Hi , all , we are new " Grey Nomads " and are having fun setting up our Prado and Goldstream Crown camper , we have a dual battery setup in the Prado , which powers our 40lt Waeco , and there is also an Anderson lead that plugs into the camper , which trickle powers the campers 100amp deep cycle batt . Items that the campers battery powers ,are the led lights , the water tanks pump , hot water gas ignition , and the rarely used stove/hot plates , we have been looking at the options of solar panels We can have a 120-150 watt panel fitted to the roof of the camper , and an extra Anderson plug from solar panel to plug into the Prado's anderson lead to power the Prado's deep cycle when we are camped , or as a few retailers have suggested , the camper hasn't got many battery powered items , we maybe better with a 120 watt portable folding panels , The Prado's roof racks will usually have a kayak on them , so a solar panel wont work , There is a company in SA , that have there own manufactured Blue Apple solar panels and also sell "Thumper" batteries , Any feedback or other options greatly appreciated , cheers john
-- Edited by JaCaDaK on Thursday 30th of January 2020 01:57:59 PM
-- Edited by JaCaDaK on Thursday 30th of January 2020 01:59:28 PM
No, they do not have "their own manufactured" solar panels. At best, they put their own label onto what they buy from somewhere else.
Ask to see the original manufacturer's label from the back of the panels. It would have had one when they purchased it. With that information, you can check the validity.
If they have removed it or won't show you, move on.
Cheers,
Peter
Whenarewethere said
02:26 PM Jan 30, 2020
Try to avoid folding panels, no one likes dragging then in & out. I have to have a set but try to avoid using it which I usually can.
I would stick the panels on the roof of the camper. But you will need to increase the area as the sun will never always be directly overhead.
Maybe look at 2 panels in series & use a MPPT controller, as close as possible to the car's battery as that's where your main batteries are.
Use 6awg cable to reduce losses as you will have wiring running back & forth. I would even use 4awg between batteries from car to camper.
Get the wiring right as it is the most painful thing to upgrade.
My setup, gets a bit convoluted towards the end of the thread!
John, Folding panels are good for the purpose they are designed for..........portability and can be in the sun while your camper is in the shade.
Fixed also have their advantages..........not having to store somewhere when not in use and are charging most of the time on the roof.
So to me, you need to weigh up the cost of a 200w fixed and fitted panel with controller against the cheaper folding panel and the need to store every time you move.
I have both........2 x 150w fixed and 1 x 160w portable folding, long trips I carry both where on shorter ones I don't bother with the folding one.
Don't skimp on the wattage, you might as well get as much as you can while you are going to the effort anyway.
Cheers Bob
JaCaDaK said
05:09 PM Jan 30, 2020
hi , thanks for your input , i spoke to the "Home of 12Volt" that sells the "Blue Apple" solar systems , they are Chinese panels made by robots and the "Home of 12 Volt" factory build the frames and fit all the electrics to the panels , all parts are water proof , 10 year structural warranty and 25 year performance warranty I loaded some pics , they appear to be one of the better built setups available in SA , and they also sell roof top setups , and can arrange installation , we are still deciding on camper roof solar system or portable folding panels , sometimes we will be taking our boat only , with car fridge and awning / tent , and other times camper and kayak , thanks john
thanks for your prompt reply , great advice , I am all ears at the moment , all the people I know with caravans all have at least one solar panel on the roof , no portable panels , and the other people with "Cub Camper" types have generators or the very cheap folding panels , so I have to decide whats going to suit , especially if we go off camping and take our boat and use our car awning and tent , and the other times when we take the camper and a kayak , maybe I need to look at getting both setups , if my "financial adviser/supplier " will agree , cheers john
JaCaDaK said
05:37 PM Jan 30, 2020
thanks Bobdown , I will speak to Goldstream Caravans service and ask whats the max weight and best roof location on our windup Crown , it already has a Fiamma wind out awning on one side , and then speak to my "financial adviser/supplier" about getting both setups , folding panels would be handy when we go camping with just the boat and awning /tent , cheers john
Bobdown said
06:11 PM Jan 30, 2020
John,
The price of that panel in your pics seems unusually high, have a look at Kings panels from the 4WD Supacentre or search around, you can get similar panels cheaper.
The cheapest part of the whole exercise is the solar panels.
It's the wiring, controller, plugs & maybe labour costs, which are by far the most expensive part. So put the research in so the job is done once only!
Jaahn said
11:01 AM Jan 31, 2020
Hi John
I suggest you look at other threads in this forum for previously posted comments on portable panels. Lots of discussion. I have given my opinion more than once as have several others.
But to sum-up. Portable panels have a use and can be good if you want to chase the sun for max power, particularly if parked under a tree for shade. I have used them in the past. But they are heavy and you need to get them out and also store them when travelling. Security also may be a worry.
The down side is first the cost of most bought sets. Waay to much for a very ordinary bit of kit. I made up a couple of portable panels out of normal panels off ebay and did the wiring and stuff myself, for a third that price. Having the regulator on the panels is the worst place for it. It should be near the battery to work well and it should be at least a three stage regulator, preferably adjustable voltages to get max life out of your battery. Next thing is the weight of folding set to handle. I did disconnected mine and used plugs and sockets to make handling easier. But I am older !
Jaahn
Mamil said
07:11 PM Feb 1, 2020
I have both fixed panels on the caravan roof, and a portable "solar blanket". I can use one or other, or both together in parallel.
I find the solar blankets more convenient than traditional folding panels as they are lighter (no frames), fold up smaller, and don't have any sharp edges/exposed glass & metal for storage. Of course they are more expensive and slightly less efficient, but just something to consider.
Picture isn't of mine, just a random example off the internet...
Hi , all , we are new " Grey Nomads " and are having fun setting up our Prado and Goldstream Crown camper , we have a dual battery setup in the Prado , which powers our 40lt Waeco , and there is also an Anderson lead that plugs into the camper , which trickle powers the campers 100amp deep cycle batt . Items that the campers battery powers ,are the led lights , the water tanks pump , hot water gas ignition , and the rarely used stove/hot plates , we have been looking at the options of solar panels We can have a 120-150 watt panel fitted to the roof of the camper , and an extra Anderson plug from solar panel to plug into the Prado's anderson lead to power the Prado's deep cycle when we are camped , or as a few retailers have suggested , the camper hasn't got many battery powered items , we maybe better with a 120 watt portable folding panels , The Prado's roof racks will usually have a kayak on them , so a solar panel wont work , There is a company in SA , that have there own manufactured Blue Apple solar panels and also sell "Thumper" batteries , Any feedback or other options greatly appreciated , cheers john
-- Edited by JaCaDaK on Thursday 30th of January 2020 01:57:59 PM
-- Edited by JaCaDaK on Thursday 30th of January 2020 01:59:28 PM
Ask to see the original manufacturer's label from the back of the panels. It would have had one when they purchased it. With that information, you can check the validity.
If they have removed it or won't show you, move on.
Cheers,
Peter
Try to avoid folding panels, no one likes dragging then in & out. I have to have a set but try to avoid using it which I usually can.
I would stick the panels on the roof of the camper. But you will need to increase the area as the sun will never always be directly overhead.
Maybe look at 2 panels in series & use a MPPT controller, as close as possible to the car's battery as that's where your main batteries are.
Use 6awg cable to reduce losses as you will have wiring running back & forth. I would even use 4awg between batteries from car to camper.
Get the wiring right as it is the most painful thing to upgrade.
My setup, gets a bit convoluted towards the end of the thread!
https://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t65231112/custom-6x20-watts-solar-setup-with-mppt/
Fixed also have their advantages..........not having to store somewhere when not in use and are charging most of the time on the roof.
So to me, you need to weigh up the cost of a 200w fixed and fitted panel with controller against the cheaper folding panel and the need to store every time you move.
I have both........2 x 150w fixed and 1 x 160w portable folding, long trips I carry both where on shorter ones I don't bother with the folding one.
Don't skimp on the wattage, you might as well get as much as you can while you are going to the effort anyway.
Cheers Bob
hi , thanks for your input , i spoke to the "Home of 12Volt" that sells the "Blue Apple" solar systems , they are Chinese panels made by robots and the "Home of 12 Volt" factory build the frames and fit all the electrics to the panels , all parts are water proof , 10 year structural warranty and 25 year performance warranty I loaded some pics , they appear to be one of the better built setups available in SA , and they also sell roof top setups , and can arrange installation , we are still deciding on camper roof solar system or portable folding panels , sometimes we will be taking our boat only , with car fridge and awning / tent , and other times camper and kayak , thanks john
thanks for your prompt reply , great advice , I am all ears at the moment , all the people I know with caravans all have at least one solar panel on the roof , no portable panels , and the other people with "Cub Camper" types have generators or the very cheap folding panels , so I have to decide whats going to suit , especially if we go off camping and take our boat and use our car awning and tent , and the other times when we take the camper and a kayak , maybe I need to look at getting both setups , if my "financial adviser/supplier " will agree , cheers john
thanks Bobdown , I will speak to Goldstream Caravans service and ask whats the max weight and best roof location on our windup Crown , it already has a Fiamma wind out awning on one side , and then speak to my "financial adviser/supplier" about getting both setups , folding panels would be handy when we go camping with just the boat and awning /tent , cheers john
The price of that panel in your pics seems unusually high, have a look at Kings panels from the 4WD Supacentre or search around, you can get similar panels cheaper.
Cheers Bob
www.4wdsupacentre.com.au/products/solar/adventure-kings-160w-solar-panel.html
The cheapest part of the whole exercise is the solar panels.
It's the wiring, controller, plugs & maybe labour costs, which are by far the most expensive part. So put the research in so the job is done once only!
Hi John
I suggest you look at other threads in this forum for previously posted comments on portable panels. Lots of discussion. I have given my opinion more than once as have several others.
But to sum-up. Portable panels have a use and can be good if you want to chase the sun for max power, particularly if parked under a tree for shade. I have used them in the past. But they are heavy and you need to get them out and also store them when travelling. Security also may be a worry.
The down side is first the cost of most bought sets. Waay to much for a very ordinary bit of kit. I made up a couple of portable panels out of normal panels off ebay and did the wiring and stuff myself, for a third that price. Having the regulator on the panels is the worst place for it. It should be near the battery to work well and it should be at least a three stage regulator, preferably adjustable voltages to get max life out of your battery. Next thing is the weight of folding set to handle. I did disconnected mine and used plugs and sockets to make handling easier. But I am older !
Jaahn
I have both fixed panels on the caravan roof, and a portable "solar blanket". I can use one or other, or both together in parallel.
I find the solar blankets more convenient than traditional folding panels as they are lighter (no frames), fold up smaller, and don't have any sharp edges/exposed glass & metal for storage. Of course they are more expensive and slightly less efficient, but just something to consider.
Picture isn't of mine, just a random example off the internet...