[Guide] Mobile Solar Panels ? . . . - How I Did It -

[Dellmassive]

@Mike Dean

you cant do that unfortunately.

The EHU port is 240vac mains voltage.

most solar setups are 12v dc voltage and need connecting to the vans battery.


as an example have a look at this, you put it out in the sun and clip it to you battery :


EDIT 2021 : - The RED battery connection MUST be FUSED - (all battery connections must be fused.)

you will need to add an inline 5/10/20A fuse to the RED battery connection !

Also be warned that the PWM controller has battery voltage at the SAE PV connection !!

DOKIO 160W Solar Panel Kit Monocrystalline Portable Flexible Folding include Solar Charge Controller and PV Cable for 12V Battery Charging Camper Van : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science

DOKIO 160W Solar Panel Kit Monocrystalline Portable Flexible Folding include Solar Charge Controller and PV Cable for 12V Battery Charging Camper Van : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science

amzn.to

and 300w kit . . .

DOKIO 300W 18V Solar Panel Kit Monocrystalline Portable Flexible Folding include Solar Charge Controller and PV Cable for 12V Battery Charging Camper Van : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science

DOKIO 300W 18V Solar Panel Kit Monocrystalline Portable Flexible Folding include Solar Charge Controller and PV Cable for 12V Battery Charging Camper Van : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science

amzn.to

 

[EdH]

Just been wild camping with ACF, and my phone needed a charger, however mid Wales countryside unfortunately doesn't offer any mobile device/phone charging points. @Dellmassive do you know of any reliable mini solar PV systems which could assist in mobile phone charging while on the go and wild camping. Packable styles that one perhaps could attach on the top of bergen while on the move or prop it against the tent if stationary. Or are these mobile/mini one's waste of money?

 

[Dellmassive]

@EdH unfortunately I've found them to be a waist of time.

you are better off getting a USB power bank and charging your devices from that.

The power Bank can be recharged charged from your 12v system later.

The Anker Brand are very good as is RAVPOWER . . .

Example . . .

https://amzn.to/3xWEb8U

++++++++++


use this to recharge it . . .

https://amzn.to/3jy3QB5

..

 

[CAB]

Just been wild camping with ACF, and my phone needed a charger, however mid Wales countryside unfortunately doesn't offer any mobile device/phone charging points. @Dellmassive do you know of any reliable mini solar PV systems which could assist in mobile phone charging while on the go and wild camping. Packable styles that one perhaps could attach on the top of bergen while on the move or prop it against the tent if stationary. Or are these mobile/mini one's waste of money?

Good write up here:

Why 'solar power banks' can never work. Avoid, avoid!

The idea is a great one - combine the functions of solar panels and power bank in the one gadget, to have a single, self sufficient gadget that will just go on and on. Maths and physics unfortunately get in the way, and it’s worth exploring why. So don’t get tempted when you see these on Amazon...

allaboutmobile.com

 

[Ricardo T]

I've had one of these for 3 years or so and found it really good, still going strong.

Freeloader FL6001 Supercharger: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Shop at Amazon.co.uk for Freeloader FL6001 Supercharger : Electronics & Photo.

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[Dellmassive]

Remember People . .

"ALL BATERY CONNECTIONS MUST BE FUSED !"

...


@osman had trouble with a shorted solar setup with an unfused battery connection - be warned.

Melted solar cable set up

Ok I’ve had this dokio portable solar panel set up connected to my leisure battery for weeks with no issues until today when driving home the cable must have shorted and started to melt thank god I noticed before the entire van was full of smoke .. I knew the cable was not up to the job as it...

www.t6forum.com

...

 

[BuzzardBoy]

Thanks all quick Q, likely a stupid one (perhaps @Dellmassive can help?), just thinking through my mobile solar setup. I have a fixed panel on the roof (100w) attached to a victron MPPT 100v/30a. Can I run a set of mobile panels (2x100w panels) to the same victron MPPT thereby massively expanded my solar capacity for when I need it? or do I need a sperate MPPT controller?

 

[Dellmassive]

Thanks all quick Q, likely a stupid one (perhaps @Dellmassive can help?), just thinking through my mobile solar setup. I have a fixed panel on the roof (100w) attached to a victron MPPT 100v/30a. Can I run a set of mobile panels (2x100w panels) to the same victron MPPT thereby massively expanded my solar capacity for when I need it? or do I need a sperate MPPT controller?

yes you can add multiple panels . . . up to the 100/30 max

so up to 100v VOC for the panels in series.

or

up to 30A with the panels in parallel.

the average is around 6A per 100W at around 18ish volts.

+++++++++


that means whatever way you connect them that Victron will deal with it . .

 

[Ricardo T]

Check out the ‘Solar Panels Plug and Play’ thread…. I’ve done exactly that @BuzzardBoy, with the help of Dellmassive of course.

 

[Ricardo T]

 

[Dellmassive]

fyi:

'Plug and play' solar panels.

So looking to boost my solar for off grid...currently have roof mounted solar and leisure battery and wanting to add to for more flexibility. Don't have too much of an idea when it comes to this tbh.....every day is a school day.....but would a portable folding solar panel assist with this? For...

www.t6forum.com

.

 

[BuzzardBoy]

Thanks so much gents......suddenly questioned myself yesterday. Once all set up will post pics @Ricardo T collecting my Knights conversion from Jon next week

 

[EdH]

I am really pleased with my Lensun 100w foldable panels. Topped my leisure battery nicely when camping the other weekend, they folded nicely and stored under the bed. Like I said I used Victron controler which is great. The panel's once folded are not that heavy at all and easily movable around the van to track sun. Thanks to Lensun and helpful advice from @Dellmassive always regarding my cable setup and yes all battery connector cables are double fused. Some photos before we went camping when I was testing them.

 

[Dellmassive]

Yep . . . i know. I've done it again.


Say hello to the newest edition to the solar family.

100w Renogy Solar Suitcase kit. ( i did have one before, and sold it. . . so this is the latest version to replace it)

The box . .






the kit . . same setup at the 200w kit . . . just smaller.





the new Voyager 20A PWM controller.... (i already have one of these - they very good (Lifepo4 profile too))




shiny and new . .



High quality frame and panel . .






a quick test . . .




the spec . . .




..


the book . .





.

ready to go kit . .





fused clamps for temp connections . . .





PV MC4 connectors for easy connecting to other / multiple panels . .





im not keen on this MC4 battery conection . . . so im swapping it out for a Anderson battery connector.



.

 

[Skyliner33]

Nice info @Dellmassive

 

[jimc91]

@Dellmassive (or anyone) I've tested my new lensun panel today- 160W - connecting to my CTEK. The correct lights have come on and my BM2 shows the leisure battery charging nicely - happy days. When I charge the leisure battery using my Victron charger the Bluetooth readout shows me the amps/charge going in. Is there something similar to the BM2 I could connect into my system that would show me the charge going in when on solar or is that a daft question- cheers in advance, Jim

Some screen shots of what I have

 

[Dellmassive]

@jimc91

Sure..

Victron do the Smart shunt,

The goes on the Leisure battery NEG post and will give you all that data...

It uses the same vicrtron APP.

You can play with it using the victron demo on the app.

The BMV712 is the same, but with a small screen and relay outputs.

See here...

Victron Energy SHU050150050 SmartShunt Battery Monitor, 500A, Bluetooth : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science

Victron Energy SHU050150050 SmartShunt Battery Monitor, 500A, Bluetooth : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science

amzn.to

.

 

[Dellmassive]

we took the 200w Renogy suitcase to Camper Site 2021.

Camper Site / PLUS ( 2nd - 4th July 2021 )

Camper Site / PLUS ( 2nd - 4th July 2021 ) "In light of the recent news meaning that Camper Jam can not be held once again this year; we know that you guys need a weekend away as much as we do! There’s nothing better than time away with your favourite people in a fantastic space. So, while...

www.t6forum.com

it done a grand job keeping the battery box above 13.0v - even in the rain =]

12v Lithium Leisure Battery Box 138Ah 1766Wh -- How I Done It --

12v Lithium Leisure Battery Box 138Ah 1766Wh -- How I Done It -- It's about time that I got this long-overdue project sorted out. The missing parts are on order and completion is in sight . . . . . . . . ready for the Post Pandemic 2020 Camping Trips (Hopefully) This is where it started. p1...

www.t6forum.com

we had the panel sitting out the front of the tent, facing in particular direction.

And kept the included PWM controller.




.

here is another member with the 200W Renogy.




and another setup with the Lensun panel.




as you can see the weather was a bit iffy . .




.


here is the BM2 readout for the weekend.


some sunny spells this day. . . .



mostly rain this day . .




and rainy here too. .




.


You can see that the kit was giving enough power to run the loads and slightly charge the battery . . . even in the rain, but with a bright sky.


.

soo all good.

the battery box was running the Compressor fridge and all the camp lights plus ll the USB and other charging . .





plus all the blowing up AIR Beam tents and Gazebos . .

 

[Dellmassive]

Lithium leisure Batterys and PWM solar controllers - Not Advised. (But fine on any of the SLA chemistry battery types) - IMHO



Im doing some testing and come across some interesting data that leads me to advise that PWM solar controllers may not be the best thing to use with a Lifepo4 battery charging.

My advice would be to upgrade to a MPPT solar controller that has a proper Lifepo4 battery charge Profile.








more info here:

Lithium LifePo4 12v Batteries - Time For An Upgrade?

@mrdanielmh yes i have BMV712 & Smart shunts, see here:

www.t6forum.com

.

 

[YannMcHaggis]

Finally got the chance to get the Lensun solar blanket connected up and try it out! Only one problem, I have no idea what the Bluetooth password is to connect to the MPPT controller and left the instruction book at home so can’t tell you how it’s performing! ‍Oops!

Anyone know if the MPPT Pro has a default password?!