Any opinions as to whether fixed roof panels are better than a moveable panel. I'm thinking that while you are driving, the tug is charging the caravan battery and when you are camped you can arrange the moveable panels to get best sun, especially if you camp in the shade.
As you have identified both have distinct advantages, yes the panels on the roof will charge all the time they are in the sun, but realistically they are probably less than 70% as efficient as a panel you can move to re aim it at the sun from time to time.
The other factor to consider, is that your moveable panels are very tempting for other people to borrow, thus you can only really leave them out when you are there.
If you consider that your roof top panels will charge all the time they are in the sun, you would need to spend a lot of time with your van parked, and yourselves present and tending to the panels to capture as much energy.
Most people chase the best of both worlds, they have one or more panels on the roof, then have one or more fold out panels they can use when they can to top up.
I've mounted my 80 watt folding panel on the roof rack using some metal 'C' section from the dump. The panels slide into this and live there when driving. When parked if I'm under a tree I can easily slide the panels out and with an extension cord locate them in the sun. Simple and cheap. See pic.
I have the best of both worlds I spose. 450w fixed flat on the roof of the CV and 120w portable wired in separately via it's own regulator.
The portable is actually a fixed panel I converted to portable and changed the cable to 6B&S into a Anderson plug on the back of the van. I only use this one when needed.
All works great for me.
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
we have 2 x 120w panels on our roof and 2 x 100amp dry batts. They run all the LED lights in the van and the TV (with Vast if necessary).
Solar gets technical as some panels work best in hot air where the other type don't and vice versa.
We have a plug in fitted at manufacture which allows us to connect portable panels (without a regular attached as there already is one fitted for the roof units). Never had the need to buy portable ones and like Plendo - Im concerned that someone will steal them if we leave the van unattended - even in a CP (when we hear verified reports of complete caravans being stolen out of the CP).
We do carry a Honda 2GU genie with us, bot never needed to use it. But the genie will charge up the batts quick smart on bad days if it was needed (just don't totally discharge your batts or they may not re-charge.
Dammed it you do and dammed if you don't lol.
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
we have 2 x 120w panels on our roof and 2 x 100amp dry batts. They run all the LED lights in the van and the TV (with Vast if necessary).
Solar gets technical as some panels work best in hot air where the other type don't and vice versa.
We have a plug in fitted at manufacture which allows us to connect portable panels (without a regular attached as there already is one fitted for the roof units). Never had the need to buy portable ones and like Plendo - Im concerned that someone will steal them if we leave the van unattended - even in a CP (when we hear verified reports of complete caravans being stolen out of the CP).
We do carry a Honda 2GU genie with us, bot never needed to use it. But the genie will charge up the batts quick smart on bad days if it was needed (just don't totally discharge your batts or they may not re-charge.
Dammed it you do and dammed if you don't lol.
Your reply prompts 2 questions.
1. What brand dry batts do you use?
2. Do you have some sort of locking device on your van to discourage thieves?
-- Edited by Spydermann on Wednesday 3rd of June 2015 08:16:27 PM
Any opinions as to whether fixed roof panels are better than a moveable panel. I'm thinking that while you are driving, the tug is charging the caravan battery and when you are camped you can arrange the moveable panels to get best sun, especially if you camp in the shade.
Hi
I had portable panel for the last MH I had. I was happy with them and went from 2x 80W initially to 4x 80W at the end. Saved having to be so diligent chasing the sun on bad days. I had a good spot to store them on the boot box and also had a long stainless cable made up at a boat shop with eyes at the ends and used that to lock the panels with some small padlocks, to the truck or fence or ?
I could park under a tree or where ever and not have to worry as I could put the panels out in the sun. Worked well, particularly when stopping for a while.
However I am a bit constrained for space with this one so have put a couple on the roof. It works OK too. Have to be carefull about the shade if I want the solar power but as I am travelling every day that is not a problem as the motor charges then.
We have a 50 watt panel on the roof of the Avan. Portable (Briefcase) panel 80 watt available for plugging in. Unless we are stopped in a place for more than two days, or panel not in the sun, we don't use the portable one. Three way fridge on gas, it's only lights and the sat TV that need the battery power.
In all the years of camping, this includes UK, America, Canada, NZ, Europe. Never had anything stolen. Still don't lock solar panels or sat dish etc. Suppose we have been lucky. Anyone had gear pinched ? I usually hear second hand tales of people losing stuff.
A combination is very important. I have a 60w on the roof for keeping batteries topped up while in the driveway and for traveling. I also have 160w portable for while static. I upgraded the on board (in van) controller to a 20A MPPT and added an Anderson plug to the outside to plug in the portables (bypassed the panels own controller first). Portable fridge/freezer is powered from a separate AGM which charges from the Prado while moving and from another 120w portable while static. I also carry a Honda 2.0 genny with a separate battery charger (Ctek 25A) for emergency top ups. Had to use it a couple of times in rainy/dull weather and it saved the day. I often see caravans with a huge amount of solar collection on the roof. Personally I try not to park my van in the full sun when static so that would not work for me. Yes the portables can be stolen but so can many other items without much effort. I do chain them up to the van if I can and also have my licence no engraved on them (for identification).
My bent on the subject is that I am not going to babysit the panels all day to get a reasonable charge. I have mounted mine on the rood, I don't have to worry about shifting them or theft. Just go for about 20% more panel and you achieve the same results with the panels on top.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
I have 500watts on the roof and another150watts of portable, only bring these out if we have had a big usage night or if the sky is very overcast. If a lot of wet days then I have the option of hooking up the diesel generator ( ute) to charge the battery with 20amp dc/dc charger. I use a home made hand throttle to run the revs up to 1500 rpm to 2500rpm only to stop glazing of the bore. It will charge at idle but modern diesels can glaze the bore if left idling for to long.
-- Edited by Dav4Cris on Tuesday 9th of June 2015 09:52:51 PM
Know one guy who has a large camper shell of a 450 (1.5 ton) 4 x 4 diesel with which he pulls a toy hauler trailer (BMW and dirt bikes). He has a total of 1.8 kW on camper shell and trailer with battery suite in both and connector cable from trailer to camper shell. He also has additional panels on side of camper shell which he can swing up and lock in place for the total of 1.8 kW.Have run into others when boondocking that use combination of fixed on roof and movable panel in US.
Photo is camped at Elephant Butte on Mothers' Day Weekend with older son and family, daughter and boyfriend etc. Ran 1.7 kW a/c unit for 3 hours during day from solar/battery suite.
Reed and Elaine (currently in New Mexico, USA) 2006 Chevie 3500 (1-ton) 4 x 4 diesel (6.6 l with dualie rear axle) with 45 gallon Transfer-flow auxiliary diesel tank Open Range 34' (10 meter) 5th wheel 1.4 kW in panels (2 sets of 3 x 235 W panels in series for 90 V to controller) TriStar MPPT-45 controller 8.7 kW-hr (48 V nominal) LFP Magnum 4.0 kW PSWI 508 W Mean Well 48 to 12 V converter All LED inside and out 1.0 kW Honda generator (never used in two years except to make sure it still runs).
