Solar panel on shed roof to keep motorhome batteries maintained (1 Viewer)

[Spade]

Hi all.
I'm looking at the feasibility and cost of putting a solar panel on the roof of my shed where my camper is stored to keep the batteries maintained rather than using EHU.
I have solar and a controller in the camper.
I would do the installation myself so it's just balancing the cost of panel, mountings, wireing and connection items pricewise,
Is the idea a waste of money?

 

[Raul]

Hi all.
I'm looking at the feasibility and cost of putting a solar panel on the roof of my shed where my camper is stored to keep the batteries maintained rather than using EHU.
I have solar and a controller in the camper.
I would do the installation myself so it's just balancing the cost of panel, mountings, wireing and connection items pricewise,
Is the idea a waste of money?

If mains are available a small 2A trickle charger it’s best choice cost wise.

 

[LithiumConvert]

If you have, or can get, EHU in the shed, then I would go for that.

The charger in the Dethleffs should be your best bit for maintaing the batteries.

You must have more sun than we have got to even think about solar.

 

[dunnah01]

If your shed roof is big enough why not make it a domestic solar setup and run EHU of it? I did a DIY 4kW setup for under £1500 and it's already paid for itself

 

[SUGGY]

I fitted a small 2 ft x 2ft panel on my garage roof .it charges the car and my motor bikes . I found the trickle chargers dried the batteries up .the batteries only lasting 2 years on the bike if I was lucky. Mains chargers are pulsating DC Solar is pure DC . Same reason I rarely use the on board mh chargers .my leisure batteries are 8 years old still going strong .

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[busbuddy]

Why does the solar fitted to the van not maintain the battery

 

[Gaston aires]

Why does the solar fitted to the van not maintain the battery

Probably because it’s kept inside.

 

[busbuddy]

Got ya
I read it as the shed was just at the same place the van was

 

[seasideBill]

You must have more sun than we have got to even think about solar.

I’m not convinced of that, obviously sunlight is ideal, but all you need for a solar panel is visible daylight. Even in the gloom of winter, a good quality solar panel located in an open aspect will maintain a trickle charge. Hasn’t let me down in 10+ years

 

[newtonz]

If your shed roof is big enough why not make it a domestic solar setup and run EHU of it? I did a DIY 4kW setup for under £1500 and it's already paid for itself

View attachment 849526View attachment 849530

Hi Dunnah01, I'm very interested in your solar setup. Do you have any more info? It's it a dual system - it looks like two inverters in the photo?
Paul is

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[dunnah01]

Hi Dunnah01, I'm very interested in your solar setup. Do you have any more info? It's it a dual system - it looks like two inverters in the photo?
Paul is

Yes it's a dual 2kw system although I could only fit 15 No. 260W panels on the roof so it's actually a 2.0 & 1.8kW system. this was mostly to keep the wiring sizes down between the inverters and the consumer unit. I bought the panels off Facebook for £39 each and the inverters were off ebay for £100 each. The rest was spent on isolators, armoured cable, surge protectors and a new TT earth rod system. Luckily my cousin is a tame electrician and checked over the system and commissioned it. British Gas also OKd it when they fitted a new smart meter. It is grid tied to provide a 240v supply signal. The inverters are also anti-islanding to prevent any back feed into the grid if there is a power cut. I don't have any export guarantee but currently simply divert any excess solar to a heater via a solar diverter, eventually it will go to an immersion heater to heat water for washing and central heating.

 

[Bessy765]

We keep our van in the garage the solar just keeps it topped up !!!!! ( And the house )

 

[tyronegrey]

Any tips to make it last long??? It's my 1st time using solar

 

[dalspa]

I’m not convinced of that, obviously sunlight is ideal, but all you need for a solar panel is visible daylight. Even in the gloom of winter, a good quality solar panel located in an open aspect will maintain a trickle charge. Hasn’t let me down in 10+ years

Our first van, a 2002 Hymer, sat on driveway all winter with only occasional hookup to top up batteries- no solar. We then bought a 2007 Hymer during winter and after a couple of weeks found cab battery dead. Charged up but couple of weeks later battery dead again. Had a solar panel (100/120w) fitted and over 12 years later never had a problem since. We never use motorhome in the winter but solar panel keeps batteries topped up. Best investment ever on motorhome. Obviously the 2007 van has a parasitic drain on the batteries whereas the 2002 van didn’t.