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

Wow... An incredible amount of information here. Thanks to everyone that contributed but especially Dellmassive of course. It's taken me days to read this thread! :D
Did I read it right earlier that you can just plug a solar panel with controller straight into the cigarette lighter socket to charge the starter battery?! I haven't picked up my van yet..... But does this still work with the ignition off? Or did I miss an extra modification that's needed? I'm not good with electrics.... Sorry for the dumbass questions... There will be more I'm afraid. :whistle:

I plan on adding a mobile solar to my setup when I get it. I was thinking that my preferred solution would be to hardwire the mppt controller onto the leisure battery and have a long extension cable to my panels so I can move them around.

Looking forward to being part of this community.... Will introduce myself in the appropriate thread later tonight....:thumbsup:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Lumbo said:
Wow... An incredible amount of information here. Thanks to everyone that contributed but especially Dellmassive of course. It's taken me days to read this thread! :D
Did I read it right earlier that you can just plug a solar panel with controller straight into the cigarette lighter socket to charge the starter battery?! I haven't picked up my van yet..... But does this still work with the ignition off? Or did I miss an extra modification that's needed? I'm not good with electrics.... Sorry for the dumbass questions... There will be more I'm afraid. :whistle:

I plan on adding a mobile solar to my setup when I get it. I was thinking that my preferred solution would be to hardwire the mppt controller onto the leisure battery and have a long extension cable to my panels so I can move them around.

Looking forward to being part of this community.... Will introduce myself in the appropriate thread later tonight....:thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Yes.

One factory battery (starter) means both are permanent live (T6 anyway), factory 2nd battery means one goes each.
 
Would this me ok to go straight into the dash 12v socket, i think the 12v plug can be connected directly to the sola panel without the charge controller
www.ebay.co.uk

800W Caravan Solar Panel 100A Controller Kit 12V Battery Charger RV/Camping Boat | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 800W Caravan Solar Panel 100A Controller Kit 12V Battery Charger RV/Camping Boat at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.
www.ebay.co.uk
 
markt6uk said:
Would this me ok to go straight into the dash 12v socket, i think the 12v plug can be connected directly to the sola panel without the charge controller
www.ebay.co.uk

800W Caravan Solar Panel 100A Controller Kit 12V Battery Charger RV/Camping Boat | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 800W Caravan Solar Panel 100A Controller Kit 12V Battery Charger RV/Camping Boat at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.
www.ebay.co.uk
Click to expand...
No, it would need to be connected via the controller. Also it looks very small to be able to produce 800W so I’d be very suspicious about the advertising.
 
markt6uk said:
Would this me ok to go straight into the dash 12v socket, i think the 12v plug can be connected directly to the sola panel without the charge controller
www.ebay.co.uk

800W Caravan Solar Panel 100A Controller Kit 12V Battery Charger RV/Camping Boat | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 800W Caravan Solar Panel 100A Controller Kit 12V Battery Charger RV/Camping Boat at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.
www.ebay.co.uk
Click to expand...
The spelling errors if nothing else give it away as a scam.
 
I'm looking at getting a dash mounted 20w or similar starter battery trickle charger via the permanent on cig lighter socket.
My issue is my driveway is on the north side of the house and gets little to move sun. I could reposition the vehicle on the road which would give some sun but obviously not ideal.
Would a such a small panel get enough energy in the shade to the starter battery to make it worthwhile.
 
No, you need at least 50w and a solar controller.

See post on#6


www.t6forum.com

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

Mobile Solar Panels ? . . . - How I Did It - There is loads of background to this . . . . . but for now here is a vid for you all. =] Just remember W = V*A and as a general rule a good 100W panel will give you up to 6A charge with good sun. 25w = 1.5A 50W = 3A 100w = 6A 200w = 12A 300w = 18A...
www.t6forum.com www.t6forum.com



.

Screenshot_20230215_083856_Chrome.jpg



.
 
shropschris said:
I’m pondering this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Renogy-Monocrystalline-Waterproof-Adjustable-Kickstands/dp/B0B39945F5/ref=sr_1_14_sspa?keywords=Folding+Solar+Panel+Kit&qid=1680031285&sr=8-14-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&th=1. To plug into my dcc50s charger that or the eco flow 160 . I’m wondering if they are worth the extra cost over the array of cheaper panels on Amazon
Click to expand...
They look a lot thinner than the Solar Suitcase I have. My Solar Suitcase is the 200W and comes in at £299 currently, but I bought mine a year ago for £270.
uk.renogy.com

200 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Foldable Solar Suitcase

The Renogy 200W 12V Folding Suitcase is perfect for the adventurous traveler, providing both convenience and dependability when venturing off the grid.
uk.renogy.com uk.renogy.com
 
DaveCrampton said:
They look a lot thinner than the Solar Suitcase I have. My Solar Suitcase is the 200W and comes in at £299 currently, but I bought mine a year ago for £270.
uk.renogy.com

200 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Foldable Solar Suitcase

The Renogy 200W 12V Folding Suitcase is perfect for the adventurous traveler, providing both convenience and dependability when venturing off the grid.
uk.renogy.com uk.renogy.com
Click to expand...
yeh thats my thinking a smaller thing than the suitcase , I just wonder if they are any better than the chinese made kit
 
the Renogy kit is Chinese made, like the rest of it.,

but Renogy kit is very good.

I've got the older version of that panel:


www.t6forum.com

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

Ty dellmassive for your time n effort. I have gone and popped down and measured and it will just fit with a bit of overhang by the steering wheel. the intention for now is to pop it on the dash lock up walk away. but if I am there at the direction is right I intend to attach to the pop top...
www.t6forum.com www.t6forum.com


...


more info:


******************************************************************

SOLAR:

My Panels:




*****************************************************
 
Any thoughts on this panel please people?

clearcutconversions.co.uk

Solar Panel - 155W 12V Solar Technology Rigid Mono High Density - All Black - New Product

5kg 1310 x 670 x 30mm Monocrystalline solar cell for high efficiency charging in all weathers Water resistant and robust for outdoor use Comes with solar panel, cable, fuses/terminals, fitting instructions & 10-year manufacturer warranty Compatible with 15Ah or 20Ah charge controllers This...
clearcutconversions.co.uk clearcutconversions.co.uk

Will it work with my EcoFlow Delta Mini ?

I like it because it is all black and will be stealthy on the roof of my black van
These aero mounts look good to cut down on wind noise

clearcutconversions.co.uk

Solar Mounting - Aero Profile for 125/150/200W Panel - Black 67cm - New Product

2kg Contains 2 x 67cm MHD aero brackets (670 x 85 x 43mm), 4 side caps, fixings, 1 instruction sheet & 2-year warranty This removes the need to drill holes in your vehicle roof. The solar panel then slides into the grooves and is secured using the endcaps screwing into the side panel.
clearcutconversions.co.uk clearcutconversions.co.uk

Thoughts, reviews or alternatives welcome :thumbsup:
 
t6blo said:
Any thoughts on this panel please people?

clearcutconversions.co.uk

Solar Panel - 155W 12V Solar Technology Rigid Mono High Density - All Black - New Product

5kg 1310 x 670 x 30mm Monocrystalline solar cell for high efficiency charging in all weathers Water resistant and robust for outdoor use Comes with solar panel, cable, fuses/terminals, fitting instructions & 10-year manufacturer warranty Compatible with 15Ah or 20Ah charge controllers This...
clearcutconversions.co.uk clearcutconversions.co.uk

Will it work with my EcoFlow Delta Mini ?

I like it because it is all black and will be stealthy on the roof of my black van
These aero mounts look good to cut down on wind noise

clearcutconversions.co.uk

Solar Mounting - Aero Profile for 125/150/200W Panel - Black 67cm - New Product

2kg Contains 2 x 67cm MHD aero brackets (670 x 85 x 43mm), 4 side caps, fixings, 1 instruction sheet & 2-year warranty This removes the need to drill holes in your vehicle roof. The solar panel then slides into the grooves and is secured using the endcaps screwing into the side panel.
clearcutconversions.co.uk clearcutconversions.co.uk

Thoughts, reviews or alternatives welcome :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Looks ok for a black rigid panel.

But they haven't given the spec of the panel, so no way to compare. ( Voc, isc, imp)

Should work fine with the eco flow, but you need the spec sheet to be sure.

I do like the aero brackets though.
 
t6blo said:
Thanks @Dellmassive
Here is the spec sheet from somewhere else selling it

Click to expand...
I have ordered the solar panel.

It comes with aero bars, fitting kit, gland, sikaflex but it looks like the end of the wire from the panel is not terminated at all.

My EcoFlow came with an XT60 to MC4 male and female. So I *assume* I just need to terminate the wire from the panel with the corresponding MC4s and plug the panel straight into the EcoFlow?

My other thought/question is surrounding a change over switch for the EcoFlow - it has one XT60 input for either solar or car ignition 12v.

If I connects the negative from solar, the negative from ignition and negative to xt60 together and then the positives through a switch will this work as a changeover switch to flick between solar and ignition feed to charge the EF or do I need diodes?

BD08CDB3-C21E-4FBC-B640-AB1420295FDA.jpeg
 
I love this forum for the fantastic amount of knowledge shared, love the YouTube clip @Dellmassive.

I’m still fairly new to my T6, came with an LB attached to a CTEK D250SA (no monitor though, so I can’t tell where I’m at in terms of level of charge left) all set under the front passenger captains chair.

I’m convinced a foldable panel is the way to go, I don’t fancy drilling the pop top nor trying to retrofit cables.

So on that basis can I just attach the panel to the ctek and away we go? Positive to solar ctek connection and negative to negative on the ctek.

I’m looking for a 150-200w foldable panel and I understand that I shouldn’t go above 24v into the ctek. (I’ll take a look at the allpower/dokio/renogy mentioned in thread)

Going forward I would like to extend my electrics and add EHU, inverter and a lithium battery to the van but just want to enjoy a little off grid time for now.

E0D30DD3-D4BB-40B5-B603-BE2CF3511D37.jpeg
 
bash said:
I love this forum for the fantastic amount of knowledge shared, love the YouTube clip @Dellmassive.

I’m still fairly new to my T6, came with an LB attached to a CTEK D250SA (no monitor though, so I can’t tell where I’m at in terms of level of charge left) all set under the front passenger captains chair.

I’m convinced a foldable panel is the way to go, I don’t fancy drilling the pop top nor trying to retrofit cables.

So on that basis can I just attach the panel to the ctek and away we go? Positive to solar ctek connection and negative to negative on the ctek.

I’m looking for a 150-200w foldable panel and I understand that I shouldn’t go above 24v into the ctek. (I’ll take a look at the allpower/dokio/renogy mentioned in thread)

Going forward I would like to extend my electrics and add EHU, inverter and a lithium battery to the van but just want to enjoy a little off grid time for now.

View attachment 195653
Click to expand...
Found some sun on Sunday, so displayed the foldable Dokio 160w panels over the dash and connected the ring connectors from the panel to the ctek ( positive to solar & neg to neg)…I don’t a light on the ctek to show that the solar panel is working and charging the ctek!!! Have I missed something?

F2E31034-12E1-43C0-95E0-7C3CAB8BBD35.jpeg

DDC8B989-DCDB-479B-BE90-CA0676816CB5.jpeg
 
bash said:
Found some sun on Sunday, so displayed the foldable Dokio 160w panels over the dash and connected the ring connectors from the panel to the ctek ( positive to solar & neg to neg)…I don’t a light on the ctek to show that the solar panel is working and charging the ctek!!! Have I missed something?

View attachment 196063

View attachment 196064
Click to expand...
What's the panel spec?

The ctek has a voc solar input of 23v max.

Also don't use any solar controller, just the panel direct to the ctek.
 
Dellmassive said:
What's the panel spec?

The ctek has a voc solar input of 23v max.

Also don't use any solar controller, just the panel direct to the ctek.
Click to expand...
D38E2754-7812-481F-B08C-AD1BB1FC20CA.png

Should be fine on that basis <24v…I’m going direct from panel to ctek (no controller) and using an extension to the wires that came provided, I had to crimp and heat shrink larger lugs to fit the ctek.

panels work fine when plugged in via controller to charge phone etc.

Not sure what I should be testing next!!
 
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