'Plug and play' solar panels.

Ricardo T

Ricardo T

Now or Never
VIP Member
T6 Legend
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 example would a Bluefusion 120w panel be plug and play? Thanks guys (@Dellmassive) :thumbsup: Current set up below..

tempImagesrSXV5.png
 
yes . . pretty much.

The BlueFusion is a plug and play kit that can be connected to any 12v battery.

more on that here:


www.t6forum.com

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

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you could also intergrade it into you existing setup by just adding some MC4 fly-leads and connecting just the bluefusion solar panel to you Photonic Universe PWM solar controller . . . in parallel with your roof mounted panel.

id also look at upgrading that solar controller for a nice MPPT one . . . like the Victron 75/15 as an example.


www.t6forum.com

Solar PWM & MPPT Controllers - How I Done It -

Solar PWM & MPPT controllers - How I Done It - There is a lot of talk about Solar at the moment, and with spring not to far away i wanted to go over the whole Solar controller thing. The main components are the Panels themselves, the charge controller (whether that be stand alone or...
www.t6forum.com www.t6forum.com


.
 
you can add some MC4 connectors to your existing solar controller here:

1621094223611.png


like these:


2.5mm Solar Extension PV Cable Wire Male & Female Connectors Solar Panel Adaptor Kit Tool : Amazon.co.uk: Garden & Outdoors

Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders. Shop 2.5mm Solar Extension PV Cable Wire Male & Female Connectors Solar Panel Adaptor Kit Tool .
amzn.to

1621094279787.png



then get an MC4 solar extension cable . . . like these. and run the leads out the van to your new mobile panels.





1621094362645.png

..

Then just connect direct to the panel . .




SARONIC 200W 12V Foldable Solar Panel Kit Monocrystaline with a 15A Solar Charge Controller for Camper, Caravanning, Motorhome Rallies, Mobile Offices 12v Battery Charging : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science

SARONIC 200W 12V Foldable Solar Panel Kit Monocrystaline with a 15A Solar Charge Controller for Camper, Caravanning, Motorhome Rallies, Mobile Offices 12v Battery Charging : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science
amzn.to





1621094452627.png






or . . .


use the solar controller that come with the solar panel . . .


then just connect to the leisure 12v battery . . with the clamps or 12v plug.
 
solar options here :


www.t6forum.com

Solar PWM & MPPT Controllers - How I Done It -

Solar PWM & MPPT controllers - How I Done It - There is a lot of talk about Solar at the moment, and with spring not to far away i wanted to go over the whole Solar controller thing. The main components are the Panels themselves, the charge controller (whether that be stand alone or...
www.t6forum.com www.t6forum.com



.
 
id recommend upgrading that PVM controller to this MPPT controller. ( a direct swap)

1621094736276.png.

...

75/15


Premium Set Victron Smart Solar MPPT 75/15 Charge Controller Regulator for Motorhomes with bluetooth : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

Premium Set Victron Smart Solar MPPT 75/15 Charge Controller Regulator for Motorhomes with bluetooth : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive
amzn.to



1621094870950.png





+++

or the larger 100/15


Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT 100V 15 amp 12/24-Volt Solar Charge Controller (Bluetooth) : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science

Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT 100V 15 amp 12/24-Volt Solar Charge Controller (Bluetooth) : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science
amzn.to






1621094758758.png
 
Dellmassive said:
you can add some MC4 connectors to your existing solar controller here:

View attachment 116225


like these:


2.5mm Solar Extension PV Cable Wire Male & Female Connectors Solar Panel Adaptor Kit Tool : Amazon.co.uk: Garden & Outdoors

Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders. Shop 2.5mm Solar Extension PV Cable Wire Male & Female Connectors Solar Panel Adaptor Kit Tool .
amzn.to

View attachment 116226



then get an MC4 solar extension cable . . . like these. and run the leads out the van to your new mobile panels.





View attachment 116227

..

Then just connect direct to the panel . .




SARONIC 200W 12V Foldable Solar Panel Kit Monocrystaline with a 15A Solar Charge Controller for Camper, Caravanning, Motorhome Rallies, Mobile Offices 12v Battery Charging : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science

SARONIC 200W 12V Foldable Solar Panel Kit Monocrystaline with a 15A Solar Charge Controller for Camper, Caravanning, Motorhome Rallies, Mobile Offices 12v Battery Charging : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science
amzn.to





View attachment 116228






or . . .


use the solar controller that come with the solar panel . . .


then just connect to the leisure 12v battery . . with the clamps or 12v plug.
Click to expand...
Are those Saronic panels any good?
 
Dont know, I've not tested them.

Just using as an example...

The spec show a low power output.... 21v @ 6.6A for 200w is low? Id expect 12A.

Could be a typo.... the only way to know for sure is testing.
 
I have an Anderson plug mounted discreetly on the sill under drivers door. This is wired in parallel to my permanent roof mounted panel.
I can connect up to 2 panels in to it when needed.
Especially good when van parked in the shade and you can put the panel/s out in the sun.
Or have all panels connected to maximize solar input on a cloudy day.
Only limit is how many amps my mppt solar controller can use.
 
Ricardo T said:
Can you remote monitor the MPPT 75/15 controller, doesn't look like you can?
Click to expand...
Yes you can....

the MPPTs , they come in two versions . . . one with Bluetooth and one with out (smart solar & Bluesolar)

the bluetooth version (SmartSolar) has local monitoring. - via the APP.

you can connect the Victron kit to the cloud via the Free VRM portal - VRM Portal - Victron Energy

you need a "box" to connect the victron kit to the cloud - either Raspbery Pie, Lomax or Sim Box.

and once setup you can also use the same APP, for local via Bluetooth or Remote via VRM Cloud.

but its all easy and basically plug and play.

the kit conects via the VE-Direct port on the victron kit.

1621155308814.png

here is my VRM solar shed which is online . . .

www.t6forum.com

Solar Sheds & Other Non-t6 Solar Projects - How We Done It -

Solar Sheds & Other Non-T6 Solar Projects - How We Done It - @Pete C requested it, so here it is . . . . . Dell, What do the batteries in your shed power ? I too have a solar powered shed - perhaps we should have a separate thread for sheds :) Pete Lets Post here any NON - T6 related ECO...
www.t6forum.com www.t6forum.com


this is the console:

1621154563960.png1621154491993.png

.
this is the MPPT 100/20

1621154514357.png

.

this is the BMV712

1621154540604.png



this is the VRM loggin page.


1621154604950.png



.

and some of todays data . . .
1621154644678.png



i went down the Pie route to get mine online.





..



but they now do an all in one box SIM based with 5yrs included data .

GlobalLink 520 - Victron Energy

We believe that having insight into your installation is a key factor in maintaining and operating your off-grid energy solutions.
www.victronenergy.com www.victronenergy.com

1621155176293.png


.




​

Remote Monitoring and Control​

Remotely control and monitor the extensive features of your SmartSolar MPPT charger with built-in Bluetooth by pairing it with your smartphone or other device via VictronConnect. If your installation is connected to the internet with a GX device, the Victron Remote Management Portal (VRM) provides access to the full power of your MPPT, anytime, anywhere; both VictronConnect and VRM are free to use. For remote installations - even when there is no internet connection nearby - you may be able to monitor your MPPT by connecting the GlobalLink 520.



...

1621154529201.png
 
What are people replacing the croc clips with for a permanent set up to the the battery that can be disconnected ? i.e. a short lead and connectors
 
Just looked at that portable blue fusion kit.
I have 0 controllers for any form of solar, so this kit literally is out the bag, onto my leisure battery and away you go?
Seems to easy?
thargo.com

BlueFusion Portable Folding Solar Panel 50W/100W/120W for Outdoors

Lightweight, Portable, Folding panels made from High efficiency Mono German Solar Cells. Inbuilt controller to charge battery and mobile devices with USB.
thargo.com thargo.com
 
James1000 said:
What are people replacing the croc clips with for a permanent set up to the the battery that can be disconnected ? i.e. a short lead and connectors
Click to expand...
any connectors you like provided its rated for the max current . . . 5A, 10A, 15A.

Anderson connectors are popular. 50A max


Battery Connector 50 Amps 600V Quick Connection Plug for Anderson Powerpole, 10 PCS Gray : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

Buy Battery Connector 50 Amps 600V Quick Connection Plug for Anderson Powerpole, 10 PCS Gray at Amazon UK. Free delivery on eligible orders.
amzn.to

1621178686208.png
++++


0.5m 4.0mm cable with 50A battery plug on one end, a 10A fuse, and 8mm ring (eyelet) battery terminals on the other end, suitable for Photonic Universe folding solar charging kits: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy 0.5m 4.0mm cable with 50A battery plug on one end, a 10A fuse, and 8mm ring (eyelet) battery terminals on the other end, suitable for Photonic Universe folding solar charging kits at Amazon UK.
amzn.to




1621178804593.png
++++

VORCOOL One Pair 50A 600V Battery Quick Disconnect Connector Plug Trailer Winch Connector with 25cm Cables (Grey) : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science

VORCOOL One Pair 50A 600V Battery Quick Disconnect Connector Plug Trailer Winch Connector with 25cm Cables (Grey) : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science
amzn.to



1621178769729.png

++++

as are power pole : 30A max


30A Quick Connect Battery Connectors - Modular Power Connectors with Quick Disconnect : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

Buy 30A Quick Connect Battery Connectors - Modular Power Connectors with Quick Disconnect at Amazon UK. Free delivery on eligible orders.
amzn.to




1621178733042.png





++++

have a look at the quick disconects over here:

www.t6forum.com

Battery Chargers - How I Did It -

Battery Chargers - How I Did It - So its that time of year again, cold, rainy. . . . . . . flat battery =[ This time we look at Battery Chargers. Our vans will most likely come with a AGM style starter battery, for this type of battery we need a "Smart Charger" . . . . but what does this...
www.t6forum.com www.t6forum.com


++++



i like these Victron cables / . . . .


Victron Energy M6 Eyelet Connector for Blue Smart IP65 (30 amp ATO fuse) : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

Victron Energy M6 Eyelet Connector for Blue Smart IP65 (30 amp ATO fuse) : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive
amzn.to





1621178917223.png



++++


just get this cable and cut it in half for both sides of the conector . . . job done.


Victron Energy 6.56 ft Extension Cable for Blue Power IP65 Battery Charger : Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Victron Energy 6.56 ft Extension Cable for Blue Power IP65 Battery Charger : Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo
amzn.to


1621178984888.png
 
AussieMick said:
I have an Anderson plug mounted discreetly on the sill under drivers door. This is wired in parallel to my permanent roof mounted panel.
I can connect up to 2 panels in to it when needed.
Especially good when van parked in the shade and you can put the panel/s out in the sun.
Or have all panels connected to maximize solar input on a cloudy day.
Only limit is how many amps my mppt solar controller can use.
Click to expand...
Any chance of a bit more detail/pic please and is there an easy route in the cab area? Sounds better than going through my slightly open window!!
 
@Scarfaz1 I bought the two cables from my Anderson plug into the cab via the rubber grommet that is under the drivers seat as that is close to my battery.
Try to keep all solar cables as short as possible.
You can also come through the firewall in the engine bay but could be more stuffing around.
Another grommet is under the passenger seat, depends where your leisure battery is located.
My exterior Anderson plug has a rubber cover that keeps out moisture and in 3 years I've had no trouble.
Anderson plug is wired in parallel to cable from roof solar panel and then goes to mppt controller.
This gives me up to 500watts of solar input , that is the limit of my mppt controller but charges leisure battery quicker which is what I wanted in hot weather due to fridge cycling more often and drawing more power.
 
AussieMick said:
@Scarfaz1 I bought the two cables from my Anderson plug into the cab via the rubber grommet that is under the drivers seat as that is close to my battery.
Try to keep all solar cables as short as possible.
You can also come through the firewall in the engine bay but could be more stuffing around.
Another grommet is under the passenger seat, depends where your leisure battery is located.
My exterior Anderson plug has a rubber cover that keeps out moisture and in 3 years I've had no trouble.
Anderson plug is wired in parallel to cable from roof solar panel and then goes to mppt controller.
This gives me up to 500watts of solar input , that is the limit of my mppt controller but charges leisure battery quicker which is what I wanted in hot weather due to fridge cycling more often and drawing more power.
Click to expand...
@AussieMick Cheers for that, my battery and controller are also under driver's seat so sounds good. Trying to find the easiest quickest way to connect without having to open windows or bonnet etc.
 
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