This panel can put out close to 100 watts kzread.infoUgkxOqI2yqX0XVrhR2BMJciTWrHJpG8FhJyg when positioned in the appropriate southernly direction, tilted to the optimal angle for your latitude/date, and connected to a higher capacity device than a 500. The built in kickstand angle is a fixed at 50 degrees. Up to 20% more power can be output by selecting the actual date and latitude optimal angle.The 500 will only input 3.5A maximum at 18 volts for 63 watts. Some of the excess power from the panel can be fed into a USB battery bank, charged directly from the panel while also charging a 500. This will allow you to harvest as much as 63 + 15 = 78 watts.If this panel is used to charge a larger device, such as the power station, then its full output potential can be realized.

Good video Mark. Good to watch for tips as im now about to do the same installation on my caravan, albeit with a different make of solar panel.

Great Video will try this

Great video and very helpful. Thanks

@thecaravanplace

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Mike 👍

Great video guys. I fitted a solar panel to my van mainly for keeping the battery charged in storage. Good quality solar panel kits can be had for a reasonable price these days and definitely worth fitting imo👍🏼

@thecaravanplace

Жыл бұрын

I think they make off grid camping a lot easier too. Thanks Alex 👍

I'm thinking of having a solar panel on my roof but don't fancy drilling a hole in the roof so next best thing is running the wires inside the offside awning channel,I know you will see a bit of wire coming off the roof but I think I'll live with that lol my m8 did the same thing and he did a neat job to be fair.

@thecaravanplace

Жыл бұрын

As long as you go over the top with sealant you should be fine.

Flourescent tubes really show interference to the video content. Thanks for all the info 🙏

@thecaravanplace

Жыл бұрын

Yes they are a pain.

I bought a couple of those controllers recently and found what appears to be a major flaw. They seem to let current flow back to the panel and drain the battery overnight. I've put diodes in to prevent this (about 45p each) and not heard back of any problems. Both installs were very low usage; one for LED lights and electric fence at some stables and the other for battery maintenance on a seldom used vehicle. If I was doing a caravan or similar I would definitely go for mppt rather than pwm. I'd also make the hole in the roof bigger and use a blind grommet.

@thecaravanplace

Жыл бұрын

Thanks 👍

@stegra5960

Жыл бұрын

@@thecaravanplace I spoke to the owners of the stables a couple of days ago and they said everything is fine now so it seems to have solved the problem.

I'm thinking of putting a solar panel on the roof to charge the eco flow delta 2.

@thecaravanplace

Жыл бұрын

Great idea 👍

Great video, looks pretty simple, apart from the fear of drilling the roof. Would there be a need to secure the panel with screws too or is it normal just too use the sikaflex bond?

@thecaravanplace

Жыл бұрын

The sikaflex is very good, as long as the roof is clean and dry it will hold without any screws.

@martinsvendsen8452

Жыл бұрын

@@thecaravanplace Wow really? This comment made me consider this option rather than drilling holes which I was afraid I would have to do for the rigid panels. Thanks for sharing! I do hope it will hold.

Interesting thanks ! I thought about a panel but in the winter the c'van is stored against the lee of the house and it's so gloomy there, it wouldn't really work ☹️

@blingscreensavers3881

11 ай бұрын

But still trickle charging any battery will help maintain it

I know sikaflex is good stuff but it needs a mechanical fixing as well (don't think it will grip well to a smooth shiny surface). I hope aim not behind it on the M6 when it lets go and goes through someone's windscreen

@thecaravanplace

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Steve, as long as its the 521 and the surface has been cleaned correctly, then it shouldn't need anything else. But it can be better to be over protected, it would just need to make sure the screws were very well sealed in as they will cause leaks, which is why they aren't normally used.

It’s going to be hard to read the charge controller because it’s side on should be facing straight out !

@thecaravanplace

Жыл бұрын

Yes they are a bit easier when forward facing, it's not that often you are looking at it though so just depends on what's best for you. Thanks Rab 👍

i am surprised the solar panel manufacturers do not put any insulation over the individual red/black cables, surely some protection is required to save damage from sunlight etc, personally as an electrician myself i would not leave them cables without an extra sleeve, although to be fair most motor movers are the same. probably cheaper.

@thecaravanplace

Жыл бұрын

They are normally double insulated for protection, the same as domestic solar cable.

Will the sealant hold it in place even on the motorway? It doesn’t need screwing down or anything?

@thecaravanplace

Жыл бұрын

Your preference, manufacturers don't use any, but it's upto you.

Is there any way of knowing where the manufacturers wiring is on the ceiling on a caravan

@thecaravanplace

Жыл бұрын

Not that I know to unfortunately, the only thing u can try is a electric detector used in houses, but still not a sure fire way.

Are solar panels any use in the colder winter months ?

@thecaravanplace

7 ай бұрын

A bit but not as effective 👍

So would this run everything in the caravan like the shower without mains electric?

@thecaravanplace

Жыл бұрын

Yes as long as its sunny it will keep the leisure battery charged to run everything on the 12v side.

@blingscreensavers3881

11 ай бұрын

🤣🤣 no If U have the roof space why couldn't U put 2 or 3 panels

Hi mark. How much would you charge to fit a solar panel that size to my caravan

@thecaravanplace

Жыл бұрын

Hi Mark, if you send us an email with caravan make model and year and I can get a price for you. Thecaravanplace@aol.com

I wish to fit a solar panel on my van. Can you send me a link for the kit you installed please Mark. Regards Simon

@thecaravanplace

Жыл бұрын

Hi Simon, The kit we purchased is not available at the moment but this is similar but only 100w: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334509260745?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=hhcnr4R9Q7-&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=gsaSJsTxTaa&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

@simoneversley-raw4577

Жыл бұрын

@@thecaravanplace Thanks very much. I will let you know how it goes. Can't do it untill it warms up though.

What was the actual size of the fuse you used?

@thecaravanplace

10 ай бұрын

I will have to check as cant remember off hand, it should tell you on the controller paperwork, 30amp comes to mind but will have to check.

You say you should push the panel down after applying Sikaflex, this, I think is incorrect Sikaflex recommend a certain thickness of adhesive to get a proper bond, the data sheet will give this, it can be achieved using some tile spacers of the right thickness.

@thecaravanplace

9 ай бұрын

Good idea 👍

👍🏿

@paul_my_plumbs_uk

Жыл бұрын

Have you seen greg virgoe's KZread channel?? I 've learned a lot about off grid living from his chanel

Put some screws in otherwise you’ll be leaving it on the motorway somewhere! Read the off grid groups for the sorry tales of those who relied on Sikaflex alone!

@thecaravanplace

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Steve, I think if the correct 521 is used and the surface is cleaned correctly you shouldn't have any issues, but if you want to fit screws too, just make sure they are well sealed in. Thanks for your comments 👍

ok guys. A good fit but, there are a couple of issues I can see. 1. The charge controller is not a good one. You should have fitted a Victron 75/15 as it is a true mppt controller. Costs a bit more but, it will squeeze out more from the solar panel than the one you fitted, Tbh, that solar charger is ghastly. I have used the one you have, and promptly chucked it into the bin. Also the Victron ones are blue tooth complaint as well so you can get a remote reading of the condition of your battery, which is a nice touch i would say, especially if its in storage and your far away from the van. 🙂 Oh, and that reminds me. I hope you connected the battery first then set the type of battery and THEN, connected the solar panel??? it wasn't clear in your video. 2. I would have mounted the solar mppt controller down under the bunk as, side ways on you cannot see the display on that one very well, or, attached it to the wall so your looking straight at it. Good vid tho especially drilling a hole in the roof. Always scares me that. Just my pennies worth. Cheers. 🍻

@thecaravanplace

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comments 👍. Yes the Victon is very good but added about £100 onto the bill so was out of budget unfortunately.

@Ronin6069

Жыл бұрын

@@thecaravanplace Fair enough. Shame really but I get it. Keep up the good work fella. 👍👍

Why wouldn't you simply have used a semi-flexible solar panel?

@thecaravanplace

27 күн бұрын

They are a good idea 👍

@jxpat

27 күн бұрын

​@@thecaravanplace Thanks for answer. I've got a head in order to my flexible.Solar panels now but I'll use this video as a guide. Lots of great information here! Thanks for sharing

You didn’t actually show how to connect to the battery

Shocked. That has to be the worst install I have ever seen. Sorry

@thecaravanplace

Жыл бұрын

No problem, luckily we never got shocked so not too bad.

Panel only secured with adhesive???? Wow. With movement, sun, vibration and a few years that adhesive is likely to fail over time. In a few years your panel will come flying off the roof and land on the vehicle behind you when you're traveling. Very dangerous. Could kill someone. Bad video mate, you should take it off.