What Solar Panel/controller Dc-dc Leisure Battery - Have You Got ?

t0mb0 said:
Isn't this completely expected though? On the 100/20 controller, the 20 bit refers to the maximum amps delivered to the battery? In which case, if we assume a charging voltage of, say, 14v then the maximum wattage is 20a*14v = 280w - which is exactly what you got in practice? In which case, it's nothing to do with headroom/efficiency effects, just the advertised spec of the unit? The equivalent number for the 100/30 unit is 420 which is comfortably in excess of your panel wattage so the panel can deliver its full power.

The only mystery is why the victron calculator gizmo recommended that 100/20 in the first place....
Click to expand...
The sketchy victron MPPT calculator was really the point of my previous comment.

I didn’t initially check the mppt controller requirement beyond simply using the victron calculator!

I had assumed that the 100/20 reference referred to the optimum capability of the solar array IE: 100 volts at 20 amps = 2000W!

I paid no attention and just assumed that the charge output would be determined by the witchcraft contained within the little blue box!

I now know that you should spend 30 seconds checking the datasheet! Lesson learned!
 
t0mb0 said:
Isn't this completely expected though? On the 100/20 controller, the 20 bit refers to the maximum amps delivered to the battery? In which case, if we assume a charging voltage of, say, 14v then the maximum wattage is 20a*14v = 280w - which is exactly what you got in practice? In which case, it's nothing to do with headroom/efficiency effects, just the advertised spec of the unit? The equivalent number for the 100/30 unit is 420 which is comfortably in excess of your panel wattage so the panel can deliver its full power.

The only mystery is why the victron calculator gizmo recommended that 100/20 in the first place....
Click to expand...

This does make sense. On the victron calculator, if you increase the system voltage from 12v to 24v (halving the output amps for a given wattage) it will recommend a smaller unit. I'm going to go 100/30.
 
***************************************
Copy & Paste the below to add your setup:

Solar Panel:
Mobile Panel:
Solar charge controller:
DC-DC charger:
EHU Charger:
battery bank:
Battery Monitor:
Inverter:
other:

***************************************
 
About time i added my setup so here it is:

Solar Panel:
Photonic Universe 180Watt semi-flexible panel with rear connection

Mobile Panel:
50Watt Blue Fusion foldable panel

Solar charge controller:
Renogy DCC30S (DC-DC charger with MPPT)

DC-DC charger:
Renogy DCC30S (DC-DC Charger with MPPT)

EHU Charger:
No EHU, but i do have a Victron Blue Smart IP65 Battery Charger that I occasionally hook up to the starter battery. It charges both batteries connected this way utilising the DC-DC.

battery bank:
100Ah leisure battery

Battery Monitor:
BM2 on both starter and leisure

Inverter:
None

other
nothing else.
 
Solar Panel: None yet.

Mobile Panel: Renogy 200W Foldable solar suitcase

Solar charge controller: SmartSolar MPPT 75/15,

DC-DC charger: Orion-Tr Smart DC-DC Charger

EHU Charger: None

battery bank: 100Ah Renogy Smart Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery

Battery Monitor: Victron BMV-712

Inverter: None

other: Click here for 10% off Renogy
 
VanDamMan said:
Solar Panel:
Mobile Panel: 2 x 150w xplorer (rigid)
Solar charge controller: Ctek D250sa
DC-DC charger: Ctek D250sa
EHU Charger: see other
battery bank: 110ah Aventurer AGM
Battery Monitor: Vitron smart stunt 500
Inverter: n/a
other: Maypole EHU Reel ..( cable connects to fixed cable from bonnet to under passenger seat ) so can disconnect to use in either the van or tent ( cable lengths have been adjusted ie short cable on reel)

View attachment 66605
Click to expand...
Edit….additional 110amp Agm in box. solar now mounted on trailer ( on location ) also due to limited space will replace Ctek with REDARC system as on going project..( if it’s good for our Criminal Cousins ..then that’ll do :laugh: )

65E3EB2E-AA96-4C62-82A9-1DB8FCD2241C.jpeg20EA092A-3F7A-46F6-8119-DB8DDC210D5C.jpeg3F8238DF-C5F5-48E7-9AD4-8D7B73150685.jpeg
 
Skyliner33 said:
Solar Panel: None yet.

Mobile Panel: Renogy 200W Foldable solar suitcase

Solar charge controller: SmartSolar MPPT 75/15,

DC-DC charger: Orion-Tr Smart DC-DC Charger

EHU Charger: None

battery bank: 100Ah Renogy Smart Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery

Battery Monitor: Victron BMV-712

Inverter: None

other: Click here for 10% off Renogy
Click to expand...
Hi mate,

How do you connect your suitcase to your setup? It has its own mppt controller, right?

I’m considering adding one to my existing solar+leisure battery setup.

Would I connect the suitcase to my existing mppt, or direct to the leisure battery?

You seem to know what you’re doing.
 
RunDSG said:
Hi mate,

How do you connect your suitcase to your setup? It has its own mppt controller, right?

I’m considering adding one to my existing solar+leisure battery setup.

Would I connect the suitcase to my existing mppt, or direct to the leisure battery?

You seem to know what you’re doing.
Click to expand...
Hi,
the controller it comes with is a charge controller, which is supposed to be good but not as good as an MPPT.
I have a victron MPPT so unplugged the MC4 connectors on the back of the panel and ran some solar cable fitted with MC4 to the MPPT in the van.

SO if you have an existing MPPT in the van I would connect short wires (maybe 30-50cm) with either Anderson connectors or MC4 then have a 5m extension lead with the correct connectors to connect the leads on the back of the panel to the short wires fitted to the MPPT.
ANother idea I had was if needed you could connect 1 panel of the suitcase to the leisure battery through your MPPT. The other panel could go to starter battery using the panels solar charge controller.

I will try to remember to take some photos tomorrow if you want.1DA07CF8-3F56-4B1E-9BB6-9600E756E74C.jpeg
 
Skyliner33 said:
Hi,
the controller it comes with is a charge controller, which is supposed to be good but not as good as an MPPT.
I have a victron MPPT so unplugged the MC4 connectors on the back of the panel and ran some solar cable fitted with MC4 to the MPPT in the van.

SO if you have an existing MPPT in the van I would connect short wires (maybe 30-50cm) with either Anderson connectors or MC4 then have a 5m extension lead with the correct connectors to connect the leads on the back of the panel to the short wires fitted to the MPPT.
ANother idea I had was if needed you could connect 1 panel of the suitcase to the leisure battery through your MPPT. The other panel could go to starter battery using the panels solar charge controller.

I will try to remember to take some photos tomorrow if you want.View attachment 119998
Click to expand...
Thanks. I’m interested to see which cables and connectors you used. Are these easy to find?
 
Solar Panel: JA Solar 380W mono
Mobile Panel:
Solar charge controller: Victron Smart Solar 100/30
DC-DC charger: Victron Orion tr Smart 12/12-30
EHU Charger:
battery bank: Sterling Power 100ah Lithium
Battery Monitor: in built battery bluetooth BMS
Inverter:
other:

Thanks to @Dellmassive for guidance with the dc-dc charger decision. I just bit the bullet and ordered the Sterling 100ah Lithium. They are doing remanufactured batteries good as new for £450 which I thought was a good deal....similar price points to unbranded/budget options.

The problem I was facing with the bog standard wet leisure battery was that with 30a current from the mppt, in parallel with the 30a current from the dc-dc charger, combine to 60a. Although this would only be in the bulk stage of charging, a heavily depleted battery will take most of the current available and 0.6 capacity is too much in my opinion.

Contrary to some of the datasheets stating the Sterling power batteries have a recommended charge rate of 0.5, their new batteries are 0.7C, so they have the potential to be charged fully in less than 1.5hrs......zoooooooooom.
 
Dellmassive said:
The new panel is in . . . . . (the rear junction box is more of a "gland" and will need a 35/40mm hole drilled in the roof)

12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine

160W Black Reinforced semi-flexible solar panel with round rear junction box and 3m cable, with durable ETFE coating (German solar cells)



Solar panel specifications:

  • Peak power: 160W
  • Maximum power voltage: 20.2V
  • Maximum power current: 7.92A
  • Open circuit voltage: 23.9V
  • Short circuit current: 8.40A
  • Power allowance range: +/- 5%
  • Solar Panel dimensions: 1345 x 665 x 4 mm
  • Junction Box diameter: 30 mm
  • Weight: 5.70 kg
  • 1 x 3m high quality dual core solar cable attached (4mm cross section)
View attachment 47266 View attachment 47267 View attachment 47268 View attachment 47269 View attachment 47270 View attachment 47271 View attachment 47272 View attachment 47273

.
Click to expand...
Hi Lee how have you got on with panel on the van?
 
So I'm planning my solar & 12V system & having read through this and a couple of other threads I would appreciate comments & suggestions on my plan.
I've done a demand calculation and it comes to 56Ah (672Wh) per day, this is dominated by the inverter/mini kettle giving a couple of brews first thing, followed by the fridge keeping those beers cool.
I plan to camp in the van for at 3 seasons, so early spring to late autumn; well once it's fully insulated & has acquired a diesel heater too.

Solar Panels;
I reckon on needing at least 250W to match that that demand once the days get shorter & then maybe I'll have to do with only one cuppa in bed before firing up a gas stove for the second in winter.
I like the idea of two panels in parallel as that will cope much better with being shaded than a single would, provided the shade in on one. so for that reason I plan to use longer/ narrower panels lengthways side by side on the roof, probably toward the front. I don't have any plans for a pop top so these will be onto the tin roof.

Really like the Photonics Universe with the round rear cable outlet and single 2 core cable, such a tidy look on the roof and better to wire up.
I am aiming for some stealthiness for free camping so minimal evidence on the roof is a plus.
This would be two 2x160W coming out at £620 or £1.94/W... ouch, but the reports from others do sound great!
438-160W-Black-Reinforced-semi-flexible-solar-panel-with-round-rear-junction-box-and-3m-cable-with-durable-ETFE-coating.html

Also like the Lensun LS-150FX2 again 2x 150W coming out at £380... only £1.24/W.
Black-flexible-solar-panel


Charge Controller;
I need to get rid of the VW split charge relay anyway so a DC to DC with solar input makes sense to me.
Also one which will trickle charge the starter battery also cuts down on extra bits & wires.
I have two single seats and the drivers will have a Sub in it someday so space will be at a premium.

I like the Renogy DCC50S, it has the voltage input headroom and power capacity in hand for those panel options.
dcc50s-12v-50a-dc-dc-on-board-battery-charger-with-mppt-new-version

I plan to look at the Ctek as well.

Battery;
Ordered the van with a 2nd battery so it currently has a Varta 75Ah AGM under the passengers seat.
I plan the "wear" this out (see below) before upgrading to a LipO of more like 150Ah.
I've had a quick look for slim units (2 x75Ah in parallel) which will fit just inside the front section of my Ovano XL bed/drawer which has a bit of a battery/electrics sized dead space.

Inverter;
I'll need at least 650W pure sine, for that mini kettle.
I've been through the energy & high discharge calcs for that and reckon I can get maybe 20mins from a fully charged battery (the one above) down to 11V; phew the mini kettle boils 500ml for a decent mug of tea in under 5mins...
I'm thinking of sticking with Renology as I can give it ac when on EHU and it'll switch over to that, only reverting when someone trims the EHU...
1000w-12v-to-230v-pure-sine-wave-inverter-with-ups-function

I would appreciate some steers on what to look out for on these...

EHU system;
I'll do this someday, so advice on ac to dc changing would be helpful...
I again had a quick look & did quite like the Victon blue smart fully sealed version so I can stick it under the van somewhere...

Thanks for reading this far and in advance for your thoughts....
Ian
 
Rids said:
Hi Lee how have you got on with panel on the van?
Click to expand...
its a great panel . . .

so far i have only used it as a mobile panel . . .

its not stuck to the van yet. . . . . i have a the bits to do it . . . but

the mobile panel solutions are working better for me atm.


1627639709637.png1627639724710.png1627639741619.png
 
Rids said:
So I'm planning my solar & 12V system & having read through this and a couple of other threads I would appreciate comments & suggestions on my plan.
I've done a demand calculation and it comes to 56Ah (672Wh) per day, this is dominated by the inverter/mini kettle giving a couple of brews first thing, followed by the fridge keeping those beers cool.
I plan to camp in the van for at 3 seasons, so early spring to late autumn; well once it's fully insulated & has acquired a diesel heater too.

Solar Panels;
I reckon on needing at least 250W to match that that demand once the days get shorter & then maybe I'll have to do with only one cuppa in bed before firing up a gas stove for the second in winter.
I like the idea of two panels in parallel as that will cope much better with being shaded than a single would, provided the shade in on one. so for that reason I plan to use longer/ narrower panels lengthways side by side on the roof, probably toward the front. I don't have any plans for a pop top so these will be onto the tin roof.

Really like the Photonics Universe with the round rear cable outlet and single 2 core cable, such a tidy look on the roof and better to wire up.
I am aiming for some stealthiness for free camping so minimal evidence on the roof is a plus.
This would be two 2x160W coming out at £620 or £1.94/W... ouch, but the reports from others do sound great!
438-160W-Black-Reinforced-semi-flexible-solar-panel-with-round-rear-junction-box-and-3m-cable-with-durable-ETFE-coating.html

Also like the Lensun LS-150FX2 again 2x 150W coming out at £380... only £1.24/W.
Black-flexible-solar-panel


Charge Controller;
I need to get rid of the VW split charge relay anyway so a DC to DC with solar input makes sense to me.
Also one which will trickle charge the starter battery also cuts down on extra bits & wires.
I have two single seats and the drivers will have a Sub in it someday so space will be at a premium.

I like the Renogy DCC50S, it has the voltage input headroom and power capacity in hand for those panel options.
dcc50s-12v-50a-dc-dc-on-board-battery-charger-with-mppt-new-version

I plan to look at the Ctek as well.

Battery;
Ordered the van with a 2nd battery so it currently has a Varta 75Ah AGM under the passengers seat.
I plan the "wear" this out (see below) before upgrading to a LipO of more like 150Ah.
I've had a quick look for slim units (2 x75Ah in parallel) which will fit just inside the front section of my Ovano XL bed/drawer which has a bit of a battery/electrics sized dead space.

Inverter;
I'll need at least 650W pure sine, for that mini kettle.
I've been through the energy & high discharge calcs for that and reckon I can get maybe 20mins from a fully charged battery (the one above) down to 11V; phew the mini kettle boils 500ml for a decent mug of tea in under 5mins...
I'm thinking of sticking with Renology as I can give it ac when on EHU and it'll switch over to that, only reverting when someone trims the EHU...
1000w-12v-to-230v-pure-sine-wave-inverter-with-ups-function

I would appreciate some steers on what to look out for on these...

EHU system;
I'll do this someday, so advice on ac to dc changing would be helpful...
I again had a quick look & did quite like the Victon blue smart fully sealed version so I can stick it under the van somewhere...

Thanks for reading this far and in advance for your thoughts....
Ian
Click to expand...
sounds good. . .

now will be a good time to start your own thread to keep all this in one place.


start your new thread over here . . . then copy all the above over.


www.t6forum.com

Show Us Your T6

Post a picture and show us your pride and joy
www.t6forum.com www.t6forum.com


.
 
hoping this thread isn't dead and i can get a bit of advice. we're doing our first big van trip this summer with our 6 month old baby, spending 6 weeks in spain. we've got a Dometic fridge which i want to make sure will be powered throughout so there's always food for my partner, so she can keep feeding the little one. apart from that minimal draw on the electrics, some LED lights and charging phones etc...

our current set up is:
Victron Blue Smart IP22 charger
CTEK D250SE DC/DC charger
Hankook DC31MF Leisure battery - 100AH

I want to put some solar on this, thinking about a 160 PU solar panel and a Victron 75/15 MPPT to keep the food cold and my life stress free.

does this sound right to the experienced heads on here? or is the additional MPPT overkill? obviously i dont want to spend more than i have to, on the other hand with the little one there isnt loads of time to test and improve the system...

thanks
 
What’s the spec of the panel, the cetek can take up to 23 volts so there may be no need for another mppt
 
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