Got a new to us caravan with a 160 watt roof mounted solar panel fitted. Caravan is going to spend its time in France and Spain. We have just fitted a new 110amp leisure battery fitted as we have a mover. In summer conditions can we switch the on board caravan charger off? Reason we ask we get charged for electric in Spain and just thought we could save a few euros, it is not a deal breaker if we can't. And finally are all solar panel regulators the same or are some better than others?
Any other solar panel tips?
A word of advice that you will need to wipe the solar panel surface clean from time to time as the airborne dust and dried rain droplets will accumulate creating a fogging of the surface thus slowly reducing the charge. I know a couple of people who had a solar panel on the caravan roof who encounterd this problem but they didn't know at the time thinking that their leisure battery was defective. They purchased a new battery and the same happened again over several months until they took the above advice from an expert in that field.
Some may disagree but you don't need a degree in physics to understand a logical explanation as to why windows need cleaning.
yes you can turn off or simply unplug the electrics from the post, however you wont be able tu run things other than those that work on 12v, so no water heater, no electric kettle and more importantly no running the fridge unless using gas which will cost you more than electric to run. I would be more concerned about overcharging the battery (cooking it) as in those conditions the battery wouldn't take long to charge it up, around 2 days max
First lets get the order of saving by not using an EHU to charge the battery into perspective. Setting aside inefficiencies for a moment your 110Ah battery only holds at the very most 1.3 units of electrical power. So the potential saving are minimal, as it only needs a bit of recharging.
Functionally it will work, taking "tango's" very valuble warning into account. Dust will degrade it but a bird dump could all but wipe out any yield, so keeping it clean is important.
Using local lpg gas in Spain might be cheaper than electricity so going that route for the fridge [probably your most expensive power user in summer] and pulling out the EHU and using that very large solar for all your lighting etc needs might save you some money.
hi if its just stored i woulg buy a soler panal and put it in the van pull back the sunroof blind lay the solar panel on then run the lead to the battery i do that over here in storege for the last 6 years and its worked a treat cheers .tom
I have 3x 60W solar panels, they are not fixed, so I slide one 60W on the roof, This has a hard wired regulator inside the van wired to the battery. The other 2, fold up like a suit case, these I just face them in the sun, at the side of the van, & moved round as required. I have a plug socket, which is wired to the battery terminal, I then just plug it into the socket, the regulator being on the back of the solar panels, they work a treat. If I am on ehu, I just plug in as normal, not bothering with the panels. I hope this helps.
As Marg6 says, the solar panel will only top up your leisure battery and that only allows you to use your 12v items. That might be ok if you can use gas on your water heater and fridge (although I understand running your fridge on gas in hot conditions is neither overly effective not financially prudent). We have a solar panel on the roof of our van and it works a treat for the 12v circuit.
Quote: Originally posted by marg6 on 08/3/2019
yes you can turn off or simply unplug the electrics from the post, however you wont be able tu run things other than those that work on 12v, so no water heater, no electric kettle and more importantly no running the fridge unless using gas which will cost you more than electric to run. I would be more concerned about overcharging the battery (cooking it) as in those conditions the battery wouldn't take long to charge it up, around 2 days max
The regulator for the mains charger and for the solar panel will ensure that the battery is not overcharged
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Roof Solar Panel
