solar power in uk

[colingo]

Hi, is solar power for vans in the uk really worth it or use the money on a decent quiet generator. Bearing in mind that when driving the leisure batteries charge via a split charge system. The output is reduced going through the controller, again if the panel isnt directed at the sun, if the panel is dirty and if the sun doesnt shine. It just doesnt seem to warrant drilling holes in the roof, climbing onto the roof the keep them clean and the extra Drag affecting fuel ecconomy. Whats peoples thoughts. Colin.

[longhair]

I have my camper for 18 months and managed without solar and been on the isle of man for three weeks last year just keeping the leisure topped up driving about in the day. If I'm parked up to two days, the battery does get depleted to the point my fridge doesn't stay very cool. I did consider a solar panel but decided against it. I am going to get a 800 w generator just to keep them topped up if I am parked up for two days or more as they are small and fairly quiet when not under load which it shouldn't be just charging the leisure battery.

[colingo]

I have my camper for 18 months and managed without solar and been on the isle of man for three weeks last year just keeping the leisure topped up driving about in the day. If I'm parked up to two days, the battery does get depleted to the point my fridge doesn't stay very cool. I did consider a solar panel but decided against it. I am going to get a 800 w generator just to keep them topped up if I am parked up for two days or more as they are small and fairly quiet when not under load which it shouldn't be just charging the leisure battery.

Thanks for the input, what size leisure battery do you have, i think a fridge may be the greatest comsumtion of power. How much driving a day did you need to do to top up your leisure battery. thanks, Colin.

[longhair]

My battery is a 110 amp hour, as for the fridge it is a 25 litre compressor type so isn't to bad really. I also have blown hot air heating so that takes a bit of power as well. If I drove for I guess an hour or two in total it keeps the battery monitor in the green. I just really need a generator for when my lad is racing weekends as we can be parked up from Friday to Sunday which would flatten the battery.

[hectors-tranny]

If you have a B2B charger, it will recharge your leisure battery several times faster than a standard split charge relay, e.g. a VSR.

I agree that for 2-3 days without running, a leisure battery won't be enough. Another option is to bank two leisure batteires to double your capacity. Saves the hassle of a generator.

[colingo]

If you have a B2B charger, it will recharge your leisure battery several times faster than a standard split charge relay, e.g. a VSR.

I agree that for 2-3 days without running, a leisure battery won't be enough. Another option is to bank two leisure batteires to double your capacity. Saves the hassle of a generator.

Am i correct in that the B2B fits between the vehicle main battery and the leisure battery. Can the B2B cope with 2 110amp coupled together. Colin.

[hectors-tranny]

If you have a B2B charger, it will recharge your leisure battery several times faster than a standard split charge relay, e.g. a VSR.

I agree that for 2-3 days without running, a leisure battery won't be enough. Another option is to bank two leisure batteires to double your capacity. Saves the hassle of a generator.

Am i correct in that the B2B fits between the vehicle main battery and the leisure battery. Can the B2B cope with 2 110amp coupled together. Colin.

Yes, a B2B charger has three connections: 1) starter battery positive, 2) leisure battery positive, 3) earth. It works exactly like simpler split charge relays, but has a lot of additional clever stuff built in, e.g. like a mains charger it will charge your leisure battery according to a stepped charging protocol for maximum battery health, and it can 'trick' smark alternators into delivering maximum charge when needed.

It's an expensive bit of kit but as an option to a solar setup it's wort considering, especially if you do a fair bit of driving around when camping. With mine, up to a couple of days static, provided I then have a couple of hour sdriving, I don't need mains or solar. etc.

Your last question: yes I think so. After all, two batteries in parallel will still be 'pushing back' with 12V (not 24). It would be the same from the B2B's point of view as having a single 220AH battery. Hence the bank of batteries would take longer to recharge, but that's all.

When I did my conversion I found these gurs very helpful. Worth asking them: https://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/ (No I don't work for them or have any allifiation to them. Just found them helpful, that's all.

All the best - HT

[hectors-tranny]

If you have a B2B charger, it will recharge your leisure battery several times faster than a standard split charge relay, e.g. a VSR.

I agree that for 2-3 days without running, a leisure battery won't be enough. Another option is to bank two leisure batteires to double your capacity. Saves the hassle of a generator.

Am i correct in that the B2B fits between the vehicle main battery and the leisure battery. Can the B2B cope with 2 110amp coupled together. Colin.

Yes, a B2B charger has three connections: 1) starter battery positive, 2) leisure battery positive, 3) earth. It works exactly like simpler split charge relays, but has a lot of additional clever stuff built in, e.g. like a mains charger it will charge your leisure battery according to a stepped charging protocol for maximum battery health, and it can 'trick' smark alternators into delivering maximum charge when needed.

It's an expensive bit of kit but as an option to a solar setup it's worth considering, especially if you do a fair bit of driving around when camping. With mine, up to a couple of days static, provided I then have a couple of hours driving, I don't need mains or solar. etc.

Your last question: yes I think so. After all, two batteries in parallel will still be 'pushing back' with 12V (not 24). It would be the same from the B2B's point of view as having a single 220AH battery. Hence the bank of batteries would take longer to recharge, but that's all.

When I did my conversion I found these guys very helpful. Worth asking them: https://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/ (No I don't work for them or have any allifiation to them. Just found them helpful, that's all.)

All the best - HT

[thebarber]

I have this setup..
https://www.simplysplitcharge.co.uk/ind ... ct_id=1051
Linked to 2x 130ah agm batteries.
This runs maxxair fan, 6x led lights and victron 1200 inverter which runs my 240v freezer converted to fridge