Search the Community

I will be fitting a couple of panels shortly and am thinking of the best method. I will be using the semi flexible for the weight advantage. Options Silkaflex. Strong, perhaps too strong, will it provide enough stress movement, difficult if needing to remove. _______ Adhesive foam, good grip, could be cut off, would allow movement, bit messy to apply neatly. _______ Corner brackets. http://www. ebay. co. uk/itm/NEW-6-x-Corner-Bracket-Set-Semi-Flexible-Solar-Panel-Mounting-Kit-Easy-to-Fit-/401079878899?hash=item5d623944f3:g:JiEAAOSweW5VYj1Y _______ And a new thought. Mount on top of thin hollow polycarbonate sheet. http://www. midlandplastics. co. uk/shop/polycarbonate-roofing/twinwall-roofing/ Only 4mm thick, allow for movement and removal, provides some ventilation underneath. Could use plastic edging strip to fix and tidy up. Any thoughts John

Has anyone had a solar panel fitted to a Swift Freestyle S2? Is there enough roof space?

Hi guys. Hoping someone can help. Currently in new forest on a basic site, and it looks like the solar charge controller has failed. Does anyone know of a supplier in the general area, that I can get a replacement unit. Need it ASAP thanks in advance

Does anyone know if its viable to keep very low heating on run by a solar panel to keep the damp off while not using the caravan over winter. I have a great solid fuel stove while I'm in the caravan but I plan to go away for several months this winter and wondered if there was any heating that would stop everything in my caravan getting very damp. Thanks

Interested to find out the effects of the Alde circulation pump on the state of a caravan battery when using the heating off grid. Is there a high current draw by the pump? Obviously gas is providing the energy for the heat but the pump runs off the battery.

Our Eriba/Hymer caravan has a Schaudt CSV 413 controller for charging the batter from the mains and no doubt other wonderful things as well. There is a 3 pin connector for solar input. Internet searches turn up a lot about the Electroblok for Motor Homes and how to fit an additional charge controller to integrate but I can't find anything in English about integrating a solar panel with this control system. Has anyone come across this controller and sourced the extra bits?

I have moved my caravan to a secure storage site. I have a Phantom tracker alarm and although I can switch off the motion sensor the satellite signal remains live and gradually drains the battery. There is no electric hookup in the storage area, so the obvious solution would be a solar panel to keep the battery topped up. I would love some suggestions and hints from members who have solved this problem.

New last February we spent 3 weeks away and had 5 days of heavy rain and cloud cover. Spent all of those five days off grid and the 100W solar panel kept us well served using lights and TV every night. Recently during a week away off grid in bright sunshine our power was getting down to close to 12v. Parked up at home on mains power for two days and many days of summer sun the battery still only shows just over 13v and won't go any higher. Sargent regulator shows float charge steady green and panel output flashing green with some amp going in at the control panel. Any suggestions please. Battery was "new" with the van in Feb but I guess that's not really an indication of how "new" it was.

Evening guys, Ok. .......bought our caravan (new ) in July, used it until end of Oct. We have it in Storage for winter. As manuals says (or this is how I have read it) we have turned the master switch off (under the bed). We have a solar panel fitted but just done a check on swift command and its saying the voltage is at 4. 5. Is that the battery ***** and were we supposed to leave the master switch on for the solar panel to effectively trickle charge over the winter. The battery is an AGM 110 if this makes any difference? Sorry for the daft questions

We're just about to take delivery of our new caravan and found that most insurance companies want a tracker fitted to give a sensible quote. The caravan is in outdoor secure storage over winter with limited access by us, so it seems like we need some kind of solar solution to keep the leisure battery topped up. The tracker is, I've been told, ultra low power consumption, so there shouldn't be a great deal of actual power draw. I was wondering if anyone had any experience of a solution for this?

I am looking for a wiring diagram on how to fit a solar panel. This would include fittment to the roof and all subsequent sealing and wiring in. Can any member be able to supply some links to carry out this undertaking? Many thanks. Tony1952

I'm still researching which set-up to buy for our little caravan. (Currently all armchair research due to a prolonged flu bug, but looking forward to making this reality soon!) It'll have to be a folding panel, as it's a pop-top caravan, so the roof moves up & down by a distance each time we set up & take down, so not good for installed wiring! I'm currently thinking of probably between 60 & 100W. I've had a recommendation for this company. http://www. photonicuniverse. com/en/catalog/list/category/folding-solar-kits I'll be grateful for any up-to-date experience you've had with this lot, or with similar, please. If we were hunting a musical instrument we'd know what to look for, what to avoid, but lack the relevant experience to judge well here, and there are lots of attractive looking things on sale. ..! Thanks for any help here Richard

We're new to caravans, have a 17 yr old caravan we've used for one lovely expedition, and are keen to move more off-grid with solar. We're not going to be watching TV, but the occasional bit of food equipment being plugged in would be good, likewise re-charging camera and tablet batteries, and lights that don't fade after a while seem a great bonus. Problem 1: I'm terrifyingly ignorant of all things electrical. (Not exaggerating here, though willing to learn. Slowly.) I've done a certain amount of reading research here and elsewhere on the web, but it quickly goes over my ignorance threshold, and so loses me. So we'll have to pay someone to install things safely, but I want to know about what they're installing, and understand about it, before I get taken for a ride with inappropriate equipment. And who knows, I may end up understanding more about electricity eventually. Whatever it is, panel(s) will have to be free-standing, as it's a pop-top, and wiring through the roof seems most unsuited to a roof which moves up and down around 30 cm each time we set up or pack up! Idiot question (i): Our van has, like most, I guess, circuitry from the battery which powers the lights and and water pumps. As I understand it, other circuits supply the power sockets which can at present only be used when on EHU. So I don't yet understand how the solar charged battery can be used for other stuff. If you're using solar panels for anything more than re-charging the battery for lights & water pumps, do you have to re-wire the whole thing? Or does the power from the panel, once it's been through an inverter, somehow get diverted straight into the van's power socket circuit? (Remembering I am a jargon-free zone of incomprehension here!) (ii) Quite a few accounts mention using a second battery. Our wee van only allows a relatively small payload, and small storage space, and I can see that eating up a huge amount of it. Are two leisure batteries an essential requirement? Warning, there may be other questions to follow. Thank you greatly for your patience. Either explanations here, or pointing me at a source of suitably dummed-down information would be very welcome. Thanks mightily, Richard

Hi all, I'm a relative newbie to caravanning having only bought my first van last summer. I fitted a 150w solar panel last September after running the battery flat on a couple of outings. The solar panel appeared to be working great, but after the winter lay up my van battery is now completely flat. I'm pretty sure the master power switch was set to off over winter, though I'm starting to doubt myself! I know the alarm draws power even though master switch is off but I'd have thought the solar panel would easily offset this? I'll try recharging the battery with a mains charger but if anyone has any ideas why the battery would have run flat over winter that would be really helpful. Thanks!!!

Just found this on t'interweb. It's an excellent description of solar panels, charging and controllers . https://www. youtube. com/watch?v=KPZhtGLfGn4#t=381. 20088 The same firm has a series of videos which are quite informative and demonstrate some of the queries that crop up

Hi all, how comprehensive is the solar system installed on new swifts, 80 watt panel, charge controller, smart system. Is it man enough for off grid touring? Does it need upgrading? Thanks in advance. Howard

We have an AceJubileeHerald 4 berth 2006 model. Would like to try out solar. We always go to full ehu sites. Now would like to use sites without electric. Hubby is good with his hands and would like to attempt adding solar to the van. We know nothing about it. What size panel would we need going on the fact that I use everything electric I. e. Tv radio mobile phones cleaner hair dryer iPad I am a typical woman if it runs on electric I use it Would love some advice from you as to what and where to start in attaching a solar panel to our loved van. Don't forget we are newbies to this so in simple English please lol Thanks Sian

Hi Guys, I',m new to the forum so forgive my first post. ....;-) Can any of you help me in recommending a good quality solar panel charging kit. What types are best mono or poly. i have been told the Photosonic range is good. I have been advised minimum 100 watts. I am going to site next year on a non electric pitch so will need a good panel to charge phones and tablets and maybe run a TV as well. We are a family of five and the wife and 3 kids love their tablets etc. Any advice would be much appreciated Thanks Guys much appreciated

deleted due to duplication

Hello, Is it possible to power a fridge by solar panel? I live in Malta where the sun is almost always shining throughout the whole year. I've just installed a 280W mono solar panel, a 30A MPPT solar charge controller Tracer series, a remote meter for MPPT Tracer controller. .. but I'm still contemplating on what battery AH power to go for. Any suggestions? A friend suggested up to 300AH could be easily kept charged with my setup. The problem is, a 230AH Banner battery can weigh over 60kilos while I haven't located a decent Gel or AGM battery supplier on the island. Optima make great AGM's available locally but they only produce 75AH max. One more thing that being no expert in electrics I'd like to ask. .. could it be possible for the fridge to be powered by solar? I have a Bailey Pageant Champagne 2005 and the fridge is one of those Thetfords. I live on an island where there's only 2 caravan sites providing EHU with no seaviews, so some go on their own power to other unofficial spots with more views. So everyone likes to find his secret place to camp. Thanks for all comments and tips.

As a fan of the newer type of lightweight semi-flexible solar panels, the only downside to myself is the problem of sticking the whole unit to the caravan roof. This really puts me off. The weight savings of these panels are not to be ignored though, they are so much lighter than framed glass panels. So, when looking around ebay at various semi-flexible panels I found these handy new mounting brackets. Obviously I have not tried them, but they look like a really good solution to fitting these lighter panels IMHO. http://www. ebay. co. uk/itm/NEW-6-x-Corner-Bracket-Set-Semi-Flexible-Solar-Panel-Mounting-Kit-Easy-to-Fit-/252014745202?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3aad3fd672

Hi all, After receiving some much needed advice from user - BeeJay (many thanks) - I have installed a battery and Solar panel in my 2003 Hobby Prestige 560 caravan. I thought I would share the pictures, short discription and wiring diagram for anyone else who would find it useful. I have a 7 pin plug to my vehicle as the 13 pin plug had been replaced so I could not run the 12v electrics from my vehicle when on the move. I required a 12v supply as we attend several music festival every year and they charge a fortune for electrical hook up. I decided last year with my Elddis hurricane to invest in a good cheap solar panel to keep the battery topped up for phones, showers and lighting. After buying a 2003 hobby prestige 560 this year for the extra room I was sure I could instal a battery and my solar panel to ensure i get the most from my caravan. I do not require to charge the battery from the mains hook up as the solar panel will be fixed and control the charging of the battery Here is how I done it. .. Shopping list 110Ah Leisure battery - go outdoors - £74. 99 80w Solar Panel and 10A control Panel - ebay - £89. 99(last year) red and brown roll of 27amp cable - Halfords - £ 7. 78 mixed box splice connectors - £3. 89 positive and negative battery terminals - Halfords - £7. 98 total cost - £184. 63 I disconnected the mains hook up and opened the main electrical box to see the incoming wires. I sourced the 12v cable going to main electrical board from the car hook up cable. The wires were the thick red+ and white- wires I opened the 12v distribution box under the fixed bed at the front of the caravan. I connected a splice connector to each wire with a length of 27amp wire and connected the to the battery - red to red (positive) and white to brown (negative) I attached the crocodile clips for the solar panel from the control box to the battery and that was it. it took me about an hour to figure it all out and complete the job. It was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be and I am no electrition. I am in the process of making a battery box in work and intend to vent it through the floor and place it under the fixed bed beside the 12v distribution board. I intend to tidy up the wiring from the photo's and put them on the bed sides to keep them off the floor as the water heater is under the bed also and the seals blew in the vents the first time I used it. This flooded under the bed so I think keeping everything sealed and off the floor is for the best. If any one has any comments advice or would like any advice please feel free to comment. 2003 Hobby Prestige 560 Wiring Diagram with mods Solar Panel 10A Control box

My spanking new solar project Hello fellow ‘leccy geeks, I’ve been working through the design for a new electrical energy system for my ‘van and I would welcome your input. My high level requirements are: ‘van has solar off grid ‘van has 230v mains off grid Leisure battery is charged optimally i. e. as quickly as safely possible Mains supply automatically switches between EHU / genset (Hyundai HY3000SEI) EHU supply is supported when loads exceed site circuit breaker Inverted mains does not supply Alde heating system Solar solution capacity balanced between summer and winter caravanning (based on 50AH per day usage) All relevant electrical regulations are strictly adhered to Implementation has zero effect on ‘van warranty So find my solution attached and described below: system schematic - overall system schematic Victron multiplus inverter accepts one mains input and, when connected, supplies both ac out and inv out. If the mains supply is lost (or never there) supplies inverted mains to inv out only i. e. alde heating never powered by battery. Multiplus has 6-stage 50A battery smart charger, operational when mains supply is available All caravan mains circuits are RCD protected – inverter neutral tied to battery return & chassis. Genset connected via new standard blue socket (fixed fitting) Ve. net panel displays all standard battery usage data (e. g. AH remaining, current etc), can be used to configure the inverter and has output to PC for data analysis Multiplus has programmable relay that I hope will allow me to automatically start the genset on low battery voltage solar physical – physical layout of the solar solution 6 x flexible 100W panels provides around 42AH per day during winter – not enough to cover usage but a design balance to ensure generator is used optimally and panel voltage can be split equally Panels positioned to maximise summer (roof) and winter (side) sun MPPT controller used to maximise efficiency for British weather and winter caravanning Large combined cable (6mm2) to minimise losses to controller and onwards to battery Existing TV antenna used as entry point if possible, if not, sealed roof entry gland used. solar schematic – electrical diagram of panel connections Panels wired half in series to increase voltage without increasing current, minimising heat effect losses then in parallel to stay within system voltage specification of MPPT controller i. e. 75vdcI haven’t worked out the full cost yet but it’s likely to be in the order of £2,500. All work will be carried out by me and certified by a qualified electrician (my brother!).

I'm thinking of permanently fixing my 80w metal framed solar panel to the roof of my caravan. (I currently have it on suckers and place it on the roof when I arrive on site and put the cable through the skylight). I'm intending to use a corner bracket set such as this: www. ebay. co. uk/itm/261829687314 Since it's a rectangular panel I may also add side brackets such as these: www. ebay. co. uk/itm/301224863428 The cable will be fed through a cable gland such as this: www. ebay. co. uk/itm/311274148389 I'm intending to glue the brackets and cable gland to the roof using Sikaflex 512. My questions are: (1) Will a 300ml tube be enough to stick those 6 brackets, and the cable gland? (2) I've seen reference to cleaning the roof with white spirit or meths, and sanding the surface to get good adhesion. But I've also read that some people have used Sikaflex Primer as well to get a strong bond. And Sikaflex Primer is £40 a bottle! I'm a bit confused if that's necessary? Also any other tips to make sure I get a good permanent bond would be appreciated. I don't want it coming off on the motorway! Thanks

Hi guys, im new to the caravanning lark, but myself and my partner love camping so this is to just add a bit of comfort. OK, I have just bought a 40w solar panel to charge a 110ah leisure battery. ... to go with it i bought a cheap ebay solar charge controller 10amp (CMP12).....(http://www. elvet. co. rs/Solarni%20kontroler%203%20%20KEMO. pdf) Now the only thing were going to run is lighting which is mostly LED, water pump and a dvd player and occasionally charge the laptops with a 500w inverter. .... My caravan is old, it doesnt come with a battery charger when on electric hook up. So if i wanted to wire up a small say 1-2 amp trickle charger just to back up the solar panel to keep us up and running, maybe something like this > http://www. ebay. co. uk/itm/271675515594?_trksid=p2060778. m2749. l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Could i wire this in parallel to the solar panel, straight into the solar controller to utillise the controllers cut off when the battery is full and always having a small charge available even at night etc? As far as i can see, im not loading up the controller as its 10 amp rating, and the charger is 1. 3 amp, solar panel 40w so maximum ampage will be 2-3 amps, so combined less than 5 amps. .. Any help or advice appreciated, were students so doing this on a very tight budget. ....