Self build on a budget. Solar panels???

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IndieandMeera

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Van Conversion
Hey! We're converting a Mercedes Sprinter to live in, under time pressure and on a budget and we are very new to all of it. Does anyone have any recommendations for solar panels that will do the job but also not break the bank? Or could anyone give us any pointers as to what to keep an eye out for while browsing online? Like what do I need to make sure it says in the description of the solar panels?
 
Hi & welcome

I bought 2 of these
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from Hi-tech solar in Harlow ,Essex.Off top of my head at the time I think they were £140 the pair.
Run thorugh a victron 75/15 to leisure battery
 
IndeandMeera said:
Hey! We're converting a Mercedes Sprinter to live in, under time pressure and on a budget and we are very new to all of it. Does anyone have any recommendations for solar panels that will do the job but also not break the bank? Or could anyone give us any pointers as to what to keep an eye out for while browsing online? Like what do I need to make sure it says in the description of the solar panels?
Click to expand...
see greg virgoe videos, he has a belting sprinter conversion, explains his full electrics and solar etc in detail.
Will give you a good start
 
I used these..................................https://www.photonicuniverse.com/en/catalog/full/186-100W-dual-battery-solar-kit-for-camper--boat-with-10A-dual-battery-controller-and-5m-cable.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwjuqDBhAGEiwAdX2cj5x-1XqxUT-jzjwu33-SHSG8649KkHTBihABJqORBDq0vUGjWvzNyBoCka0QAvD_BwE
 
Thank you for your responses!
We have another follow up question that may be a silly one... If we get a solar pannel kit that comes with a battery wich is 12v and 20ah is that good enough? Or, if we get a different leisure battery with a higher ah, and wire that one instead, would it be compatible?

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You need to assess what capacity (Ah) for your needs by thinking what loads you are going to place on the battery.
Very exciting
 
For reference a 20ah battery would be enough for minimal led lighting and phone charging. Very little.
 
You need to really sit down and work out what your going to be using in the way of power daily with your lighting, heating, radio, phone and laptop charging and other gadgets your likely to use, and add in some extra for running things like your water pump, loo flush and the likes. Once you have done that then you will have some idea of what size battery you require and the solar to charged it.

If as you say, you planning to live in your van, then your battery usage to run your day to day needs is going to require ideally a minimum of 200Ah battery capacity and come the winter months you may well even struggle to get by with that and 400Ah would be nearer the mark. The same goes with your solar panels, in that you will need enough solar to charge your batteries in the winter months with the shorter low sun days and days when the weather is bad.

If you intend to stay on sites with 240v hookup, then your need for solar and larger batteries is obviously a lot less.
 
Bimble solar has been my go-to for my last two vans and a narrowboat. They have some excellent quality used (euro/american) insurance write off panels at very competitive prices. Regards Andy.
 
If on a budget I would seriously consider a battery to battery charger over solar panels. You can always drive but the sun doesn't always shine. Especially in England. 🌧️⛈️

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Looks like they got their answer, two posts then not seen for a month and a half. 🥴
 

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