Solar panels

• 1
• 2
• Page 1 of 2

hillton9

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Crossgar
Age: 67
Posts: 2910
Registered: 07 / 2013
My Motorhome: Rollerteam t-line 740
Base Vehicle: Fiat muiltijet

Subject:

Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 19.04.2022  ·  #1

Hi all how do your solar panals preform on a dull day at the weekend I had to start my engine up a couple of times on sat when it was pi...night down to top mybatts up I have two 110 watt panels is this normal I did have the dervheater and the tv on most of the day

---

0

---

Ally

Founder

Gender:
Location: Muckamore, Antrim
Age: 55
Homepage: motorhomecraic.com
Posts: 32622
Registered: 08 / 2011
My Motorhome: Lunar Roadstar 780
Base Vehicle: Fiat 2.8 JTD

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 19.04.2022  ·  #2

We had no problems.

I've said it before... diesel heaters are great if you are aware of their power consumption and use them accordingly. I wouldn't of left mine on all day and used the gas heater instead.

---

Liked by: augharan, eirebus

2

---

Albert the Talbot

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Telford/ Fermanagh
Age: 63
Posts: 1281
Registered: 08 / 2018
My Motorhome: Pilote Galaxy 92
Base Vehicle: Sprinter

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 19.04.2022  ·  #3

TV on most of the day.... I’d say that would pull them down

---

0

---

Hymer544

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Derry/Donegal
Age: 53
Posts: 573
Registered: 08 / 2013
My Motorhome: VW Crafter
Base Vehicle: VW Crafter 2.5tdi

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 19.04.2022  ·  #4

its your battery capacitry in Amp Hr that dictates your staying power. 220w solar should be decent enough. Diesel heaters should be started up from cold with main engine running though to absorb the initial startup current for the heater. If you have >200 Amp hr, then that should allow heater on at lowish setting all day. Also if you have split charge ability, that willl also allow a top up during the day if cloudy conditions prevail.

---

Liked by: augharan, sprinter

2

---

PaulH

Paid up member.

Gender:
Location: Bangor NI.
Age: 61
Homepage: thespaceplace.info
Posts: 863
Registered: 03 / 2012
My Motorhome: Thor Axis on LPG.
Base Vehicle: Ford E350 v10.

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 20.04.2022  ·  #5

I concur with the op, we've 2x100w solar and 2x100ah batteries, but it was so dull on Saturday/Sunday I had to start the engine a couple of times, never has it been so cold and dull when we've been away, usually the solar is plenty....

---

0

---

TommyS

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Co Armagh
Age: 21
Posts: 2157
Registered: 10 / 2017
My Motorhome: EuraMobil
Base Vehicle: Fiat

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 20.04.2022  ·  #6

Now Paul If you had a generator

---

Liked by: PaulH

1

---

sprinter

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Co Wicklow
Age: 93
Posts: 7701
Registered: 01 / 2015
My Motorhome: Matilda 2 Pilote 703FP Explorateur
Base Vehicle: 3ltr 318 Sprinter Automatic

Subject:

Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 20.04.2022  ·  #7

Could have had something to do with the company in general,

---

0

---

PaulH

Paid up member.

Gender:
Location: Bangor NI.
Age: 61
Homepage: thespaceplace.info
Posts: 863
Registered: 03 / 2012
My Motorhome: Thor Axis on LPG.
Base Vehicle: Ford E350 v10.

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 20.04.2022  ·  #8

Quote by TommyS

Now Paul If you had a generator

Ha ha .... The size of the Onan 1500w genny in the back of ours could power the whole meet...!!
However, noise could be an issue

---

Liked by: eirebus, sprinter

2

---

TommyS

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Co Armagh
Age: 21
Posts: 2157
Registered: 10 / 2017
My Motorhome: EuraMobil
Base Vehicle: Fiat

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 21.04.2022  ·  #9

Chicken

---

Liked by: PaulH, sprinter

2

---

panda

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Wicklow Town
Age: 59
Posts: 3057
Registered: 08 / 2014
My Motorhome: Concerto 255
Base Vehicle: Fiat Ducato 9 spd Auto

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 23.04.2022  ·  #10

Just finished installing 2 x 100ah Lithium batteries....initial signs are very good...as of 16.35pm today when pic was taken...Solar panels taking down 317 Watts...not bad for an April day Plus...I know both panels are working as I've 2 x 250 watts on van roof...

 

---

Liked by: Albert the Talbot, Ally, augharan, baguette, cowboy70, eirebus, ntg, Paul mcg, sprinter, The Rambler, TommyS

11

---

mad max

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Co Galway
Age: 98
Posts: 5550
Registered: 04 / 2013
My Motorhome:
Base Vehicle:

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 23.04.2022  ·  #11

Happy days,
Good to have the info at hand to check up on the performance

---

Liked by: panda

1

---

ntg

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Portglenone. Co Antrim
Age: 25
Posts: 3845
Registered: 04 / 2012
My Motorhome: Autotrail
Base Vehicle: Comanche

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 23.04.2022  ·  #12

Quote by panda

Just finished installing 2 x 100ah Lithium batteries....initial signs are very good...as of 16.35pm today when pic was taken...Solar panels taking down 317 Watts...not bad for an April day Plus...I know both panels are working as I've 2 x 250 watts on van roof...

 

That looks good John,all you need now if a plug and a meter and you will be able to sell lecky to fellow motorhomers.
Good luck and I hope your investment pays off well for you.

---

Liked by: panda, Paul mcg, sprinter

3

---

panda

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Wicklow Town
Age: 59
Posts: 3057
Registered: 08 / 2014
My Motorhome: Concerto 255
Base Vehicle: Fiat Ducato 9 spd Auto

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 24.04.2022  ·  #13

Lads...Went out to van to check on batteries, Controller etc.... Delighted so far...pic taken at 13.43pm today...

Controller set to Lithium...took a bit of setting up as there are a few parameters to punch in. In fairness...Worked pretty well yesterday when still on AGM setting... thrilled with it...

Might just start selling it alright Norman!....

 

---

Liked by: ntg

1

---

Paul mcg

Love's the Craic

Gender: n/a
Age: 57
Posts: 282
Registered: 08 / 2018
My Motorhome:
Base Vehicle:

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 24.04.2022  ·  #14

Your all set for the 20 years or so John

---

Liked by: panda

1

---

The Rambler

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Galway
Age: 51
Posts: 2350
Registered: 07 / 2017
My Motorhome:
Base Vehicle: Vauxhall Movano 2.5 CDTI

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 24.04.2022  ·  #15

Nice looking console John. Is that the van's controller or part of the MPPT charger?.

---

0

---

panda

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Wicklow Town
Age: 59
Posts: 3057
Registered: 08 / 2014
My Motorhome: Concerto 255
Base Vehicle: Fiat Ducato 9 spd Auto

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 24.04.2022  ·  #16

Quote by The Rambler

Nice looking console John. Is that the van's controller or part of the MPPT charger?.

Its the MPPT Controller Jason....Its like a 10inch tablet with a massive heatsink attached!

---

Liked by: The Rambler

1

---

sprinter

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Co Wicklow
Age: 93
Posts: 7701
Registered: 01 / 2015
My Motorhome: Matilda 2 Pilote 703FP Explorateur
Base Vehicle: 3ltr 318 Sprinter Automatic

Subject:

Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 24.04.2022  ·  #17

Your van will be like an octopus, with all the blue, leads coming from it.

---

Liked by: panda

1

---

eirebus

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: kildare
Posts: 7586
Registered: 10 / 2011
My Motorhome: Dethleffs Advantage
Base Vehicle: Fiat 2.3

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 24.04.2022  ·  #18

Parked up here in Portumna,15 vans ,12 plugged into EHU, can't believe how many don't have solar and these aren't family vans where the kid's need their own power station for gadgets,100 w would keep any of the vans going no problem

---

Liked by: panda, sprinter

2

---

The Rambler

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Galway
Age: 51
Posts: 2350
Registered: 07 / 2017
My Motorhome:
Base Vehicle: Vauxhall Movano 2.5 CDTI

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 25.04.2022  ·  #19

If find myself plugging in in Portumna too. The EHU is metered , which means you could get off pretty lightly if you don’t use much, and there usually are unused units available in those outlets. And it saves on gas and is more convenient for cooking breakfast (better toaster and kettle). I’m having difficulty sourcing a spare 6kg Patio Gas cylinder at the moment.

Once my battery reaches end of life, I plan on replacing it with two batteries and getting an inverter installed. That would sort out the kettle and toaster. The only other gas hog would be the fridge I suppose. If I had John’s power bank above I think I would put in a compressor fridge.

---

0

---

panda

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Wicklow Town
Age: 59
Posts: 3057
Registered: 08 / 2014
My Motorhome: Concerto 255
Base Vehicle: Fiat Ducato 9 spd Auto

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 25.04.2022  ·  #20

Jason....If you need an empty 6kg cylinder I have one for ya....Only issue is I'm in Wicklow and you're in Galway
.

---

Liked by: sprinter

1

---

sprinter

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Co Wicklow
Age: 93
Posts: 7701
Registered: 01 / 2015
My Motorhome: Matilda 2 Pilote 703FP Explorateur
Base Vehicle: 3ltr 318 Sprinter Automatic

Subject:

Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 25.04.2022  ·  #21

Quote by panda

Jason....If you need an empty 6kg cylinder I have one for ya....Only issue is I'm in Wicklow and you're in Galway
.

As good an excuse as any for coming east for a weekend,
Or the underground MHCC network.

---

0

---

panda

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Wicklow Town
Age: 59
Posts: 3057
Registered: 08 / 2014
My Motorhome: Concerto 255
Base Vehicle: Fiat Ducato 9 spd Auto

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 25.04.2022  ·  #22

I'll be in Kilkenny City this coming Bank Holiday weekend.....Roots Music Festival

---

0

---

The Rambler

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Galway
Age: 51
Posts: 2350
Registered: 07 / 2017
My Motorhome:
Base Vehicle: Vauxhall Movano 2.5 CDTI

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 25.04.2022  ·  #23

I’ll most likely be Westport way myself but cheers anyway. Actually I have no problem with empty cylinders. It’s trying to get a full one is the dilemma

---

Liked by: panda, sprinter

2

---

Ally

Founder

Gender:
Location: Muckamore, Antrim
Age: 55
Homepage: motorhomecraic.com
Posts: 32622
Registered: 08 / 2011
My Motorhome: Lunar Roadstar 780
Base Vehicle: Fiat 2.8 JTD

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 25.04.2022  ·  #24

I tried to get a 6kg in Portstewart last year, no such luck.

---

0

---

sprinter

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Co Wicklow
Age: 93
Posts: 7701
Registered: 01 / 2015
My Motorhome: Matilda 2 Pilote 703FP Explorateur
Base Vehicle: 3ltr 318 Sprinter Automatic

Subject:

Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 25.04.2022  ·  #25

Quote by The Rambler

I’ll most likely be Westport way myself but cheers anyway. Actually I have no problem with empty cylinders. It’s trying to get a full one is the dilemma

Post a phot of the cylinder, I saw a load of different ones in a refill depot, but I do t know what yours is?

---

0

---

Gavster

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Newry, Co Down
Age: 45
Posts: 1001
Registered: 11 / 2016
My Motorhome: LMC Liberty 630R (LHD)
Base Vehicle: Fiat Ducato 2.5 TD

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 25.04.2022  ·  #26

Quote by Ally

I tried to get a 6kg in Portstewart last year, no such luck.

No we didn’t have any luck did we! I use one myself for the cadac and have only seen them in a specialist suppliers/fitters in Newry. Mine has just run out too.

---

Liked by: Ally

1

---

The Rambler

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Galway
Age: 51
Posts: 2350
Registered: 07 / 2017
My Motorhome:
Base Vehicle: Vauxhall Movano 2.5 CDTI

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 25.04.2022  ·  #27

Quote by sprinter

Quote by The Rambler

I’ll most likely be Westport way myself but cheers anyway. Actually I have no problem with empty cylinders. It’s trying to get a full one is the dilemma

Post a phot of the cylinder, I saw a load of different ones in a refill depot, but I do t know what yours is?

 

---

Liked by: sprinter

1

---

sprinter

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Co Wicklow
Age: 93
Posts: 7701
Registered: 01 / 2015
My Motorhome: Matilda 2 Pilote 703FP Explorateur
Base Vehicle: 3ltr 318 Sprinter Automatic

Subject:

Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 25.04.2022  ·  #28

Quote by The Rambler

Quote by sprinter

Quote by The Rambler

I’ll most likely be Westport way myself but cheers anyway. Actually I have no problem with empty cylinders. It’s trying to get a full one is the dilemma

Post a phot of the cylinder, I saw a load of different ones in a refill depot, but I do t know what yours is?

 

I'll check with the guy's when I get home, before next weekend.

---

Liked by: The Rambler

1

---

lapsed

Love's the Craic

Gender: n/a
Age: 77
Posts: 206
Registered: 05 / 2022

Subject:

Brand new.

 ·  Posted: 23.05.2022  ·  #29

Evening all. New member here. And new to Motorhoming as well. So can any of you kind people recommend a good solar panel set up ?

Thanks.

Lapsed.

---

Liked by: sprinter

1

---

panda

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Wicklow Town
Age: 59
Posts: 3057
Registered: 08 / 2014
My Motorhome: Concerto 255
Base Vehicle: Fiat Ducato 9 spd Auto

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 24.05.2022  ·  #30

Hi lapsed....Depends what your power requirements are going to be....will you being using a high power inverter for instance or power hungry diesel heaters can sap your batteries pretty quick in cold dark winter months...thats when larger panels really come into play ....A good MPPT Controller to suit the panel and leisure batteries will be needed also. Rexel Energy...a sister company of Kellihers Electrical has a good range of solar panels...my brother in law recently got a 360w monocrystal8ne panel for 150e. A lot of people find a 100w panel is all they need. Do you have the available roof space to mount the panel?

---

Liked by: ntg, Paul mcg, sprinter

3

---

lapsed

Love's the Craic

Gender: n/a
Age: 77
Posts: 206
Registered: 05 / 2022

Subject:

Thanks.

 ·  Posted: 24.05.2022  ·  #31

Great. At that price I can go for the unit you mentioned. Is that Kellehers in Cork btw ?

Thanks.

---

0

---

panda

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Wicklow Town
Age: 59
Posts: 3057
Registered: 08 / 2014
My Motorhome: Concerto 255
Base Vehicle: Fiat Ducato 9 spd Auto

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 24.05.2022  ·  #32

Yes...they have outlets around Ireland...

---

Liked by: lapsed

1

---

baguette

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Cork
Age: 73
Posts: 2929
Registered: 11 / 2011
My Motorhome: Rapido 963F
Base Vehicle: Ducato 2.8 JTD Power

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 24.05.2022  ·  #33

The other component is the battery, like the 350w solar panel for €150 from a non 'leisure products' seller here is a money-saving battery option.
See this thread on Boards CLICK HERE by a person who fitted a 10kWh 16-piece pack of LifePO4 which cost €1162 to provide a 48v supply to an inverter in a house solar system.
Looking at the project and thinking of a 4-piece pack to provide a 12v supply for a motorhome, getting the same units would provide a 200ah pack for just €437 SEE HERE
A separate BMS would also be required and a 12v version of the one used by the above would cost an additional €130 for a 120 amp unit CLICK HERE

Adding on the cost of a pack of bus bars and other incidentals should provide a 12v 200ah pack for less than €600, less than 40% of what you would pay for a similar setup buying from a 'leisure' products retailer.

---

Liked by: Ally, glastry, panda

3

---

Hymer544

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Derry/Donegal
Age: 53
Posts: 573
Registered: 08 / 2013
My Motorhome: VW Crafter
Base Vehicle: VW Crafter 2.5tdi

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 24.05.2022  ·  #34

I got a 320W panel from https://solartricity.ie/products/solar-pv-panels/
They are on M50 and I collected from them. Amazon/Ebay will be best deal for a charge controller, it must be MPPT and not PWM controller. Eg https://eur.vevor.com/mppt-sol…I-fvD_BwEa

---

Liked by: Ally, glastry, jacktherev, panda, sprinter

5

---

baguette

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Cork
Age: 73
Posts: 2929
Registered: 11 / 2011
My Motorhome: Rapido 963F
Base Vehicle: Ducato 2.8 JTD Power

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 16.11.2022  ·  #35

Stats below from my sons house system (mounted on a South facing pitched roof) today, a typical motorhome 200w (0.2kw), which would be mounted flat, wouldn't be worth much.

Solar in Winter on a good day. 8am-3.30pm and max out at 1400w on a 2.5kw system. Yield a whole 7.4kWh (€2)!!!

---

Liked by: Ally, eirebus, sprinter

3

---

eirebus

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: kildare
Posts: 7586
Registered: 10 / 2011
My Motorhome: Dethleffs Advantage
Base Vehicle: Fiat 2.3

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 17.11.2022  ·  #36

Quote by baguette

Solar in Winter on a good day. 8am-3.30pm and max out at 1400w on a 2.5kw system. Yield a whole 7.4kWh (€2)!!!

How would that compare to a good June day, I've been looking at fitting a system but I don't think it's worth it other than for environmental reasons ( your doing your bit for the planet ) .

---

0

---

Ally

Founder

Gender:
Location: Muckamore, Antrim
Age: 55
Homepage: motorhomecraic.com
Posts: 32622
Registered: 08 / 2011
My Motorhome: Lunar Roadstar 780
Base Vehicle: Fiat 2.8 JTD

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 17.11.2022  ·  #37

Quote by eirebus

but I don't think it's worth it other than for environmental reasons ( your doing your bit for the planet ) .

wrong

So much benefit for the right system.

---

0

---

The Rambler

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Galway
Age: 51
Posts: 2350
Registered: 07 / 2017
My Motorhome:
Base Vehicle: Vauxhall Movano 2.5 CDTI

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 17.11.2022  ·  #38

Quote by eirebus

Quote by baguette

Solar in Winter on a good day. 8am-3.30pm and max out at 1400w on a 2.5kw system. Yield a whole 7.4kWh (€2)!!!

How would that compare to a good June day, I've been looking at fitting a system but I don't think it's worth it other than for environmental reasons ( your doing your bit for the planet ) .

You need to look up 'Solar Irradiance' for your location and time of year to get an idea on averages. I have measured current through a solar PV in summer, pointed directly at the sun at 6 or 7 amps. It could drop to less than 0.2 amp if I tilted it flat (such as lying flat on the roof of your van). But that's anecdotal I know. There are plenty of solar irradiance calculators on line to give you a bit of an idea.

From this one we get

 

I specified Shannon as my location. As you can see, solar irradiance peaks in May. The values you see there, 4.64 kWh/m2/day, tells you that for a single square meter of panel, which is about a 100 watt panel, you should expect 4.64 kWh per day, on average. It is little tricky to interpret what is going on with the angles on that site but that figure I reckon, refers to the panel pointed directly at the sun. You could be forgiven for thinking it meant the panel mounted flat, as campervan panels do, but no, it is pointed at the sun. You can click different angles and the numbers change, but 4.64 is the highest number possible, so must refer to 90 degrees with the sun.

Regardless of what angle your panel faces though, the difference between peak irradiance in May and in December when it is lowest is over 8 fold!

---

0

---

baguette

Eat's Sleep's craic

Gender:
Location: Cork
Age: 73
Posts: 2929
Registered: 11 / 2011
My Motorhome: Rapido 963F
Base Vehicle: Ducato 2.8 JTD Power

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 02.02.2024  ·  #39

Here's a real life example of what can be expected.
2X100 watt panels in La Manga at solar noon today with 100% clear sky.
Sum Volt is the battery voltage, current and power are what's going into the battery from the solar. So about 43% of the max rated output of the panels

 

---

Liked by: eirebus, Paul mcg, sprinter

3

---

petereire

Craic Addict

Gender:
Location: Ardee
Age: 56
Posts: 352
Registered: 05 / 2020
My Motorhome: autoquest 270
Base Vehicle: Talbot express

Subject:

Re: Solar panels

 ·  Posted: 02.02.2024  ·  #40

You are not too far away from me so I'm in Tortuga mora nearCalabardina

---

Liked by: sprinter

1

---

• 1
• 2
• Page 1 of 2