'Plug and play' solar panels.

[Dellmassive]

Think of it like trying to fill a bucket, that has a hole in it. ( The Battery )

Your solar charge controller is trying to fill the bucket, as fast as it can....this will be a function of the panel and charge controller.... 6A per 100w as a rough guess.

The fridge is the hole draining water or power.

The voltage will rise gradually as the SOC increases due to the potential difference of the charge source and battery voltage... and internal resistance.

The only way to see that immediate increase in voltage is to have a charge source that's higher than the battery can absorb.... ie 15A.

So.. just leave the solar connected... it may take 10 -24 or more hours to charge the battery.

A few hours just wont do it... (unless you have a higher charge capacity like 20A or similar)

edit:

thats why you will see that instant rise in voltage from the van engine running from your DC-DC/VSR. . . . . there is much more power available to charge the battery so the voltage will show high from the start.

The water pressure (voltage) will overcome the leak in the buck and the fill rate (current) can fill the buck faster than it is draining.

 

[James1000]

Thanks - I just couldn’t work out when the battery was at its lowest and fridge on, it was pulling in that voltage but when off and in bright sun it wasn’t a few hours later.

The battery will get a good charge down the M5 anyway this week but I’ll then monitor the solar at full charge rather than empty

 

[AussieMick]

If you have a battery monitor like a victron bmv712 you can see exactly what is going on, it should take all the confusion out.

Your battery at 11.8v is getting too low, under 50 % , try not to take it so low without charging either solar or 240v charger or alternator by driving.

Very rarely will you see full output from a solar panel, eg its rated at 9amps but even in bright sunlight it may deliver less due to angle of sun, temperature etc.
When i angle my panel directly at the sun you can see the amps rise so if you have your panel on a flat roof or not pointing at the sun you will rarely get a full output from your panel.

I've had mine in full sun with a 150w panel and the fridge compressor is running and hardly any power going back into battery as fridge is using 4amps to 5amps and panel is outputting about the same so they cancel each other out.

A shunt based battery monitor is the only true way of seeing your soc of your battery.

 

[Ricardo T]

So, really confused with Amazon atm...if I click @Dellmassive 's link above for the Victron 75/15 controller it brings the page up with the controller with a cost of £106.98...whereas if I dont go via the link it comes up at £87.99! Am I being really really dumb and missing something here as im sure it is the same unit?

 

[prog99]

Bluesolar & Smartsolar? With the latter having built in Bluetooth and thus more expensive.

 

[Ricardo T]

Ahh..ok, yup get you..thank you.

 

[prog99]

Ahh..ok, yup get you..thank you.

Bit confusing isn't it! I went with the smart solar btw.

 

[Dellmassive]

id agree, the naming convention seems a bit wrong.

SMART solar - HAS Bluetooth

BLUE solar - does NOT have Bluetooth

using the word Blue in a non-bluetooth devcice adds confusion,

i got caught out myself when i got my first 75/15 off ebay. . . . . i got the BlueSolar assuming it was the BT version.





.

 

[Ricardo T]

So purchased a BF 120w solar panel from a fellow Forum member, not been used I dont think but seems to missing a few leads and just wondering the best method of connecting up, as and when required, to my set up as on my initial post (although I've taken @Dellmassive's advice and bought a Victron Smartsolar MPPT 75 1 15 controller to replace the PU one.
I want to leave connected to the Victron a short set of flying leads and then connect in a longer set to reach the panel wherever that may be positioned. ( All using quick release couplings )
Bit confused with all the leads supplied...theres no mention in the instructions of connecting the small black box attached to the internal fabric of the storage pouch which I guess connects to the solar panels? Your advice is much appreciated as always. Thank you.

 

[Dellmassive]

Your missing 2x short conection leads from look8ng at that pic.

1x mc4 to solar input cable.

1x controler to red anderson battery output cable.

Have you got them?

Or need to make them?

 

[Ricardo T]

Your missing 2x short conection leads from look8ng at that pic.

1x mc4 to solar input cable.

1x controler to red anderson battery output cable.

Have you got them?

Or need to make them?

Thanks @Dellmassive...have Not got them so need to make/purchase them.

 

[Ricardo T]

Although the mobile solar panel comes with a controller, in pic, I guess this is not required if im going to connect to the van PU controller or the new Victron controller which is replacing the PU in time? Cheers

 

[Dellmassive]

ok . .

this is what you need:

get this MC4 PV lead and cut it down to give the the cables for the PV Solar input on the solar controller.

ASUN 4mm² 12AWG Solar Extension Cable MC4 Connector Wire Solar Panel Adapter Extension Cable 1M Long Black Red : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

ASUN 4mm² 12AWG Solar Extension Cable MC4 Connector Wire Solar Panel Adapter Extension Cable 1M Long Black Red : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

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then . . . .

get this Anderson pack.

fit one side to the solar controller. . .

then swap over the red cover for the grey cover . . . (they different colors are keyd different)

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

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you should end up with something like this. . .

make sure all battery connections are fused within inches of the battery.


note: there is a missing fuse next to the red battery clip in the pic bellow. its to be fitted before connection.





and this . . .

 

[Ricardo T]

Thats great thanks @Dellmassive...so with a temporary panel hooked up there are in fact two controllers, one by the panel and one in the van.
Can I get the fuse holders from Jeff too, and along with the set of extension cables which I think you've listed previously.
Cheers.....every day a school day!

 

[Dellmassive]

one panel -> one solar controller -> one battery. ( The basic starter setup )


so you can use either the PU one, OR the Victron SOLAR CONTROLLER.

you can Velcro the Victron in place of the PU if you wish.

you can use extension leads to mount the panel away from the van.

you can extend the PV MC4 side or the Anderson power side.

The most efficient way is to extend the PV side and leave the battery side short as possible.


Remember fuse all connections to a battery.

 

[Ricardo T]

Thanks mate

 

[Ricardo T]

Do you have recommendation for the appropriate crimping tool?

 

[Dellmassive]

sure:

this is what i use. . . . .



HS-16 for all standard crimps including Anderson connectors.

HS-16 Crimper Plier Self-Adjustable Crimping Tools Used for 1.5-16mm2 (AWG 16-5) Cable End-Sleeves : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders. Shop HS-16 Crimper Plier Self-Adjustable Crimping Tools Used for 1.5-16mm2 (AWG 16-5) Cable End-Sleeves.

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++++


standard Anderson plugs here:

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.

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++++

Red & Black heat shrink

Yakamoz 150pcs 2:1 Polyolefin H-Type Heat Shrink Tubing Tube 8 Sizes Sleeving Wire Cable Kit with Case – Black/Red : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders. Shop Yakamoz 150pcs 2:1 Polyolefin H-Type Heat Shrink Tubing Tube 8 Sizes Sleeving Wire Cable Kit with Case – Black/Red.

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++++


PV MC4 crimp kit . . .

TRAMILY Solar Crimping Tool Kit for Cable Connector for 2.5/4.0/6.0mm² Solar Panel PV Cable,6pcs Male Female Connector,1 Pair Solar Connector Assembly Tool Spanner Tool Kit : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

TRAMILY Solar Crimping Tool Kit for Cable Connector for 2.5/4.0/6.0mm² Solar Panel PV Cable,6pcs Male Female Connector,1 Pair Solar Connector Assembly Tool Spanner Tool Kit : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

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++++


have a look here at some examples . .

[Guide] DC-DC Charger (for leisure battery) -- How I Done It --

Not DC-DC exactly . . . but it looks like this MPPT will: reverse charge the starter battery @1A, run lithium, and have LTD ! ***************************** The Voltronic DUO - https://amzn.to/2Gvj3xH "The MPP-series controllers feature a second output so that some of the solar power can...

www.t6forum.com

https://www.t6forum.com/threads/guide-dc-dc-charger-for-leisure-battery-how-i-done-it.15066/post-239209

+++++








++++

more info here:

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

Hi Guys, is this any good? I would mainly use it when we camp off grid max 1-2 nights just to keep compressor fridge ticking over which is powered from 100ah leisure batt. I would ideally like suitcase model but they appear bit bulky while this one could be placed over the windscreen...

www.t6forum.com

++++

 

[Ricardo T]

Hi @Dellmassive, Just checking I've done this correctly before I put into use? ...
When I swap out my existing PU controller in my van for my new Victron controller(pictured), and want to add this solar panel to supplement the van roof solar panel....thinking out loud....(obs the battery cables from the Victron in the photo will be removed and the battery cables from the leisure batt will be installed in lieu)...should I be ok to fix 2 sets of cables to the solar input side or is a splitter or piggy back best. Cheers for all your help!

 

[Dellmassive]

Hi @Dellmassive, Just checking I've done this correctly before I put into use? ...
When I swap out my existing PU controller in my van for my new Victron controller(pictured), and want to add this solar panel to supplement the van roof solar panel....thinking out loud....(obs the battery cables from the Victron in the photo will be removed and the battery cables from the leisure batt will be installed in lieu)...should I be ok to fix 2 sets of cables to the solar input side or is a splitter or piggy back best. Cheers for all your help! View attachment 120379

Pic above looks good. - that will work great.

as for fitting in van or adding extra panels.


you need to get a set of Y or branch connectors. if you want to connect them in parallel.

like this set . . .

TRAMILY Branch Connectors, Solar Panel Connectors Y Branch in Pair MMF+FFM for Parallel Connection Between Solar Panels (1 Pair) : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science

TRAMILY Branch Connectors, Solar Panel Connectors Y Branch in Pair MMF+FFM for Parallel Connection Between Solar Panels (1 Pair) : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science

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like this . . .





....

or these . . .

ANFIL T-type MC4 Branch Cable Connectors Coupler Combiner Solar Panel - 1 Male to 4 Female (M/4F) and 1 Female to 4 Male (F/4M) : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science

ANFIL T-type MC4 Branch Cable Connectors Coupler Combiner Solar Panel - 1 Male to 4 Female (M/4F) and 1 Female to 4 Male (F/4M) : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science

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.



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