fixed panels or portable?

[Steve_an_Nik]

We are getting our MH soon in the new year hopefully and its a 2007 Autotrail Apache...and as usual I'm looking at what "bits an bobs" can I get that it doesn't already have and looking at solar panels as well as other things so no doubt another few threads will appear..

We will be using it quite regular as work 4 on 4 off and we go away most weekends too...
So what would be better fixed or portable... We'll prob be more "wild" than at sites..

so I welcome any advice really...

 

[Stealaway]

Fit the biggest panels that will fit on the roof and buy two big batteries. Hopefully they have given you a good amount of charch before you are even out of bed

 

[GMLS]

You will get more bang for your buck and life span with rigid roof mounted panels.Minimum 200w if budget allows but spend as much as you can on batteries first

 

[Richard n Ann]

I've got both. Started off with 150w on the roof which was plenty for our use in Spain. Now I've fitted a compressor fridge it's really handy to have one I can stand up and point south. Great for when the sun gets lower in the autumn etc but also if you happen to park in partial shade, sometimes you just have no choice.

 

[windboy]

Thinking of adding portable as no space on roof. how have you connected to existing system

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[mitzimad]

if you have the room on the roof go for fixed

 

[Richard n Ann]

Thinking of adding portable as no space on roof. how have you connected to existing system

I bought another votronic controller because the portable I wanted wasn't quite the same voltage as the roof one.
So both controllers are in parallel on the battery.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Couple of things I've noticed on mine;
The capacities of the panels don't always add up. ie when it's sunny and both panels are in the sun, only the 150w roof controller charges the battery.. The 100w portable controller must see the higher battery voltage and backs off.

However if it's not sunny and the fridge compressor kicks in they both work to keep the voltage up and the battery does not discharge. So it still works OK but won't ever charge at the full 250w.

 

[Two on Tour]

Thinking of adding portable as no space on roof. how have you connected to existing system

I have an additional 80watt semi-flexible panel on a long cable as a stand-alone extra for this time of the year when the sun is low and weak.
When we got our present MoHo, I fitted a 12v cigar socket in our external battery box and I use this to plug in the additional 80watt to the 12v system via a Victron 75/10 MPPT controller just before the cigar plug. The Victron 75/10 MPPT controller then sits in the battery box out of the weather.

 

[Live Life Now]

I've got both. Started off with 150w on the roof which was plenty for our use in Spain. Now I've fitted a compressor fridge it's really handy to have one I can stand up and point south. Great for when the sun gets lower in the autumn etc but also if you happen to park in partial shade, sometimes you just have no choice.

Hi Richard and Ann, just a thought do you have a friend, Kevin, who lives in Ramsgate, I think I met you at his wedding?

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[Guigsy]

In the summer, roof panels produce plenty of power. It's spring and autumn that portable panels are more useful. Winter in the UK, don't count on any solar output.

But also consider that roof panels generate as soon as you stop. Portable panels only work when you have the space and time to put them out. Aires don't let you 'camp'.

Finally, roof panels don't require storage.

 

[PhilMary]

Thinking of adding portable as no space on roof. how have you connected to existing system

I connected my portable direct to the leisure battery as it had it's own controller.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Hi Richard and Ann, just a thought do you have a friend, Kevin, who lives in Ramsgate, I think I met you at his wedding?

No wasn't me. I do know a Kevin but he lives in Erskine and is married

 

[Live Life Now]

How about that then, 4 nice people all who live in Derbyshire and have the same names and are MHers.
Best of wishes for 2023