solar panel

defike

I would like to put a solar panel on the roof of my van but don't know what size(watts) I would need.Many sizes on ebay.
Not be running much tv lights fridge also to keep the leisure battery conditioned when parked.
If anyone has done this info would be appreciated.

joncollier

50 watts is a good size, but more importantly buy a decent battery, the cheap ones don't last if you discharge them a few times completely. Try an Elecsol 110 amp battery, also don't buy an evaporated silicon panel they degrade, go for a monocrystaline type.
cheers
jon

defike

Thanks Jon will aim for between 50 and 100w so and a good battery.

JamesM

You won't get much TV and fridge from a 50w panel and a 110amp battery. You may get, lights, waterpump, fair city and a bit of the news on a long bright summer day.
Jim.

defike

Jim whats the way to go so.

JamesM

The fridge is the problem, if you are talking about running a 12v fridge - not gas. You might get, in the brightest sunlight, close to 4amps from a 50w panel. As far as I know, a fridge will use more than that. And when the sun goes down, or gets duller, you are drawing from your battery.
A 50w panel will keep your battery topped up between trips and even bring a battery that is down a bit, back up in a few days - especially in the summer when there is plenty of sunlight - and even cloudy daylight.
If you are driving every day and charging your battery as you drive, then a panel will add a little bit to that when you stop, and give you some extra time on whatever appliance you are using. Your alternator will charge your batteries much quicker than a panel. If you are on site for a few days, then a panel will give you enough for lights, water pump and maybe a little bit of TV - if you have a modern flat screen.
Having said all that, I think solar panels are great - for my application.
My experience is with a caravan with no mains power. I have 2 50w panels and 3 110ah batteries. In summer, when we have light from 4 or 5 am to 10pm, I have enough lights, water pump and a few hours of TV - using a LidlorAldi camping sat dish. We also charge mobile phones and a bit of laptop. But I have not even tried to run the fridge on 12v.
Jim.

*Kol*

The fridge in the MH will be wired so that it will not run fom the battery unless the engine is running due to the fact that it will discharge the battery very quickly running on 12v. Best to stick to running the fridge on gas if you have no mains hook up (it will work better on gas than 12v anyway) and leave the battery for lights, water pump and the tv.

defike

Thanks guys.I have decided to leave the fridge on gas aim for 100 watt panel and maybe go for 2 batteries.