Solar Power

TimTim · TimTim

I have two 155W solar panels on my caravan roof and wanted to add another. As I couldnt get one of the same make from the van manufacturer I bought a 175W Victron panel which has very similar specifications. However, Victron do not make solar panels so it will have been rebranded from another manufact...

oldbloke · oldbloke

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/124058054594?hash=item1ce26fafc2:g:e9oAAOSwk8hhOs-r&frce...

unusedname · unusedname

Hi, this is my first post, I have been reading and soaking up information for a while, but now I need some help, I will be leaving in a week or 2 and want to make sure the refrigeration is reliable. I have a Lvyuan DX-GAC1000W, and I have used it on a Chiq 200 litre 2 door fridge, and a Westinghouse freezer, i...

maids · maids

We are having sola put in our VW Crafter lwb 35 Where you advise we put a 2000 or 3000 watt inverter, thinking about heat it will make

Mike Harding · Mike Harding

Don't get carried away by hype or posts about how solar will solve all your problems, it has much merit but has limitations too: 13th May 2022, 3pm, 20km north of Kerang north western Victoria: 4 X 200W freestanding solar panels facing the sun feeding into a Victron MPPT controller producing 60W as the...

LC80 · LC80

Hi All, I was hoping for some recommendations on a 20A to 30A mppt controller for lead acid deep cycle with 2 80w portable panels in series. Currently looking sub $140 at Renogy Li 20 , 30 Tracer AN BN (AN seems to be re-badged at jaycar. ) Kickass Tm. ??? Wondering if the cheap Bluetooth available is wor...

Warren-Pat_01 · Warren-Pat_01

I've recently purchased another panel that is as close in specification as the original as possible. Connecting them in parallel, I'm thinking the best place to do this is just before the controller, using the same cable as before. A friend suggested using those "Y" connector cords but I see issues w...

dorian · dorian

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-01/australias-largest-solar-array-warrnambool-hamilton/101488198

Gary and Barb · Gary and Barb

I have a Trayon slide-on and recently upgraded my batteries with two lithium 100ah set up in series. I keep it all charged with a 250w solar panel. The resultant 200ah of stored power is ample to run the fridge (2.5ah), water pump, diesel hot water and lighting for weeks, but because I do a lot of remote ca...

OKA · OKA

My 2 Enerdrive 40A MPPT chargers are each connected to their own solar panel string. I did this because the panels are of different vintages/brands and keeping them seperate gives best efficiency. They can be connected as a single string and possibly lose 10-15% of their power but I chose not to. Howe...

Mike Harding · Mike Harding

From time-to-time most of us who rely upon solar panels and batteries for our energy will experience occasions when the sun doesn't shine for a few days and the batteries are depleting rapidly. If, like me, you also carry a generator you have an option to put some additional charge into the batteries f...

Warren-Pat_01 · Warren-Pat_01

Hello everyone, My use for DC power in our caravan is quite low - a couple of LED lights, the TV & very occasionally the pump. I have recently added another 55w solar panel, in theory giving me 110w. Having had the gas struts regassed has certainly assisted in lifting the roof - one reason why I kept th...

Bazz61 · Bazz61

Could someone tell me how to work out the energy use running continuously. Fridge is not working well and compressor not shutting off, Freezer is working fine. Lithium batteries (4x70 ah) go from 14.1 to 13.2 in about 2 hours after dark , turn fridge off and they hold at 13.2. I suspect the fridge thermo...

Mike Harding · Mike Harding

I'm currently camped at around latitude 34d south and decided, it being 2nd May, to change the angle of my solar panels to their winter setting; or from about 45d to 60d. Doing so has increased panel output by about 11% as determined from an 11am test. When I made the legs for these 4 x 200W panels I calcula...

Gus1949 · Gus1949

I recently purchased a 120watt portable solar panel for use with my caravan.Today I used a multimeter to measure the voltage output and found while I was getting 20V on the input to the controller I was only getting about 2.5V on the out put side. Does the panel have to be connected to a load (e.g. a batter...

Stretch60 · Stretch60

Hi all, I recently installed a 400ah lithium setup with victron controllers into my van. Has been working well until last night opt for unpowered site as nothing else left anyway. Used lights,TV (satellite) but kept everything to minimum and went to bed with over 12.5v remaining. Woke up about 4.30a...

Allgorn · Allgorn

Hi guy, I have a Jayco outback journey deluxe pop top, with a single agm deep cycle battery connected through a J35B control node 102 this is displayed through a BmPro, control hub. My question is, I would like to connect another battery in Parallel, if I turn the isolation switch off and solar input off...

RichardK · RichardK

After much procrastinating we finally obtained a solar blanket to lessen the use of the generator in certain conditions. Got a cheapie to see how it will go and will try out in the next couple of weeks. Spent a day last week making up a portable stand for it and here is the results, no doubt some tweaking wi...

Bas + Eve · Bas + Eve

Looking to the future. We presently have 3 x 130ah AGM batteries and will replace with Lithium. Will I need 3? We have 2x 200w panels and run a small 600 inverter for the wifi. We dont have any problems of supply but of course 4 weeks of overcast and rain stretches the system. We have a 3.6kw Cummins genny as...

dorian · dorian

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220511-can-gravity-batteries-solve-our-energy-storage-problemsGravitricity,

Topic		Started By	Replies	Views	Last Post
	Victron Solar Panel (Preview) I have two 155W solar panels on my caravan roof and wanted to add another. As I couldnt get one of the same make from the van manufacturer I bought a 175W Victron panel which has very similar specifications. However, Victron do not make solar panels so it will have been rebranded from another manufact...	TimTim	9	211	06:46 PM Dec 7, 2022 by Whenarewethere
	Light weight flexible panels ( 1 2 ) (Preview) https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/124058054594?hash=item1ce26fafc2:g:e9oAAOSwk8hhOs-r&frce...	oldbloke	43	2357	10:29 PM Dec 1, 2022 by TimTim
	Inverter for fridges (Preview) Hi, this is my first post, I have been reading and soaking up information for a while, but now I need some help, I will be leaving in a week or 2 and want to make sure the refrigeration is reliable. I have a Lvyuan DX-GAC1000W, and I have used it on a Chiq 200 litre 2 door fridge, and a Westinghouse freezer, i...	unusedname	24	699	06:57 PM Dec 1, 2022 by DeBe
	Inverter position ( 1 2 ) (Preview) We are having sola put in our VW Crafter lwb 35 Where you advise we put a 2000 or 3000 watt inverter, thinking about heat it will make	maids	33	945	10:42 AM Nov 28, 2022 by maids
	Solar panel output (Preview) Don't get carried away by hype or posts about how solar will solve all your problems, it has much merit but has limitations too: 13th May 2022, 3pm, 20km north of Kerang north western Victoria: 4 X 200W freestanding solar panels facing the sun feeding into a Victron MPPT controller producing 60W as the...	Mike Harding	12	836	04:30 PM Nov 17, 2022 by Dick0
	Cheap MPPT Recommendations (Preview) Hi All, I was hoping for some recommendations on a 20A to 30A mppt controller for lead acid deep cycle with 2 80w portable panels in series. Currently looking sub $140 at Renogy Li 20 , 30 Tracer AN BN (AN seems to be re-badged at jaycar. ) Kickass Tm. ??? Wondering if the cheap Bluetooth available is wor...	LC80	25	1832	04:26 PM Nov 13, 2022 by TimTim
	Where is the best place to parallel identical panels? (Preview) I've recently purchased another panel that is as close in specification as the original as possible. Connecting them in parallel, I'm thinking the best place to do this is just before the controller, using the same cable as before. A friend suggested using those "Y" connector cords but I see issues w...	Warren-Pat_01	9	634	10:07 PM Nov 12, 2022 by unusedname
	Solar panels on pontoon in water catchment (Preview) https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-01/australias-largest-solar-array-warrnambool-hamilton/101488198	dorian	5	697	10:20 PM Oct 1, 2022 by Warren-Pat_01
	Inverters ( 1 2 ) (Preview) I have a Trayon slide-on and recently upgraded my batteries with two lithium 100ah set up in series. I keep it all charged with a 250w solar panel. The resultant 200ah of stored power is ample to run the fridge (2.5ah), water pump, diesel hot water and lighting for weeks, but because I do a lot of remote ca...	Gary and Barb	34	2145	06:28 PM Oct 1, 2022 by Dick0
	Wasted solar when driving - solved (Preview) My 2 Enerdrive 40A MPPT chargers are each connected to their own solar panel string. I did this because the panels are of different vintages/brands and keeping them seperate gives best efficiency. They can be connected as a single string and possibly lose 10-15% of their power but I chose not to. Howe...	OKA	8	562	09:06 AM Sep 29, 2022 by Cupie
	A poor man's battery charger ( 1 2 ) (Preview) From time-to-time most of us who rely upon solar panels and batteries for our energy will experience occasions when the sun doesn't shine for a few days and the batteries are depleting rapidly. If, like me, you also carry a generator you have an option to put some additional charge into the batteries f...	Mike Harding	32	2497	09:58 PM Sep 18, 2022 by Warren-Pat_01
	Questions - solar charging (Preview) Hello everyone, My use for DC power in our caravan is quite low - a couple of LED lights, the TV & very occasionally the pump. I have recently added another 55w solar panel, in theory giving me 110w. Having had the gas struts regassed has certainly assisted in lifting the roof - one reason why I kept th...	Warren-Pat_01	3	349	09:26 PM Sep 18, 2022 by Warren-Pat_01
	nova kool rfs7501 power usage (Preview) Could someone tell me how to work out the energy use running continuously. Fridge is not working well and compressor not shutting off, Freezer is working fine. Lithium batteries (4x70 ah) go from 14.1 to 13.2 in about 2 hours after dark , turn fridge off and they hold at 13.2. I suspect the fridge thermo...	Bazz61	5	348	08:22 PM Sep 18, 2022 by TimTim
	Solar panel angle ( 1 2 ) (Preview) I'm currently camped at around latitude 34d south and decided, it being 2nd May, to change the angle of my solar panels to their winter setting; or from about 45d to 60d. Doing so has increased panel output by about 11% as determined from an 11am test. When I made the legs for these 4 x 200W panels I calcula...	Mike Harding	49	3244	07:18 AM Sep 18, 2022 by Cassie63
	Solar controller voltage output ( 1 2 ) (Preview) I recently purchased a 120watt portable solar panel for use with my caravan.Today I used a multimeter to measure the voltage output and found while I was getting 20V on the input to the controller I was only getting about 2.5V on the out put side. Does the panel have to be connected to a load (e.g. a batter...	Gus1949	35	4179	11:12 AM Aug 18, 2022 by Whenarewethere
	Help Power suddenly depleted (Preview) Hi all, I recently installed a 400ah lithium setup with victron controllers into my van. Has been working well until last night opt for unpowered site as nothing else left anyway. Used lights,TV (satellite) but kept everything to minimum and went to bed with over 12.5v remaining. Woke up about 4.30a...	Stretch60	27	1177	08:03 AM Jul 23, 2022 by Stretch60
	Bmpro control Hub question (Preview) Hi guy, I have a Jayco outback journey deluxe pop top, with a single agm deep cycle battery connected through a J35B control node 102 this is displayed through a BmPro, control hub. My question is, I would like to connect another battery in Parallel, if I turn the isolation switch off and solar input off...	Allgorn	2	547	10:25 PM Jul 13, 2022 by Allgorn
	Solar Blanket Stand (Preview) After much procrastinating we finally obtained a solar blanket to lessen the use of the generator in certain conditions. Got a cheapie to see how it will go and will try out in the next couple of weeks. Spent a day last week making up a portable stand for it and here is the results, no doubt some tweaking wi...	RichardK	15	2014	05:45 PM Jul 12, 2022 by RichardK
	Batteries (Preview) Looking to the future. We presently have 3 x 130ah AGM batteries and will replace with Lithium. Will I need 3? We have 2x 200w panels and run a small 600 inverter for the wifi. We dont have any problems of supply but of course 4 weeks of overcast and rain stretches the system. We have a 3.6kw Cummins genny as...	Bas + Eve	10	1092	09:00 PM Jun 5, 2022 by woofta and precious
	Excess solar into grid (Preview) https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220511-can-gravity-batteries-solve-our-energy-storage-problemsGravitricity,	dorian	9	753	04:51 PM Jun 2, 2022 by Rob Driver
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