SOLAR PANELS FIXED OR PORTABLE

briche · Guru

SOLAR PANELS FIXED OR PORTABLE

PeterS · Senior Member

Its now 4 comments and 91 vuews here, maybe people arnt game to comment incase they look silly, Like me

Woops looked at wrong post confuse See silly like me

-- Edited by PeterS on Tuesday 20th of March 2012 09:18:42 PM

roddam · Veteran Member

Hi, there is just so much to consider when setting your a caravan. Wondering what people's thoughts are on fixed solar panels verses portable solar panels. It seems very costly (1600) to get solar panels fixed to the roof of van. Wonder how people manage with portable solar panels in a small van? cheers Ann

Cruising Granny · Guru

Question off topic re topic.
Why does this threat show no replies and 21 views? Me thinks the gremlins are peeping.

justcruisin01 · Guru

Briche is correct in for & against, but you will gain much more from the panels if they are portable, you can track the sun.

I use both systems, One large 135 watt fixed & two120 watt portables.( 2 x60 watt hinged together)

I have set my wiring up in a way that I can mix & match as required, as in charging the van, tug acc batts, or camper trailer.In this case I remove the van fixed unit & fix it to the trailer roof rack.

JC.

PeterS · Senior Member

I am in the same boat trying to decide which way to go. My bigest worry is storing them when traveling, at least if they are fixed on the roof you dont have storage problem and they are also working while driving. As you say the modern ones work almost as good under trees as long as they are not in total shade, one guy tried to tell me that some new ones are designed so they work in total shade, can't see how that can be possible!

justcruisin01 · Guru

Cruising Granny wrote:
Question off topic re topic.
Why does this threat show no replies and 21 views? Me thinks the gremlins are peeping.

same here, three replies & 32 veiws. confuse

JC

tezza · Senior Member

We are happy with our portable panels and travel with them on the bed.

justcruisin01 · Guru

PeterS wrote:
I am in the same boat trying to decide which way to go. My bigest worry is storing them when traveling, at least if they are fixed on the roof you dont have storage problem and they are also working while driving. As you say the modern ones work almost as good under trees as long as they are not in total shade, one guy tried to tell me that some new ones are designed so they work in total shade, can't see how that can be possible!

Sales pitch, dont beleive it. Even partial shade will reduce your output.

Driving a tree lined roadway with mounted panels will give you a lot of shaded sections.

JC

PeterS · Senior Member

Icoulndt see how it was possible JC just trying to up sell me.

roddam · Veteran Member

We have a Windsor Rapid Expanda so our beds fold up so can't store them under the bed when travelling.

kandagal · Guru

I can't give much in the way of advce but we used to have portable ones but now have fitted to the roof of M/H. Unfortuntely or lucky for me that is all the province of my chauffeur. He fitted the panels himself & has them sending power into 2 systems - one for entertainment (TV & surround system) & the other for pumps, lights, etc

justcruisin01 · Guru

roddam wrote:
We have a Windsor Rapid Expanda so our beds fold up so can't store them under the bed when travelling.

My portable units, two off, made up of two 60 watts hinged together, thats four panels total , are in H/D carry bags & are stored in rear of vehicle in a vertical position against one side . Have two anchor points mounted to side of interia , use a ratchet strap to secure. Never move & have been around the big block.

JC

Muso · Veteran Member

We use a portable 120w (2x60) with a 10 metre cable. CT in the shade and panels in the sun.

I've got some photos somewhere showing the voltage even with the panels half shaded.

I have wired the ampmeter (on the left) the wrong way, but I know a negative number is power going into the bat. (.2 amps). The gauge on the right is the voltage and also there is no load.

-- Edited by Muso on Wednesday 21st of March 2012 05:39:56 AM

gst · Senior Member

When I place solar panels ,gen bikes or anything that could be lifted I connect a personal alarm with fishing trace line to it which is hard to see if anyone walks off with it the alarm will go off I use 1x2mts of heavy line and1x4 mts of heavy line when the alarm go,s off and they try to run awayth other heavier line will stop them. This can be set for ladies purses in shopping centerswith line and a hook you hook the line onto the trolley. P.S buy alarm from Dick Smith.

I have two panels on my van Ive found that Ive never had flat battries and these are now 4yrs old I do have folding solars panelsthese I use when Im bush bashing up the cape or where I do not take my van.

As they say horses for courses

Some-- Edited by gst on Wednesday 21st of March 2012 08:56:06 AM

-- Edited by gst on Wednesday 21st of March 2012 08:59:49 AM

-- Edited by gst on Wednesday 21st of March 2012 07:54:27 PM

rosco · Senior Member

Vic wrote:
Cruising Granny wrote:
Question off topic re topic.
Why does this threat show no replies and 21 views? Me thinks the gremlins are peeping.
They are probably like me Granny, a peeper because I don't know anything about solar panels so look at the thread hoping to learn something. Glad those that do know are now posting though.
Lot of new people and others who "peep" who are still learning. For myself I have just never had anything to do with solar panels, so peep to try and learn.

Same reason I'm one of the viewers. Looking to improve my knowledge of solar panels too. I have an idea of what they do but have no idea of how they are connected nor what muso is saying about his ampmeters and negative thingos and loads on voltage. Thats foreign language to me.

Am trying hard to learn though.

-- Edited by rosco on Wednesday 21st of March 2012 09:34:33 AM

DeBe · Guru

100W Solar Panels.JPG 100Watt solar 2.JPG This is my 100W solar system mounted a cross the back of the van on aluminum angle. total cost $700 aprox about 4yrsago. runs a waeco 80Liter upright fridge & lights. With permanent fit it less to packup to shift. While its not 100% efficient it does the job.

-- Edited by DeBe on Wednesday 21st of March 2012 10:08:26 AM

Helena · Guru

As we have a small van and have to watch with storage space we had ours fitted seems to work well for us but I guess it is a matter of choice. Helena.

peter and rose · Veteran Member

It really comes down to personal preference
We have a 16ft expanda and use a 120w panel (2 x 60w) The panel is not fixed If we are in an area with good sun I put it on top of the van with the lead hooked up to the batteries via the side hatch. If we end up in a shaded area I place it on the ground where it can get reasonable sun and shift it around 2-3 times a day
This makes it easy to keep clean as well when we travel it sits in the back seat with the rubbery jigsaw mats we use in the shower on each side and is usually wedged in with other camping equipment
As for security when its on the roof you need a step ladder to get it off which we leave in the car If it is on the ground and we are freecamping you just make an assessment of who is around and how safe you think the place is (we also have a stainless steel cable to lock either the panel, the boat or the jenny off with when we are absent)
Hope this helps
Peter

Vic · Guru

Cruising Granny wrote:
Question off topic re topic.
Why does this threat show no replies and 21 views? Me thinks the gremlins are peeping.

They are probably like me Granny, a peeper because I don't know anything about solar panels so look at the thread hoping to learn something. Glad those that do know are now posting though.

Lot of new people and others who "peep" who are still learning. For myself I have just never had anything to do with solar panels, so peep to try and learn.

beiffe · Guru

I have used portable panels for over 4 years and have never had a problem. I now have panels fixed on roof of new bus but still retained the portable. Used if needed for bus plus 2 x 40 get used on the dinghy to keep the battery up either when moored or fishing HEHE.

Regards
Brian

barina · Guru

My brother bought Solar panel 160w for $400 off ebay just recently...........

valnrob · Guru

rockylizard wrote:
Gday...
For the past couple of years I have used a generator (which cost $1600) and not had any solar panels.
Last January I had 2x80W solar panels fitted to the roof of the van. I can only comment on these as I have not used portable ones.
When I get up in the morning (around 7am) my battery is showing around 12.7V after the night's use running lights, 12vpump and maybe an hour of TV. At 7am the solar panels are barely recording any volts on the roof and obviously not putting anything into the batteries.
By 9am my battery is back to full (between 13.8V-14.3V) if there is sun (even at that very acute angle) and even back to full by 11am if overcast.
When driving obviously the panels are constantly charging the van from whatever 'solar' they are catching. I have yet to pull up for the night after travelling without the battery being full (except if driving all day in rain then the vehicle alternator has maintained a good charge level).
They seem to work pretty well on overcast days, but if actually raining they don't put very much in at all. I guess thicker cloud cover when actually raining. Therefore two or three days of rain and I would need the generator to top up the batteries. Thankfully I have not experienced more than a day and a half of rain so far this year.
I have not used my generator since having the solar panels installed. Cost for 2x80W panels, mounted, wired and controller supplied and fitted $1,394.
Cheers
John

We have two 85w panels fitted on the roof of our van, feeding two batteries. Same as you John, 12.6 in the morning, not long after back up to 13.7. One battery does the ARB fridge, and the other lighting, tv, laptop and phone. On the roof of the Rodeo we have another 85w panel, 1 battery running the Engel fridge in the ute. In our 2 mth stay in Victoria we didn't run the gennie at all to recharge and some of the weather patterns left a lot to be desired as far as sun went. Rob fitted all the panels, batteries, wiring etc which saved us fair bit of cash.

-- Edited by valnrob on Wednesday 21st of March 2012 05:06:50 PM

gollymolly · Senior Member

I would rather have too much info than not enough. Thanks for that, as we are looking at making a decision on this also

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

For the past couple of years I have used a generator (which cost $1600) and not had any solar panels.

Last January I had 2x80W solar panels fitted to the roof of the van. I can only comment on these as I have not used portable ones.

When I get up in the morning (around 7am) my battery is showing around 12.7V after the night's use running lights, 12vpump and maybe an hour of TV. At 7am the solar panels are barely recording any volts on the roof and obviously not putting anything into the batteries.

By 9am my battery is back to full (between 13.8V-14.3V) if there is sun (even at that very acute angle) and even back to full by 11am if overcast.

When driving obviously the panels are constantly charging the van from whatever 'solar' they are catching. I have yet to pull up for the night after travelling without the battery being full (except if driving all day in rain then the vehicle alternator has maintained a good charge level).

They seem to work pretty well on overcast days, but if actually raining they don't put very much in at all. I guess thicker cloud cover when actually raining. Therefore two or three days of rain and I would need the generator to top up the batteries. Thankfully I have not experienced more than a day and a half of rain so far this year. biggrin

I have not used my generator since having the solar panels installed. Cost for 2x80W panels, mounted, wired and controller supplied and fitted $1,394.

Cheers

John

cannylass · Senior Member

We have two panels fixed to the roofof our caravan and my husband has made them so he can track the sun works brilliant

Muso · Veteran Member

Same reason I'm one of the viewers. Looking to improve my knowledge of solar panels too. I have an idea of what they do but have no idea of how they are connected nor what muso is saying about his ampmeters and negative thingos and loads on voltage. Thats foreign language to me.

Hi Rosco.

In my opinion I should not have mentioned the ampmeter or even installed it for that matter. I have found the voltmeter more value (and a lot cheaper than an ampmeter). Considering my 12v battery is fully charged at 12.7 volts and the float charge is around 13.7 volts (to keep it at 12.7v), I know if the solar regulator is putting in more than 13.7, then my batterys state of charge must be lower than 12.7 (because the battery is accepting more charge). The solar panels are capable of generating over 17volts.

Now that should be as clear as mud and I apologize for drifting off the thread.

NandK · Senior Member

I've got portable 260w folding pannels yet to be tried,don't know much about them so like to have a read and see what other people use
certainly get some good info of here.
I'm going to fit an anderson plug on the pannels so i can plug into the anderson plug on the van.

Muso · Veteran Member

Correct Rosco.

1 x 120Ah AGM bat

1 x 120W portable solar panel with 10 metre cable

1 x Waeco 50L Dual Zone fridge (power guzzler)

2 x 1metre LED strip lights.

My portable solar panels also came with heavy duty alligator clamps so that if ever I get a flat battery in the car I can recharge with the solar panels.

This photo shows the conditions in Parachilna Gorge Flinders Ranges, it was more smoke than cloud cover, but I was still get plently of charge.

-- Edited by Muso on Thursday 22nd of March 2012 05:02:36 PM

rosco · Senior Member

Muso wrote:
Same reason I'm one of the viewers. Looking to improve my knowledge of solar panels too. I have an idea of what they do but have no idea of how they are connected nor what muso is saying about his ampmeters and negative thingos and loads on voltage. Thats foreign language to me.

Hi Rosco.

In my opinion I should not have mentioned the ampmeter or even installed it for that matter. I have found the voltmeter more value (and a lot cheaper than an ampmeter). Considering my 12v battery is fully charged at 12.7 volts and the float charge is around 13.7 volts (to keep it at 12.7v), I know if the solar regulator is putting in more than 13.7, then my batterys state of charge must be lower than 12.7 (because the battery is accepting more charge). The solar panels are capable of generating over 17volts.

Now that should be as clear as mud and I apologize for drifting off the thread.

Sorry muso, I shouldn't have singled you out. Dont have solar myself and dont fully understand it, but am keen to get all the info I can.

Am assuming you have one battery. From your post, solar keeps your battery charged all the time. Is this correct? Would you need electricity at all? would you need to enter a caravan park just to get power?

Off thread is okay by me too, just hope I dont hijack it.