Would solar panels add anything?

[Dolmen]

Should add right away I am referring to my set up and use, I do appreciate the benefit of solar power in many situations. Set up when not on ehu, 230ah Lithium for lights, tv, pumps and fans. Gas for heating, cooking oven and hob, fridge and kettle. B2B to recharge battery. Hardly ever stay more than two nights without driving so battery frequently gets a top up, in fact complete overkill, 100ah would have been more than enough, I just wanted the ability to do a long weekend if attending a festival or rally. When van is in storage a Victron battery master keeps cab battery at 12.9v fed from lithium battery. Difficult to say because van not very often in storage, however, looking at the rate of discharge from lithium could be left for many months if required. It seems wrong not to be using free solar power (after capital input that is), however, not sure what further benefit I would get unless I invest even further on an inverter so that I could perhaps boil the kettle. Feel I am missing out on something, just not sure what. Any suggestions appreciated

 

[Guigsy]

If you're a low energy user and you move frequently enough for the B2B to keep you topped up, then stick with what you've got.

Solar is great, but it needs sunshine (duh!). I was in Norfolk in July and several vans with large solar setups were complaining they were getting next to nothing all week because the weather was so bad.

 

[Tombola]

No point really.
Unless maybe you put the fridge on leccy...cook on induction and air fryer.
But how long the payback on all the extra equipment.

No need

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

If a small user of electric juice, I would have thought a second battery might be a better option.
But what do I know.......

 

[scotjimland]

12v Compressor fridge would be a good investment.. I have one and would never have another 3 way fridge

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

 

[Riverbankannie]

I think you have your answer above, however here is another thread on the subject sort of wondering the same thing

Roof solar is just a waste of money….

Contentious, yes I know. I can almost hear the cries of derision and snorts of laughter… :) But - the firm conclusion we have come to after living in the van through four seasons on the continent, is that for any camper, roof mounted solar panels are actually near-useless and are just a waste...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Dolmen]

If a small user of electric juice, I would have thought a second battery might be a better option.
But what do I know.......

I'm actually finding the 230ah is a an overkill so not really necessary

 

[Dolmen]

12v Compressor fridge would be a good investment.. I have one and would never have another 3 way fridge

I had a compressor fridge in my last van, as you say they are great, however, big investment and messing around just to warrant putting solar panels on roof

 

[Dolmen]

I think you have your answer above, however here is another thread on the subject sort of wondering the same thing

Roof solar is just a waste of money….

Contentious, yes I know. I can almost hear the cries of derision and snorts of laughter… :) But - the firm conclusion we have come to after living in the van through four seasons on the continent, is that for any camper, roof mounted solar panels are actually near-useless and are just a waste...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Thanks for that, very interesting

 

[scotjimland]

I had a compressor fridge in my last van, as you say they are great, however, big investment and messing around just to warrant putting solar panels on roof

no need for solar, .. with your present system and how you travel you wouldn't need it..

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

 

[nicholsong]

I would always prioitise B2B over solar for frequent movers, but OP has that.

However solar could be a back-up if an emergency rendered one static for a period. For that reason I am pleased that we have it(only 80W) also we have more time now and may stay 3-4 days static.

 

[vzac]

We have solar, no inverter or lithium batteries. We have a power bank so use it in the van and the solar charges it up, when it's full we can flick a switch and it tops the leisure batteries. At home we have mobile solar panels in the garden and plug the power bank in that when at home. Not had to pay for a cup of tea or coffee for over 12 months. Was it a good investment ? Well depends on your point of view, I feel I am doing my little bit for the environment. Or government speak, offsetting my fuel use against cups of free tea

 

[Dolmen]

Thanks everyone, I have only had this set up for a couple of months in a fairly new van. It served me well on a trip to France and a recent trip to Scotland so will leave things as they are for now (in fact never seen the lithium below 75%, although that will change in winter) and if I suddenly get the bug for long stay camping I'll review again then where I can clearly see the benefit of solar

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

I'm actually finding the 230ah is a an overkill so not really necessary

So no real need then for permanent solar panels on the roof, if your usage is low.
Maybe, if you do want solar that bad, a portable panel with a decent controller linked directly to your leisure battery might be a quick, cheap solution?

 

[bigtwin]

No real merit in you adding solar.

Ian

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

 

[Dolmen]

So no real need then for permanent solar panels on the roof, if your usage is low.
Maybe, if you do want solar that bad, a portable panel with a decent controller linked directly to your leisure battery might be a quick, cheap solution?

I don’t want solar at the moment and didn’t think I needed it, however, so many forum members have it I just wanted a sense check really, make sure I wasn’t missing out on something I hadn’t thought of. Think I’m OK as is

 

[dunnah01]

You'll save diesel if you have solar but not sure what the payback period would be

 

[VXman]

Probably not if you continue in your present pattern of usage. However, we spent 10 days in a field with no electric for Le Mans 24 hour race. Our solar (350 watt/270amh) provided us with the usual stuff (lights, water pump, electronic devices) but also allowed to charge 2 electric bikes, a electric motorbike and occasional use of inverter for toaster/hairdryer/tongs. I even plugged the 3 way fridge in via EHU/inverter to use up some spare energy occasionally!

We tend to move fairly regularly when travelling so a lot of time the solar is not needed but it is useful on occasions. I'm hoping I can find campsites with electric as an option so if we do use them we can take advantage of our off grid capability.

 

[VXman]

You'll save diesel if you have solar but not sure what the payback period would be

Eh? You mean if you use the engine to recharge the batteries? I don't think the OP was suggesting this. He moves on every couple of days anyway.

 

[Dolmen]

Probably not if you continue in your present pattern of usage. However, we spent 10 days in a field with no electric for Le Mans 24 hour race. Our solar (350 watt/270amh) provided us with the usual stuff (lights, water pump, electronic devices) but also allowed to charge 2 electric bikes, a electric motorbike and occasional use of inverter for toaster/hairdryer/tongs. I even plugged the 3 way fridge in via EHU/inverter to use up some spare energy occasionally!

We tend to move fairly regularly when travelling so a lot of time the solar is not needed but it is useful on occasions. I'm hoping I can find campsites with electric as an option so if we do use them we can take advantage of our off grid capability.

Yes, can understand how useful (essential) in those circumstances. Would definitely reconsider if my van usage pattern changed

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

 

[dunnah01]

Eh? You mean if you use the engine to recharge the batteries? I don't think the OP was suggesting this. He moves on every couple of days anyway.

If the only source of charging the leisure battery is the B2B then it will take about 0.5mpg to turn the alternator and give the extra 30ish amps of current to the batteries until they're fully charged.

 

[Raul]

Eh? You mean if you use the engine to recharge the batteries? I don't think the OP was suggesting this. He moves on every couple of days anyway.

When you move, yes, but you still charge from a diesel generator. The alternator does not give you that energy free. A bit of solar will ease the b2b only for top up.
My b2b is off from February to November.

 

[VXman]

When you move, yes, but you still charge from a diesel generator. The alternator does not give you that energy free. A bit of solar will ease the b2b only for top up.
My b2b is off from February to November.

Ah yes - ok. Not sure I'd be bothered about that - quite minimal amounts in the grand scheme of things I would have thought.

 

[Wh05apk]

If the only source of charging the leisure battery is the B2B then it will take about 0.5mpg to turn the alternator and give the extra 30ish amps of current to the batteries until they're fully charged.

But in this case, more than compensated for with additional drag, and the initial purchase price.

 

[dunnah01]

Ah yes - ok. Not sure I'd be bothered about that - quite minimal amounts in the grand scheme of things I would have thought.

Works out at roughly £1.00 of diesel to provide 200Ah charge to use in the van. So just 500 trips and the solar's paid for itself

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

 

[Barti Ddu]

I'm actually finding the 230ah is a an overkill so not really necessary

I think that overkill is the issue to be honest. With your minimal use you didn't really need 200aH of lithium or a B2B.

Our usage is the same as you - 12v power for lights, pump, heating fan, phone and laptop charging, and we do OK with just a 72aH standard lead acid battery, 100w of solar and a basic split charger (no B2B). Our use is also 90% off grid and away from EHU,