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Post Info TOPIC: Caravan charging ideas
Trekka


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Caravan charging ideas
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Hi all,

I am curious to what other grey's have set up in there vans in the way of charging there batteries. I will be fitting two 100 panels on the roof and they will need to be connected in-line for want of a better word, i have looked at the flexible panels on line and it appears that on the you tube docs from the USA they are connected in-line (still can't find the right wording) but all the ones that i see on the net here in Oz they say not too or don't hook up in-line (i'm sticking with in-line) where as the usual ones people use the panels with the aluminium surrounding them is okay to hook up in-line. I like the idea of the flexi panels as they are lighter and i guess more aerodynamic and less chance of getting hit by low branches when in the bush, either way the panels i choose will go thought to a management system as i have one in the ute i am worried that whist driving the charge from the ute via its management system may interfere with the one i intend to fit in the van?

The reason i like the management systems i.e like the red arc systems is that it will decide the best method of charging or maintaining the batteries for example if i am driving from the ute or if i am stopped the power from the panels will take over but if i am at a caravan park plugged in to 240 V that possibly might have a crack. From there i will fit the usual fuses/breakers and isolation switch oh and a inverter.

If any one has any good ideas and or pics of there system i would appreciate the input. 

Kind Regards,

Alan  



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Dougwe


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Hi Alan,

Parallel. I think Parallel is the word you are thinking of confuse

I have 3x150w fixed panels wired in 'parallel' on the roof of the teepee and a 120w flexible/folding panel I can use flat on ground or hang somewhere if needed for whatever reason.

The roof panels are wired to a 40a PWM 3 stage Solar Controller inside van and works well. I had a 30a controller but changed to the 40a recently. The 120w flexible is wired via a Anderson plug direct to a separate 20a PWM Solar Controller next to batteries. I set it up that way for use if something ever goes wrong with the teepee system. I used 6B&S cable where I could.

I run with 2x110ah batteries also wired in 'Parallel". For now anyway. Joined by short battery cables.

All works for me. 

 

 

Keep Safe on the roads and out there.



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PeterD


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When you say "in-line" do you mean a wire from the controller to one panel. then a wire to the next panel followed by a wire back to the controller? If you are doing that then the panels are in series. If you run a wire from the controller to both panels and the another set of wires to the other terminal of both panels then that is wiring them in parallel.

All PWM and a lot of MPPT controllers require you to wire the panels in parallel. If the maximum permitted solar input to the controller is above 44 V then you can wire them in series.

Regarding the styles of panels, the rigid panels can be mounted with an air gap beneath them. This allows you to cool the panels by natural air flow. Keeping them cooler makes them operate more efficiently.

This Youtube video shows how series and parallel connections work. It uses batteries but the same principle applies to solar panels. Please use the correct terminology in your future pasts.



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PeterD
Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top
Retired radio and electronics technician.
NSW Central Coast.

 
Aus-Kiwi


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015D441B-FEF1-4A6D-86B9-A38B6B6AB7E5.jpegI made up a plastic shield, guide so cables , tree branches etc dont get caught under solar panel ., Im sure it got me out of trouble more than once . 



-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Monday 7th of May 2018 05:13:57 PM

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Trekka


Veteran Member

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Hi All,

Yes i think that the word i was looking for was in series, i looked for it every where the other night but do you think i could find it not a chance. Any way the idea i have is two have the two panels on the roof i also have a portable 160 that i plug into the ute if the one on the roof is not coping, so i can utilize that idea on the van as well. I like the shield in front of the panel that looks good so i might go with the solid panels with some kind of shield in front of them all i have to do know is work on the management system, thanks for the idea's.

Kind regards,

Alan.

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Kebbin


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Trekka have a gander at this video....

www.youtube.com/watch

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Kebbin
swamp


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HI
Trekka
I am sure u have considered that many flexi panels tend to have a short life span ??
Redarc battery manager if u got the $$$ 30amp unit only one worth having .
Alternate would be separate 240v charger and a dc/dc /solar unit

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Kebbin


Guru

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I have two problems with the Redarc Manager, first off the price at Redarc $2258.08, yikes at lot of gold there, although a search reveals a $1000.00 saving elsewhere, so why Redarc? Secondly if you have a problem with the unit you could loose the three charging options, what then buy a gennie as well?

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Kebbin
SeaJay


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I just bought one of these www.solar4rvs.com.au/combo-mppt-solar-charge-controllers-and-remote-lcd I have 240v of panels on the van roof, and was going to jack in my other 160w folding panel and/or 100w blanket into it via Anderson plug. Got one off ebay for just over $300. Also have one of these 240v chargers hard wired in thunderauto.com.au/product/8-amp-8-stage-battery-charger/

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