BLOOTOONCARAVAN Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 Hi guys I have a question I am hoping you can all answer. I am picking up my new Vision 640/6 in 2 weeks time which I am looking forward to getting away in it. My question is- It has a Solar pane on the roof and I was wondering what it is used for, i. e does it just power the 12v system? Will it keep the Battery charged in the caravan when it is not being used? Thanks Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Medes Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 We have the VIP with an 80 watt Solar roof panel, It has kept our battery at 13. 7 volts al through the winter, which is great as we dont keep the van at home so no mains hook up for charging. Good luck with your Coachman Vision 1 Les Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLOOTOONCARAVAN Posted April 3, 2015 Author Share Posted April 3, 2015 Thats great Les. I would normally remove my battery in the winter but did not want to have to do that with my new van because it has the alarm etc. thanks for your reply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OWOMW Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 Obviously, don't put a caravan cover on it because the solar panel will stop supplying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLOOTOONCARAVAN Posted April 3, 2015 Author Share Posted April 3, 2015 Well I did think of buying a Caravan cover and getting it modified so there is a clear panel over the Solar Panel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OWOMW Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 I don't know about your panel but ours has sharp corners which feel like they could do some damage to a cover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stockcroft Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 Well I did think of buying a Caravan cover and getting it modified so there is a clear panel over the Solar Panel. I was also thinking about getting a cover for the winter - and I'm sure that I read on one of the big two cover manufacturer's websites that they have the option of putting in a window for the solar panel. But the issue with sharp corners that 'Onewheelonmywagon' mentions is a concern - possibly a bit of foam around the corners? What about the Avtec aerial - does that unscrew for winter storage - or is it's simply designed to collapse under a cover? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OWOMW Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 There won't be a problem If the panel is mounted with corner brackets like these http://www. ebay. co. uk/itm/Mounting-Brackets-for-solar-panel-install-on-motorhome-boat-caravan-/280739795498 My brackets fit at front and back of the panel and are slightly too narrow so leave the corners exposed. Pro-Tec and Specialised Covers include a raised area for going over TV aerials, although some people fit an ironing board cover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard in Tring Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 I have a Coachman 520/4 2014 model with an 80watt factory fitted solar panel. I also have a Pro tec winter cover with a clear perspecs insert. The cover is great to fit with the roll up back that Pro tec offer. I have experience no issues with sharpe corners. Lift the cover high! My van has the Sargent alarm and I run a Phantom tracking device. The van was covered up the second week in December and uncovered second week in March. I have had two winters of use with the cover and have to say I do have to change a new 100amp Banner battery. During the period above the battery was changed on two occasions. The Phantom web site does allow you to check the battery performance twice daily if required. Alternatively Phantom ring with a low battery alert. Despite the clear perspecs my experience is that it does have an effect on performance of the solar panel on short winter days. Whether things would improve if the Phantom was not 'in the loop' I don't know. Also the Avtex aerial does unscrew. Take the caravan step in the van, open the roof lite and unscrew. Can be done without a ladder on the outside. In order to avoid any 'crud' from entering I do place a small piece of duct tape over the opening. Have not been able to find a cap to fit the thread on the Avtex unit. Hope this helps. Bernard in Tring Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petejev Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 Re removing the Avtex Aerial to go under a cover, I spoke with Avtex about a temporary plug to seal the screw fixing, they admitted that they hadn't thought of that, so at the moment its a matter of taping it up. As I park my van under a willow tree the roof gets filthy when not in use so I leave my cover on as long as possible, however next week or so I am expecting a new roof cover from Protec, this has an ingenious method if fixing using elasticated velcro strips in both awning rails, i also specified a clear plastic insert for the solar panel. It will be interesting to see how this works. Pete 2019 Volvo XC60 D4 AWD Inscription. Pulling a 2016 Coachman VIP 575 fitted with Powertouch Mover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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