100w solar panel!

[Leakylunar]

I’ve got Sargent ec325 control panel that has a built in solar power controller. but 100w max so my question is will that be sufficient to keep battery topped up.
There will be fridge on other than that a few lights or usb charging points.
If general opinion is yes I’ll be getting a good quality semi flexible one for the pop top.

 

[Leakylunar]

Well ordered first part of my solar kit,
Victron smart solar 100/20
Should be here by Friday/Saturday
Now hopefully next week sort some flexible panels when everyone is open after Christmas.

 

[Raul]

Congratulation on your fine choice with the victron controller. Now to complement that, I recommend you a hibrid Panasonic panel. Even a 330w that controller WILL handle it without a sweat. The controller knows to throttle back if more PV is fitted, the advantage is in poor isolation, week sun. Besides, flat on the roof you will never ever see the full name plate pumping in. Maybe few brief moments in a hole year , if conditions are right. What you want is a panel that degrades the least( no amorphous, no Flexi), high eficiency, and low temperature degrading. When they get hot, they don’t produce as much. The best in these class is the hybrid. Do your home work, don’t take it from me for granted. As for the battery, if budget don’t allow for Lithium, I recommend a good SLA truck battery. The size? It depends on your charging capacity. Pb wants a10% charge rate of its total capacity. Ex a 120ah batt. Will need at least 12a charging. Of course with solar we can’t guarantee that, and ever so often you want to help that charged with the ehu or a B2B.
Lots of folk make the mistake by going big reserve, without having enough charging. If you off grid 4-5 days, a 300-400w of solar is a must. Any less will ruin your battery life. Of course is all down to individual consumption, but most of us we got, fridge, pump, lights, vent fans, heating fans etc. Most of time all this gets overlooked and we run our battery's in deficit.
A good design CAN last the life of the van, less the battery type. LiFePo4 can last as long as your van.

 

[Leakylunar]

I have pop top(sideways) so looking at flexible(cigs) panels not only is it a pop top but black as well!
Looking for around 180-220 watts total only one battery max 120ah due to Sargent unit.
Only led lighting and fridge no tv or heating unless first thing in a morning
(Diesel).
Also because it’s a Sargent unit can only use lead acid battery due to high charge rate when we are on ehu.

 

[Raul]

If needs must and you got to have a flexible panel or two, at least go for a panel with sun power cells. There is the sun power themselves, a bit pricy, and there is a company, “ titan energy” that uses sun power cells on their panels.
Amorphous are yesterday’s technology with very high degrading rate. Would stay clear of those.
Midsummer have some sun power 50w on sale, they are top notch quality . You could fit 6 of those with ease.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Leakylunar]

Yes a little out of my price range 170w £499!
Plenty of places seem to sell them,
200w at photonics around £450

 

[Raul]

The midsummer have the 50w for 46 quid delivered.

 

[Leakylunar]

Sunpower 50w £180!
Or am I looking at the wrong ones, plus don’t fancy connecting 4 panels!

 

[Raul]

Like I said, if sunpower themselfs are to much for you, then, there are alternatives, with sunpower cells. The ones with no buss wires on top of the cell. Look at titan energy.

 

[Leakylunar]

Thanks

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Jaws]

Just read I can add a second battery close to the old old one so long as it’s clamped in then using correct gauge of cable connected to my old battery( both will be new) rang Sargent this morning 120ah is maximum I can use

Yerrrr.. I have 3 X 110aH batteries on my Sargent 325 system
I have been using three batteries for more than 5 years without issue

 

[Leakylunar]

Are your batteries wired directly to the Sargent box?
I was told by Sargent to get no bigger than 130ah battery.