A couple of solar panels going £120 cheap(er)

[Dellmassive]

530w panel, 460ah battery. All the mains stuff via inverter.. run out of power after 4 days at summer camp.

My own fault, I parked the van in front of a tree line with the pop top facing the trees, so that the only time the sun was optimum angle it was already shaded by the trees.

Schoolboy error on my part

 

[Merryman]

I originally had a solar on the roof of my LWB. Then went the pop top option, so took the solar off. Anyone have any experience of removing the stikaflex from under the panel, so I can replace onto the pop top. Also using a Banner 110v battery and battery box. But undecided where to fit the battery, too big to go under the front seats.

 

[Dellmassive]

I originally had a solar on the roof of my LWB. Then went the pop top option, so took the solar off. Anyone have any experience of removing the stikaflex from under the panel, so I can replace onto the pop top. Also using a Banner 110v battery and battery box. But undecided where to fit the battery, too big to go under the front seats.

Yep........


Post in thread 'Dellmassive`s Camper Van Adventure' Dellmassive`s Camper Van Adventure


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[RunDSG]

530w panel, 460ah battery. All the mains stuff via inverter.. run out of power after 4 days at summer camp.

My own fault, I parked the van in front of a tree line with the pop top facing the trees, so that the only time the sun was optimum angle it was already shaded by the trees.

Schoolboy error on my part

View attachment 298438

Haha. I can’t even imagine burning through 460ah in four days! What kit are you running?!

 

[Dellmassive]

Haha. I can’t even imagine burning through 460ah in four days! What kit are you running?!

12v side.
UsB chargers.
Led lights
External RGB pop top lights
Starlink WiFi
Regular WiFi
Trickle charger
Derv heater
Internal fridge



250v 3kva inverter side.
Microwave
Coffee pod machine
Kettle
Air fryer
External compressor fridge


All the Cerbo data logging just shows a steady drop in SOC untill dead..... No point having solar if if it can't see the sun lol.

Even run the engine for hour, but that only but 8% back in.

 

[Velosaurus]

I parked the van in front of a tree line with the pop top facing the trees, so that the only time the sun was optimum angle it was already shaded by the trees.

I have fly leads fitted and a 100W folding panel for this exact scenario. Which is just as well as am about to go away and I think my 150W roof panel is dying

Cloudless sunny day. 150W Roof panel only:



And with the 100W folding panel deployed as well:



I will replace the roof panel (was going to anyway with a bigger panel) and maybe get a separate MPPT for the folding panel.

 

[Stay Frosty]

Any pictures of a 530 Watt panel Lee, I'm guessing it's huge?

 

[Dellmassive]

Yes it's big, but just fits...

Post in thread 'Dellmassive`s Camper Van Adventure'

8 Jun 2025

Solar Panel. . . 180W (24.0v VOC, 9.22A ISC) Black, Mono, rear junction.





I've asked the pop-top installer to fit the panel. . .

I've included the install guide in the panel box,

and I've highlighted the install notes about FILLING IN THE ROOF RIDGES, to create a smooth surface (for equal thermal expansion across the panel)

and I've highlighted the bonding methods,

but really I'm in there hands, ill voice my concerns about the fitting. (but they will be, weve fitted loads of panels and never had one go wrong) - but we know better.


if you have a decent quality...

• Dellmassive

• 
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• 

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Post in thread 'Dellmassive`s Camper Van Adventure'

8 Jun 2025

How big are you going?
I bought a 270W photovoltaic Universe panel with rear gland / cable entry, am now thinking I don't want to cut such a big hole in the pop top so will look for one with top cable connections.

finally got it sorted out.

im going as big as i can go - 530w in one panel.

its arrived (on two pallets lol - truck delivery)

hopefully it fits ok.


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its definately big. . . .







but looks like it should fit on the roof fine...

• Dellmassive

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• 

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[Stay Frosty]

That looks like a way of addressing the fading gel coat problem too that some of us are experiencing, this way there's no roof left bare!

 

[BoroBoy]

That looks like a way of addressing the fading gel coat problem too that some of us are experiencing, this way there's no roof left bare!

I spoke to Streamline about my fading Gelcoat, and below is the answer I got from them for maintenance of the pop top.

 

[Dellmassive]

I spoke to Streamline about my fading Gelcoat, and below is the answer I got from them for maintenance of the pop top.

View attachment 298568

Just get it spray painted the colour of van?

Or have it vinyl wrapped?

Tho paint will be the best long lasting answer.

Mines fibreglass and colour code painted.

 

[Stay Frosty]

I was just thinking that the panel Lee has got covers most of the surface that gets hammered by the sun, in my case the upright edges of our upturned bath tub are still gloss black after 6 yrs of repeated exposure to warm Mediterranean sun, gentle offshore breezes and a veritable onslaught of carnauba wax massages.
I reckon 2 square feet of gloss wrap and that panel would be cheaper than paint or a full wrap when my panels die or the lure of 530 Watts of free electric proves too attractive.
Got a link Lee if I can be nosey?

 

[Dellmassive]

I was just thinking that the panel Lee has got covers most of the surface that gets hammered by the sun, in my case the upright edges of our upturned bath tub are still gloss black after 6 yrs of repeated exposure to warm Mediterranean sun, gentle offshore breezes and a veritable onslaught of carnauba wax massages.
I reckon 2 square feet of gloss wrap and that panel would be cheaper than paint or a full wrap when my panels die or the lure of 530 Watts of free electric proves too attractive.
Got a link Lee if I can be nosey?

Sure...

They do slightly smaller ones too.

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

12V solar panel solar charging kits for motorhome caravan boat campervan yacht marine off-grid

www.photonicuniverse.com

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[Badjamin]

Am itching to get a solar panel but feel like I need to wait til I have a pop top. I have a suitcase panel but it's always in the way in the van and never sunny when I have it with me.

The van is baked in the morning sun every day so I'm thinkin a 100w for the roof ideally with a hidden junction box plugged straight into my Ecoflow D2... hmmm

 

[RunDSG]

Am itching to get a solar panel but feel like I need to wait til I have a pop top. I have a suitcase panel but it's always in the way in the van and never sunny when I have it with me.

The van is baked in the morning sun every day so I'm thinkin a 100w for the roof ideally with a hidden junction box plugged straight into my Ecoflow D2... hmmm

Sounds like a good plan. I’d suggest going as big as you can afford, mainly because a larger panel will still give you a useful amount of energy in non-ideal conditions (eg. Cloud, facing wrong direction, etc).

You’ll rarely or maybe never get 100% even in ‘perfect’ sun, partly because pop tops are not the ideal angle. Mine is around 15 degrees, and in UK 37 degrees or so is best. (If I recall…)

 

[Velosaurus]

Yeah I wish I had fitted bigger than the 150w, but it was 3 years ago and panels were dearer then. I will replace it with 3-400W.

My folding panel lives in the pop top when not in use. I did get the £60 renogy 100W folding rigid panel but it was just too large and cumbersome so I spent a bit extra for the thinner 100w one

 

[markc84]

Found what appears to be some Photonic Universe 270W semi flexible solar panels cheap (£430) on Wired Campers website 270W Semi Flexible Black Solar Panel - Hidden Junction Box
Photonic Universe's own website has these at £550 12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine
Look like their most recent 9 Busbars panels (the advert is exactly the same for both websites)
I've just bought one so there are only 2 left.
Get in quick if you want one.
I reckon it will perfectly fit widthwise (710mm) on the raised ribs on my Skyline Aurora pop top, length (1900mm) not a problem.

Bought this panel about a month ago from this seller on eBay. I had a 5% off coupon and the seller also sent me a 5% discount offer, so stacking them brought the price down to around £390. I think I got the last one, as they’re out of stock now and the price seems to have gone up.

Haven’t quite had the courage to fit it yet.

I’ll be installing this on an Austops roof and just wanted to ask what the best wrap would be to use on the pop-top before fitting the panel. I’ve seen MDP Supplies mentioned, but there’s such a big range that I’m not sure where to start. Is the wrap tricky to apply, and are there any special tools needed for installation?

Also wondering what bonding material people recommend, and roughly how much I’d need.

Sorry for all the questions - just trying to get my head around everything before I start!

 

[Skyliner33]

Bought this panel about a month ago from this seller on eBay. I had a 5% off coupon and the seller also sent me a 5% discount offer, so stacking them brought the price down to around £390. I think I got the last one, as they’re out of stock now and the price seems to have gone up.

Haven’t quite had the courage to fit it yet.

I’ll be installing this on an Austops roof and just wanted to ask what the best wrap would be to use on the pop-top before fitting the panel. I’ve seen MDP Supplies mentioned, but there’s such a big range that I’m not sure where to start. Is the wrap tricky to apply, and are there any special tools needed for installation?

Also wondering what bonding material people recommend, and roughly how much I’d need.

Sorry for all the questions - just trying to get my head around everything before I start!

Oh, snap. In fact I've had a panel in its box since before this thread started. I just can bring myself to drill a hole in the pop top. I need to take some man-up tablets and sort it out.

When I do grow some cajunas I will be using a layer of ppf (as its will be inpossible to see and then the velcro like I used on last van and @Dellmassive used as he posted earlier on this thread.

 

[Grim Reaper]

Cast Vehicle Wrapping Vinyl is the best, it's a bugger to fit (need 6 hands) but it has proved itself so useful when a panel has needed to be removed with as little damage to the roof as possible.
A felt block and a hot air gun is best, the vinyl needs to be set with high heat to finally glue it to the surface.

 

[Skyliner33]

Cast Vehicle Wrapping Vinyl is the best, it's a bugger to fit (need 6 hands) but it has proved itself so useful when a panel has needed to be removed with as little damage to the roof as possible.
A felt block and a hot air gun is best, the vinyl needs to be set with high heat to finally glue it to the surface.

Problem is you cant get it in clear. Plus PPF should be a lot easier to fit (and it sounds it from your post).