installing solar power in a westy

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Westy End
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installing solar power in a westy

Post by Westy End »

All,

thought I would put down for the benefit of others what progress I have made on this project - with thanks to printmonkey for his thread earlier which inspired me. I want a solar capability which charges both batteries, gives me good information and has minimal impact on the look of the van. I have also had several occasions where my battery has run flat so I hope that this solution will prevent that and start to pay for itself when I dont need a hook up at campsites.

I bought:

100W Semi flexible solar Panel: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161057406947? ... 1439.l2649
Image

£149

20A Charging controller (and optional liquid crystal display meter): http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161137693843? ... 1439.l2649 Image

£56.99 (now seems to be £156.99!) This gives good information about charging for both batteries - you can prioritise which gets charged and at what percentage. It also tells you the voltage being achieved by the panel.

Suitably rated wire - 20A - 10 meters: http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/twin-core-20a ... etre-xs73q

£27 (I have since seen it cheaper but never mind)

Ring connectors to attach to the batteries.
Grommets for the wires.

means of attaching panel to roof - very strong 3M velcro equivalent and some brackets which I will fix to the roof with sikaflex. Possibly allowing the panel to be moved to maximise charging efficiency.

Set up:
I want the controller and the meter to be accessible but unobtrusive so have decided to position them to the rear of the top tray which runs from behind the driver's seat to the main wardrobe. As luck would have it the controller just sits nicely there (without the need to screw it down). Wires need to run to the controller from the solar panel and from the controller to both the leisure and starter batteries. I have had a look at MPPT chargers and PWM with the former supposedly being more efficient in converting the charge from the panel into charge for the batteries. However my research seemed to suggest that at these wattages there is little to choose between the two (and cheap MPPT chargers are not as efficient as they may in theory claim). This was also the only set up I could find where it would charge both batteries at the rates I could specify and track.

Routing the wire to the leisure battery:
From the controller there is a small gap to the void between the wardrobe and the side window. Leave enough wire to allow the controller to be removed from the tray (to put the other wires in and for maintenance etc). Feed the wire through the gap and down to into the main wardrobe. I intend to run the wire under the freshwater tank next time it is removed but for now I pushed the wire between the edging trim and the wall panel of the van to run the wire into both shallow cupboards above the water tank. Then I fed it down through the void containing the electrical equipment and to the floor to run behind the low cupboard, fridge and main cupboard where it can then follow the other wires through to the leisure battery.

Routing wire to starter battery:
Mine's a diesel so the battery is in the engine bay. Again starting at the controller feed a wire along the top of the wardrobe to come out at the back. Here there is a hole which has to be drilled in the left hand metal panel - there is a recess which you can feel on the inside and the corresponding bump above the air intake on the outside. Image
I made sure that it was above the overhang so that no water will get in. I drilled a 6mm hole (slightly enlarged to squeeze the wire through) and a dose of dinitrol to rustproof the exposed metal. The wire is fed down to the void behind the rear light cluster and can be pulled through by removing the light cluster. It is then run along under the lip of the engine lid and behind the soundproofing (to keep it away from moving parts of the engine) to the battery.

Routing Wire to solar panel:
I have yet to do this but the intention is again to run a wire from the controller backwards above the wardrobe, up through the corner of the floor of the upper bed, under the canvas and up through the fibreglass roof (now outside of the canvas) through a grommet.

Attaching the panel to the roof:
Yet to be done.

What power the set up produces:
I will update when i get the solar panel hooked up!

I will add more when I get the solar panel hooked up - hopefully in the next week or so (weather permitting).

Westy End
....========¬====¬
.../-/--|----||---\-----‴-----\
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ninja.turtle007
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Re: installing solar power in a westy

Post by ninja.turtle007 »

I've have been seriously looking/about to buy a very similar panel. I will be fitting a 1200x1200 roof basket at the rear end of the roof, which will give just enough room for a panel of this size to fit horizontally just below the skylight.

I look forward to the pics of your install. :ok
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Re: installing solar power in a westy

Post by Adeybruce »

I fitted the same kit in mine, except it was 2 x 40w flexi panels. Same display panel and twin battery charger. Very pleased with the results. Some pics at the post here:
http://forum.club8090.co.uk/viewtopic.p ... 8&start=15" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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printmonkey
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Re: installing solar power in a westy

Post by printmonkey »

Looking forward to the install pics too. I've tidied my wiring up a little, get yourself a short Ethernet cable for the meter if you can the one in the box is way too long. I can make you one at work if you want, just let me know the length ;)
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keith
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Re: installing solar power in a westy

Post by keith »

im very close to doing the same thing....the panel looks a great choice and a good price.

I found the charger here if it helps..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20A-EPIPDB-CO ... 4acc34d887" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
E D I T....this was 26 quidd....its now daft money...weird...



and the remote meter here

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20A-Dual-batt ... 1146780674" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

weird that the price shot up on the pack that you listed...
Last edited by keith on 19 Feb 2014, 22:00, edited 1 time in total.
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ninja.turtle007
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Re: installing solar power in a westy

Post by ninja.turtle007 »

This is the panel I'm about to buy. The size is perfect for where I need it to fit.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-100W-12v- ... 3a8b8756ee" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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keith
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Re: installing solar power in a westy

Post by keith »

nice find Tom

will you be tapping into the split charge system or going direct to the battery(s)
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Re: installing solar power in a westy

Post by ninja.turtle007 »

keith wrote:nice find Tom

will you be tapping into the split charge system or going direct to the battery(s)


I need to make sure it is okay to do first but my intention is to run it through my Sterling battery to battery charger. That way it'll charge all batteries and I will be able to monitor charging it through the Sterling Remote control.
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keith
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Re: installing solar power in a westy

Post by keith »

forgot you had that....
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keith
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Re: installing solar power in a westy

Post by keith »

Just bought mine.....panel, controller, meter....


What cable do i need to go from panel to controller.....and out to batteries.....also.....do i need std battery clamps or is there a better method.

Cheers
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ninja.turtle007
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Re: installing solar power in a westy

Post by ninja.turtle007 »

.
Last edited by ninja.turtle007 on 19 Feb 2014, 21:46, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: installing solar power in a westy

Post by ninja.turtle007 »

keith wrote:Just bought mine.....panel, controller, meter....


What cable do i need to go from panel to controller.....and out to batteries.....also.....do i need std battery clamps or is there a better method.

Cheers

You need 2x single core 4mm solar cable with MC4 connectors to controller and two core 10a to battery/s

My panel turned up today. Only a trial fit but it fits perfectly between the ridge in the roof and skylight. Leaving room for 1200 x 1200 roof basket at the rear. There is still room for 2x 20w panels either side of the skylight if necessary.

Image


Just waiting for everything else to turn up be fitting it.
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keith
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Re: installing solar power in a westy

Post by keith »

Are the mc4 connectors male , female or bi..... :lol:

I take it that they plug into whatever's on the end of the panel ...

How are you fixing your panel Tom.....silkaflex type stuff.
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Re: installing solar power in a westy

Post by ninja.turtle007 »

Solar cable wise, I bought this. More than needed but a good price

eBay 261385851306

2 core regulator to batteries

290408586688

Adhesive

131096723734
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Re: installing solar power in a westy

Post by keith »

Cheers Tom....just bought the 10 meters too....like you say a good price posted.
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