Solar panel

Laughing Gravy · Newbie

Solar panel

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Welcome to the gang Paul and Val, enjoy here and out in the playground.

I had both, 450W on roof of aluminium tent and a solar blanket. After the initial test of the blanket I never needed it after 4 years so only a month ago gave it to my daughter for their new camper trailer.

Keep safe on the roads and out there.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Lots of roof mounted.
Set and forget. We have better things to do that mess about moving panels.
Cheers,
Peter

Jaahn · Guru

hi smile

My thoughts having done both ! Fixed on the roof is easier and always working if the sun is on it. If that is enough to 'keep the lights on' and give enough power then fit and forget, but the flat on the roof position is not the best for power.

If you need more power or like to park in the shade then a portable panel does enable you to get more power by chasing the sun, moving it a few times a day to a good angle and position, to optimise the power. But you do need to do some work and security is not so good.

Your choice. Or just get two panels and fix them !

jaahn

Whenarewethere · Guru

We have a portable solar panel. Didn't use it once on our last trip BC (before covid). The longest we stayed in one place was 4 nights & the car will charge up enough before we next stop for the night.

We can go 7 days off the battery.

yobarr · Guru

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Lots of roof mounted.
Set and forget. We have better things to do that mess about moving panels.
Cheers,
Peter

X2.No brainer really! Cheers

Whenarewethere · Guru

yobarr wrote:
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Lots of roof mounted.
Set and forget. We have better things to do that mess about moving panels.
Cheers,
Peter
X2.No brainer really! Cheers

X3, for 3 months our panel are on the roof.

oldbloke · Guru

Jaahn wrote:
hi
My thoughts having done both ! Fixed on the roof is easier and always working if the sun is on it. If that is enough to 'keep the lights on' and give enough power then fit and forget, but the flat on the roof position is not the best for power.
If you need more power or like to park in the shade then a portable panel does enable you to get more power by chasing the sun, moving it a few times a day to a good angle and position, to optimise the power. But you do need to do some work and security is not so good.
Your choice. Or just get two panels and fix them !
jaahn

Yep. I have 160 on roof and a 120 portable. Only move portable 3 or 4 times a day.

P.S. if you don't want to move it just lay it on the ground.

-- Edited by oldbloke on Monday 30th of August 2021 06:18:19 PM

bomurra · Veteran Member

Hello Paul and Val,

I hope you enjoy your new toy.

A portable panel gives you the opportunity to park in the shade and still charge the batteries, something to consider if you are venturing to warmer climes.

Hope this help.

Bob.

Mike Harding · Guru

The 120W panel on my caravan roof is all but useless when I camp in the forest however my 160W portable panels do quite well if the tree cover is not too dense and I move them three or four times per day.

Whenarewethere · Guru

Mike Harding wrote:
The 120W panel on my caravan roof is all but useless when I camp in the forest however my 160W portable panels do quite well if the tree cover is not too dense and I move them three or four times per day.

Agree.

Make sure you have enough cable. My panels plug in at the rear of the car, but if the available sun is out the front you need additional cable just to get past the car.

If desperate I can use my jumper leads for an additional 6 metres, totalling 20 metres.