with a specific goal in mind - to warn all to stay away from Outbax camping - unless you want to buy a cheap import with a PWM controller that does not have a proper heat sink and might easily cause a fire (instead of the MPPT controller they are advertised as having.) They are also su...	geraldine-ann	32	13867	10:22 AM Jan 7, 2022 by Dick0
	What panels do the experts here use? Good or cheap? (Preview) G'day people, I'm looking at upgrading the ET 55w panel on my pop-top & going to a larger panel. That is if I can get three of the four mounting feet off the roof without doing any damage. Output power is not a major consideration as our power needs are low, however weight is - I'm not getting any younge...	Warren-Pat_01	21	3715	05:08 PM Dec 16, 2021 by Izabarack
	Solar panel angle (Preview) Recent threads got me thinking about solar panel directions and angles so I've done a little research and this is a good site for data: Solar panel angles calculator The calculator allows country and town selection and will calculate optimum panel angle for each month or the year. NB the angle it ca...	Mike Harding	14	2549	09:24 PM Dec 9, 2021 by Tony LEE
	Series circuit and adding an extra portable panel. (Preview) The system on our van is 3 x 145w solar panels coupled into a GSL mppt 60 amp regulator. I have wired the system up so that there is a removable jumper connection, made up of Anderson plugs. The reason I did this is two fold, one to easily disconnect the solar panels before working on the batteries, and to en...	iana	20	1607	12:58 PM Nov 17, 2021 by yobarr
	Can I boost my battery charging with portable solar panel when required ? (Preview) My current setup is 300watt solar panels and 200AH (2 x 100AH) Lithium Batteries. Based on some testing over past week, the batteries will deplete after about a week because it doesn't get enough charge during the daylight hours to sustain the power draw (mainly fridge running 24/7). Fridge will dra...	RobDor	13	2080	01:07 AM Nov 16, 2021 by peatop
	Lithium batteries ( 1 2 ) (Preview) Hi everyone, I thought I would start a new thread about batteries or more to the point brands, to date the only Lithium batteries I've had anything to do with are 18650's and my 17.5Ah kayak battery which I use a dedicated Lithium charger to charge both types, I've been searching the net for information...	peatop	32	5138	12:25 AM Nov 16, 2021 by peatop
	Lithium battery bank with victron blue solar controller and victron blue charger (Preview) Hi, Recently installed lithium batteries in our van using a victron 100/30 blue solar controller and victron blue battery charger. Reason for using Victron, other than their good reputation, was the blue tooth facilities available with my iphone. So far. so good, both systems are working OK. howe...	Tailor	3	1311	03:40 PM Oct 23, 2021 by Tailor
	Electrician in Sydney - or arround. Electrician solar panel (Preview) G'day everybody! Would someone know a good electrician in Sydney or around, capable of re-doing a not so well done job on a Ford TRansit? Thank you for any referral.	Eremita	0	959	01:00 PM Oct 19, 2021 by Eremita
	What Flexible Panel? ( 1 2 ) (Preview) Given the wealth of knowledge in this place, what flexible panels should I be using on a slightly curved fiber glass roof and any tips for installation (heat) would be a appreciated. Thanks	Weven	45	4718	02:59 PM Oct 9, 2021 by Mike Harding
	Australian technology start-up creates world's most efficient solar cell while replacing silver with copper (Preview) https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-21/australian-start-up-creates-world-s-most-efficient-solar-cell/100476152	dorian	5	1288	01:13 PM Sep 24, 2021 by dorian
	Dead Batteries (Preview) Our van has been in storage for the last two years. The invertor was accidentally left on and now the batteries have zero charge. I had the power connected all day, but no sign of any charging. Are they dead? Gel batteries about seven years old, hardly used. Collo.	Collo	7	1615	08:47 AM Sep 17, 2021 by Whenarewethere
	House Pannels on Van 190W 36V (Preview) I have 2 x 190watt house pannels on van which produce 36v on a sunny day and going through a Victron Mppt controller 100/20. There as been no issues to date and work very well charging a 120amp battery in a few hrs in the morning and on a float charge the rest of the day My question is looking on this forum no...	Paulp	10	1629	02:43 PM Aug 25, 2021 by Tex260Z
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