Certainly, Solar Panels barely work in the dull UK winter months of grey skies and low Sun angle.
If you have any kind of drain on the battery like an alarm/tracker, then it's possible that the Solar Panel is barely keeping the battery topped up, what people forget is that the drain is there 24 a day, whilst the Solar Panel may only add noticeable charge for 4-5 hours a day in winter.
Lead acid batteries also self-discharge at around 5%/month, so even without a drain current, the Solar Panels still have work to do to keep a trickle charge going to keep the batteries in peak charge.
Our 100 watt solar panel recharges the battery in winter. I have the van serviced every February so use the mover quite a bit. A day or two later it's fully charged.
I have a 100w solar panel fitted by myself to my motorhome. It keeps both leisure and engine batteries charged, which is essential for me as my mh is kept in storage, with no access to ehu.
I also am able to spend several days away without the need for ehu, as the panel keeps my leisure battery topped up. Certainly a plus for me in the way I use my mh.
its not a simple answer. location and use make a difference as does the type of controller.
approach it from a different angle - start with batteries first, because theyre the important factor in the 'equation;. it doesnt matter how you charge them, if the capacity is low then you may struggle to power your van irrespective of whatever charging system you have. adding an additional battery (though you should really have 'matched' batteries, so may need two new or one large capacity replacement) will be your best cost effective option
can you afford lithium or have the space for an additional battery? if you intend travelling a lot, then a B2B (DC to DC) charger might be a better option as it can provide a much higher battery charge (30amp/50amp) than a solar panel, but only if driving! i would invest in a B2B long before solar. if you drive and change location every day, then a B2B is by far your best cost effective option.
if you drive to your location, are not on EHU and dont move the vehicle for two weeks, then increased battery capacity (additional battery or change to lithium - which are very expensive) supported by solar is a good option.
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Topic: Solar Panels
via mobile 18/2/2022 at 9:59pm
