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Post by Etienne Le Croq on Nov 28, 2012 9:36:10 GMT
Solar panel prices have dropped considerably this year and are now very good value and an essential piece of kit for Wildcampers.All kit needed for home fitting is widely available on the net.Ebay is a very good source,with cable sold by the metre and can also be bought with ready crimped connectors fitted. So if you don't already have a panel,think about buying one,self fitting is very easy,with minimal electrical connections,Mr fox has made a couple of YouTube videos and you can always get good advice and help by asking on here.
Stephen.
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Post by vwT5surfbus on Dec 5, 2012 19:27:19 GMT
deffo worth getting solar now ive decided for around £100 inc cheap regulator you can buy a 90 watt panel. the flat flexi ones are more though. i have only heard good things about them
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Post by Etienne Le Croq on Dec 5, 2012 20:11:16 GMT
100 watt panels now around £86 delivered on eBay ,not seen those flexi ones,but I'm sure they will get cheaper next year.
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Post by Doodles on Dec 5, 2012 20:39:11 GMT
Link please to youtube video starring mr fox
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Post by Etienne Le Croq on Dec 5, 2012 20:51:04 GMT
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Post by Doodles on Dec 5, 2012 20:53:01 GMT
Thank you kindly good sir ;D
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Post by Etienne Le Croq on Dec 5, 2012 21:00:53 GMT
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Post by Doodles on Dec 5, 2012 21:01:49 GMT
Found that one easy enough lol
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2012 23:45:32 GMT
Found that one easy enough lol First the Prothingy heater, now solar panels!!!! The lad is going to blow himself up before long. Just mark my words
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Post by Doodles on Dec 6, 2012 7:46:58 GMT
Found that one easy enough lol First the Prothingy heater, now solar panels!!!! The lad is going to blow himself up before long. Just mark my words Trust me i couldnt even blow up a balloon
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Post by vwT5surfbus on Dec 9, 2012 11:55:50 GMT
nice vids thanks. solar panels are pretty safe I hope!
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Post by Etienne Le Croq on Dec 9, 2012 12:11:00 GMT
Fitting a panel and connecting it up is one of the easiest jobs you can do on your van,honest!
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Post by Doodles on Dec 9, 2012 18:16:09 GMT
Fitting a panel and connecting it up is one of the easiest jobs you can do on your van,honest! So i glue it onto the roof and then run the wires straight into the petrol tank.What do i do next?
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Post by Etienne Le Croq on Dec 9, 2012 19:24:56 GMT
Put the kettle on ;D
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Post by Doodles on Dec 9, 2012 19:38:49 GMT
Now the kettle plugs straight into the altenator right?
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Post by Etienne Le Croq on Dec 9, 2012 20:04:58 GMT
;D
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Post by tommy on Dec 18, 2012 14:27:31 GMT
Dont just "slap" one on, plan your electrical system.
Using Led lighting , a gas tank electric valve delete, and a boiler/hot water timer I've cut my basic electrical consumption by 75% to below 10AH a day and saved on gas in using the timer for warm mornings rather than leave things on overnight. I equalise 3 x 110AH batteries every 6 to 8 weeks with a battery charger capable of doing so corectly unlike the van charger or solar in winter and dont need hookup for anything else. Three 80w solar panels, (1 tilting and the other 2 bi fold tilting) provide up to 7a in a low uk winter sun and i ve seldom come close to dipping above 80ah out the 3 batteries this year at any time despite being in the van 5 nights a week and off hookup until equalising charge due. Van is in the uk !
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Post by robmac on Dec 18, 2012 14:31:52 GMT
Great post. You realise you may have opened yourself to a few technical questions from idiots like myself though.
Welcome to the site.
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Post by tommy on Dec 18, 2012 14:46:34 GMT
Cheers.. But after countless years of forum talk on the subject from every self proclaimed specialist it seems people are still none the wiser and as a result havnt a clue what to fit or what they want from a solar system. They could all be virtually hookup free for £250 and a bit of labour and they ve been spending that on a fancy mppt that wont improve things by any noticeable amount and an 80w flat panel thats way off optimally mounted when they need the power !! You ve got to love forums and their experts for stifling progress !!
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Post by Etienne Le Croq on Dec 18, 2012 17:06:48 GMT
Welcome Tommy! Your setup sounds good.
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Post by tommy on Jan 2, 2013 10:42:11 GMT
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Post by tommy on Feb 3, 2013 17:58:30 GMT
January has been a lousy month - I ve had to hookup once a week, but am back on full batteries from solar now.
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Post by Etienne Le Croq on Feb 3, 2013 19:48:23 GMT
The last few days have been very sunny here ,but same as for January .I needed to use the charger a couple of times.
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Post by Etienne Le Croq on Feb 4, 2013 20:27:50 GMT
Managed 1.5amps today as it was very sunny fora few hours .
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