Just bought a 200w solar blanket with regulator and 6 m extension lead
Id appreciate some tips on installation and use for my New Age MantaRay 16.5 van. ( it has already fitted an Anderson plug on the A frame when bought for solar connection)
Ive read a little about it but would appreciate hands on advice
Thanks Ron
Just bought a 200w solar blanket with regulator and 6 m extension lead Id appreciate some tips on installation and use for my New Age MantaRay 16.5 van. ( it has already fitted an Anderson plug on the A frame when bought for solar connection) Ive read a little about it but would appreciate hands on advice Thanks Ron
If what you have purchased is indeed a solar blanket & you want to mount it on your van, I'm afraid you have bought the wrong thing. Solar blankets are intend for unrolling when at camp, not for use when in motion.
If I have misunderstood your intention, you can just plug it in to your Anderson plug when at camp, & just ensure you keep it in the sun (ie. keep moving it to maximise the input to your battery).
Knock up a frame, obviously collapsible so it can be stored. Blankets are more inefficient than solid panels so more so you really need to have it reasonably square to the sun. Also being on a frame it will have ventilation to stay cooler & maintain better output.
Also get more cable, any small shadow will bring down the entire output. It is surprising just how far shadows are cast, especially in the morning when one is probably desperate to get as many amps as possible.
Any regulator on a panel is in the wrong place due to voltage drop. Either move it or replace it so the regulator is next to the battery. Cable voltage drop should be between the panel & regulator & not between the regulator & battery.
Get a meter so you know what the panel is producing. Very handy simply to track down power issues quickly.
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Hello Ronzo;
Just a thought based on the way our Caravan is set up; our caravan has roof solar panels fitted, and we also have a solar blanket, when required we plug it into an Andersen Plug on our van that was factory fitted; we plug the solar blanket straight into the van without using the solar regulator provided with the Solar blanket; because the BMS in our van takes care of any solar inputs; I suggest you contact the Caravan Manufacturer to determine how they have configured your van for use of the subject Andersen Plug; hopes this assist in solving your query ( Your term "tips on installation" is a little confusing!)
Kind Regards
Joe
The last thing you want to do is simply plug a solar panel in without precisely knowing how it is set up.
Post a few photos of controller setup & model name & number, we should be able work out how you can get the best out of your setup. Nothing worse than no fridge while camping!
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Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!
50L custom fuel rack 6x20W 100/20mppt 4x26Ah gel 28L super insulated fridge TPMS 3 ARB compressors heatsink fan cooled 4L tank aftercooler Air/water OCD cleaning 4 stage car acoustic insulation.
More info on the setup is needed. Has the van got its own solar charge controller in it which is connected to the Anderson plug or does that plug go directly to the battery. Your don't want your solar panel connected straight to your battery but at the same time you don't want to connect your solar panel with its controller to another controller in the van.
-- Edited by Corndoggy on Wednesday 3rd of July 2024 11:29:34 AM
My van is 2015 vintage and had a blue Anderson plug factory fitted for future solar attachments. You guys have raised valid points that Ill need to check with New Age before just plugging in particularly whether I need a regulator or is it already built in . Somehow I dont think it would be built back then but good point to check
Thanks for your pointers
Regards
Ron
Ok firstly how far is your Anderson plug connection away from your batteries?
The best way is connect you solar controller close to the battery and then run a lead to your Anderson plug on the outside of the van. That way you have minimal voltage drop between batteries and controller and a more accurate battery voltage reading. You then wont forget to connect the controller as I have seen some ppl do. Also you do not need to worry about connection of the solar controller to the battery first.
With solar blankets laid flat on the ground you lose significant output especially this time of year and further south you are. Unless it comes with its own stand as others have suggested build one unless you can live with the reduced output. Some cant be bothered with that and will just throw an extra blanket on the ground.
