Solar power newbie

[Gingernuts]

So I’ve had the Gaslow double bottle system fitted, Possl 2win pvc,now to the solar.
I’m fitting a Fiamma roof rack and want to fit my solar panels to it.
I DONT HAVE OR WANT LITHIUM
I have 2x exide gel batteries new under the passenger seat.
Can anyone recommend where to buy the panels, what type do I need. I guess I need a controller and cables too? Will I need a shunt and meters to read what I’m harvesting and using?
Alex

 

[Lenny HB]

Photonic Universe panels have a good rep but are expensive, Renogy get good reports but they are only a Chinese drop shipper. Even the cheaper panels work well just a few percent down on output and frames a bit lighter, depending on your use and how much you want to spend.

Victon Blue Smart controllers are among the best and will tell you the solar harvest, a Sunt will tell you the state of your batteries which to me is more important.
Votronic controllers are very good (I use one) a bit cheaper but won't tell you the harvest.

 

[MisterB]

i would look at domestic panels not leisure vehicle panels. depending on finances you can pick up some very efficient and smaller footprint domestic panels. i would even consider pre used domestic panels if budget was tight, they would still perform 'ok' for probably the lifetime of your vehicle ..

 

[Gingernuts]

Photonic Universe panels have a good rep but are expensive, Renogy get good reports but they are only a Chinese drop shipper. Even the cheaper panels work well just a few percent down on output and frames a bit lighter, depending on your use and how much you want to spend.

Victon Blue Smart controllers are among the best and will tell you the solar harvest, a Sunt will tell you the state of your batteries which to me is more important.
Votronic controllers are very good (I use one) a bit cheaper but won't tell you the harvest.

Thank you Lenny

 

[Gingernuts]

Photonic Universe panels have a good rep but are expensive, Renogy get good reports but they are only a Chinese drop shipper. Even the cheaper panels work well just a few percent down on output and frames a bit lighter, depending on your use and how much you want to spend.

Victon Blue Smart controllers are among the best and will tell you the solar harvest, a Sunt will tell you the state of your batteries which to me is more important.
Votronic controllers are very good (I use one) a bit cheaper but won't tell you the harvest.

I just want 4/5 days without hook up, no heavy users no Sat tv or anything just want to keep the hab batts charged ( 2 x 90ah exide gels) and have heating on (gas truma) in the colder months when touring Morroco or Portugal
How many panels, what wattage would you suggest Lenny

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[headlight]

I just want 4/5 days without hook up, no heavy users no Sat tv or anything just want to keep the hab batts charged ( 2 x 90ah exide gels) and have heating on (gas truma) in the colder months when touring Morroco or Portugal
How many panels, what wattage would you suggest Lenny

How much does your heating blower fan use as that sounds like your heaviest electrical drain ?

 

[Gingernuts]

Haven’t a scooby, will check it out when I finish work tonight

 

[Barti Ddu]

Victon Blue Smart controllers are among the best and will tell you the solar harvest

To avoid confusion - Counterintuitively, it is the Victron SmartSolar controller range, rather than the BlueSolar range that includes the Bluetooth connection to the Victron app to monitor your solar harvest on your phone. And very good they are too.

 

[Gingernuts]

To avoid confusion - Counterintuitively, it is the Victron SmartSolar controller range, rather than the BlueSolar range that includes the Bluetooth connection to the Victron app to monitor your solar harvest on your phone. And very good they are too.

Hi would rather not have an app but have a meter/ gauge/display as primary notification and an app if I had too!

 

[Barti Ddu]

Hi would rather not have an app but have a meter/ gauge/display as primary notification

The Victron app is superb. At home, in the winter I can check the charge and voltage on the van leisure battery whilst sat on the sofa in the living room with the van on the drive. I'm thinking of fitting a Victron BatterySense onto the starter battery too so I can keep an eye on that as well. It's also interesting, (but perhaps a bit nerdy) to be able to view the history and trends going back several months.