We have been considering buying solar panels for our small 2 berth caravan. Watched some You Tube video reviews all of which are pro panels, went to view at caravan dealers and were advised that 2x60w would be recommended minimum, the suitcase type looked simplest to use, but are they vulnerable to being stolen?
We don’t have TV, like the radio, charge the iPad and use lights. Don’t have a microwave, like hot water..
We tow with a Berlingo, use a motor mover to pitch and negotiate wet grass, would there be enough charge for the motor mover when moving off site?
We haven’t really considered a panel fixed to the roof as we cover the van in winter, but are open to opinions or recommendations.
We are unable to ‘take off’ when we want due to 24hr care for my 89yr old father with altzheimers, this reduces our time away to maybe three weeks a year.
With EHU being roughly £3 extra per night it would take quite a time to recover the outlay on panels. How long do panels last before they need replacing?
Dilemma! Jumbled thoughts going through the brain, I need a holiday!
If you camp only on pitches with ehu availability, it may be a long time before you recovered the panel costs ...
The advantage of SP's is being able to camp on non ehu pitches, which are generally cheaper (so adding to the potential daily saving) ...
We don't have SP's, so you'll have to wait for someone better informed to advise on type(s) ... but, once you know the price you should be able to 'roughly' estimate the number of camping days you'd need to recover the cost.
I use a 150w folding panel does us for 15 nights keeps the battery fully charged inc. TV usage, controller is on the panel back (IP66 waterproof) and gives out 8amps in full sun. We use the C&CC Temporary Holiday Sites for around £8 - £11 a night, cheap with more outings. I just put a long chain with padlock to the caravan, never heard of any been stolen.
Having a roof mounted panel is the simplest and most efficient way:
-you can leave your leisure battery in the van - no need to lug it home to charge, and back again.
-therefore the 12v and mover (if you have one) are always ready to go.
-despite what some say, they charge throughout the year, even on dull days.
-panel failure does not seem be an issue - never seen this mentioned on the forums.
-you don't have to set up the suitcase type, and pack away afterwards, or find a home for it
-no risk of theft
I have a pair of solar panels on the roof of my campervan seem to keep the leisure battery topped up we do some wild camping and always seem to have enough battery power for our needs 12v tv some led lights and to power the heating system (heat is by gas) fan and controls are 12v
We have 100watt panel on roof. It's fine and keeps battery well charged. Solar is good for caravan as most output is in summer. 100 or 2x60 not a lot of difference is it.
I have an 80 watt panel I have had it for about ten years now and I have never run out off power. This is using TV about two hours a night 2 showers every other night probably about 5 hours lights x 2 (now LED).
The only time i have come home with a slightly less than full battery is in the winter months. (battery is 110amp)
Positive comments are convincing us that solar is the way to go, offers more freedom to pitch on small CS/CL and try the forest sites.
Thanks for comments.
Our new van has solar as standard,it is keeping the battery charged in storage.
Its stored indoors but there are translucent panels in the storage building roof.
Previous van battery did lose charge over a long period.
------------- DS-There's more to life than football!!!
If buying freestanding panels 1x60w would be enough provided you bought a good controller and used a reasonable cable, roof mounted an 2x60w would give almost the same power.
With freestanding you only take the panel when going off hook up, roof mounted will keep the battery topped up while not using the caravan.
The addition of Solar panels has its pros and cons for all the reasons people have mentioned.Your main concern would appear to be power for your motor mover.
SP's do work best in strong sunlight but the current produced on cloudy dull days will be greatly reduced so I also suggest the addition of a second habitation battery. This would double the Ampere Hour output and allow longer use between charges.
I personally have two HB's and a 120W SP which keeps everything charged up including the engine battery when our motorhome is in storage or have no EHU when touring.
2 x HB's is the cheapest option if cost is a major consideration but only you can factor in the type and frequency of use as these will determine the amount of cost savings. The additional battery weight should be very little in difference to carrying SP's whether fixed or not.
Hope this helps.
Don’t buy a solar panel from a caravan dealer, you will be able to get a better deal elsewhere. 120W is probably over kill but better too much than too little. It depends when your season begins and ends. Ours ends at midnight December 31st and begins Jan 1st. Our roof mounted 150W Panel comes easily with a weekend away. This weekend the battery was fully charged by 9 00am. As has been stated a freestanding panel is more efficient than a roof mounted one, we have ours on the roof for convenience.
As for SP brands, to be honest I think that they are a commodity these days. You could pay a fortune for a Truma one, but I would like to bet that Truma source them from the Far East and slap a massive mark up on them. Look at Amazon, eBay, photonics universe.
Thank you all so much for your comments, much to consider and wise advice. I think it will be 2x90 briefcase which will be a little 'overkill' but give extra peace of mind.
All comments appreciated.
2x90 will be gross overkill The only watch out I would have is the physical size of them can you handle them. In terms of deployment be aware that any form of shadow can devistate the output. Don’t think that if you have 10% of the cells in the panel then the you will get 90% output it doesn’t seem to work that way.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Solar Panels
The only watch out I would have is the physical size of them can you handle them. In terms of deployment be aware that any form of shadow can devistate the output. Don’t think that if you have 10% of the cells in the panel then the you will get 90% output it doesn’t seem to work that way.
