300w Solar/12v/230v Electrics Set Up - Advice/opinions Please :)

algled

algled

Member
T6 Pro
Hi all,

I have been browsing various threads and spent a long time on the Travelvolts site... I am reaching out for opinion and advice on what I am planning to install in my camper conversion.

Solar panel: 300w semi-flexible photonic universe solar panel - I am planning on being self sufficient, without the need for hook up as many sites/festivals don't offer a connection. What are the views on 300w vs x2 150w panels?

Battery: Extreme AGM 110AH - I'd like it located under the passenger seat and this seems to be the best option. (I like the look of lithium but price-prohibitive - ideally, i'd like the possibility of a swap out in the future)

DC/DC charger: Ring RSCDC30 - I think this is the only option I have for the 37.3v input of 300w solar. It is big...!

230v charger: Victron - which one?! IP22 12/15 or 12/30?

Inverter: Victron Phoenix 12/1200 --- If this is viable, I'd like to be able to run a coffee machine for ~10mins in the morning. (I know gas is the best way to boil water, that there are aeropresses etc :))


Mains hook up kit
x4 230v Sockets
x3 12v sockets
x1 fridge and fridge cable - planning to buy Dometic CRP 40
x1 cold water pump - planning to buy Smev 9722 - Dometic MO9722 Slimline Combination Hob and Sink
meter/monitor - any comments on which one?

Anything I am missing? (it is more than 10years since I did a leisure battery install and the technology has come on so much since then...!)
 
Thats what I'd suggest too.
... or, another option is to wire the two 150's in parallel so you have twice the current at the single-panel voltage, this would give you a wider choice of low-voltage solar controllers... Paralleling also helps with shadowing - within a panel the solar cells are in series and if any one cell is in shadow it restricts the current of the whole panel, so paralleling another panel helps continuity. But a single 300 is much neater. I'd go for the 300.

I cringe at the mention of big inverters and coffee machines... you're talking 100 amps plus from your poor little 110Ah battery - its just cruel !

Cheers
afro.gif

Phil

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Resurrecting this thread as I am at decision making time...
I am keen on getting a 'flush' photonic universe panel as want to keep it looking clean/don't want to add height. I can't decide what size i will need and hoping to get some help. the main load will be a fridge and i would like to be able to spend weekends off 230v hook up and do 1 week in france in the summer (expect long days of good light :))

Is 160w enough or should i push it further and go to x2 panels.

Panels I am considering:
160w (x1 160w panel):
12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine
200w (x2 100w panels):
12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine
240w (x2 120w panels):
12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine

More info on the rest of the planned set up:
Charge controller: Victron smartsolar 75/15 charge controller
Battery: Extreme AGM 110AH
DC to DC: Sterling Power Pro Batt Ultra 30amp
(plan is to get a LiFePO battery in 2020!)

Panel(s) will be mounted on a Reimo roof SWB with Active rails fitted

Typical load:
- Fridge - looking at a dometic coolbox (Dometic CoolFreeze CFX 50W | Dometic)
- I will have LED lights used only in the evenings
- Charging of phones and tablets
- (not going to put an inverter in until I have LiFePO)
 
have a look at these:

Thinking About A Solar Panel? Look At This.....

My Roof Might Be Crap But The Solar Panel Is Ace

Solar Panel Fitting To Front Hinged Roof

How've You Installed Your Solar Panel?

Volkswagen VW T4 or T5 Camping vans/bus install flexible solar panels guide. How many ways to install the flexible solar panels on the camper’s or caravan’s roof? | Lensun Solar Panel – Lensunsolar

Lensun Solar Energy Store

12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine

Renogy Official Site | All-in-one Solar Kit | Portable Solar Generator

ACOPower Official Site | Solar Panel Kits | Portable Solar Generator | Solar Charge Controller | Solar Inverters - ACOPower.com



What Solar Panel & Controller ?


also have a look at Redarc for the DC-DC charger solution, its a lot smaller than the Sterling.

REDARC Electronics: Automotive Electronics, Accessories & Equipment | REDARC Electronics
 
Im going down a similar route to this and after asking advice from Martyn @travelvolts and others i decided that one large panel with a solar controller would be better than two smaller ones and would also be better to get a neat finish on the van roof ie easier to get straight,less cabling etc. I bought the Photonic Universe 300w panel,its huge but pretty light. I see you are already thinking about a Victron solar controller,thats what Martyn recommended as well,good luck and let us see how you get on
 
Thanks folks. @travelvolts @Dellmassive

I have been weighing everything up... i am now thinking the above 160w solar panel and x2 leisure batteries...
It is possible to fit all of this under the two front seats...? :)

-x2 110ah batteries (Extreme AGM) - one under each seat --- I would like to be able to upgrade these to LiFePO in the future
- Small DC to DC charger - i had been looking at the sterling power but the redarc looks like a neater solution
- 12v fusebox
- 240v battery charger - i have been recommended the CBE, any alternatives/smaller ones?
- 240v circuit breaker/consumer unit - again planning to use the CBE one

will i need a separate solar regulator if i go with the redarc charger?
 
algled said:
Thanks folks. @travelvolts @Dellmassive

I have been weighing everything up... i am now thinking the above 160w solar panel and x2 leisure batteries...
It is possible to fit all of this under the two front seats...? :)

-x2 110ah batteries (Extreme AGM) - one under each seat --- I would like to be able to upgrade these to LiFePO in the future
- Small DC to DC charger - i had been looking at the sterling power but the redarc looks like a neater solution
- 12v fusebox
- 240v battery charger - i have been recommended the CBE, any alternatives/smaller ones?
- 240v circuit breaker/consumer unit - again planning to use the CBE one

will i need a separate solar regulator if i go with the redarc charger?
Click to expand...

********************


It is possible to fit all of this under the two front seats...? - if you have the twin single seats, Yes, but NO for a double passenger bench as the 110Ah is too large.(driver seat ok)

I would like to be able to upgrade these to LiFePO in the future - no problem, but, you will need a dedicated Lithium charger at that point though

- Small DC to DC charger - i had been looking at the sterling power but the redarc looks like a neater solution - love the Redarc, a new BCD1250D will be released soon

- 12v fusebox - @travelvolts - https://www.travelvolts.net/

- 240v battery charger - i have been recommended the CBE, any alternatives/smaller ones? - @travelvolts - https://www.travelvolts.net/

- 240v circuit breaker/consumer unit - again planning to use the CBE one - @travelvolts - https://www.travelvolts.net/

will i need a separate solar regulator if i go with the redarc charger? - No, Not with the BCDC-D models (within the VOC and Imax limits of the BCDC depending on what panels you want to get), but a separate dedicated solar controler is favoured. ie - victron MPPT 75/15 or 300/100


take a look at the gallery section for some ideas and batterys under the seats> https://www.travelvolts.net/

.
 
Thanks @travelvolts and @Dellmassive

Am I right to assume the Redarc BCDC1240D would be suitable for the 160w photonic universe solar and to charge x2 100ah leisure batteries?

Also, which victron 230v intelligent battery charger would you recommend for my set up? (x2 110ah leisure batteries)
I'd rather not to have to have a dedicated regulator (to save space) :)

Thanks for all your help
 
Yes, the 160 watt panel is a good match for the Redarc. Go for the Victron IP65 12/15 BlueSmart charger. No need for a seperate solar regulator.
 
You may be intested in checking the calculations for connecting solar panels in series or parallel. Here is a video hope it is useful

 
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