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Sphere



Member Since: 26 Apr 2013
Location: Midlands
Posts: 725

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Keswick Green
Solar panel install
Not sure if this is the correct section.

Last year I purchased a fridge and installed a blue sea duel battery system to run it. Works great however realised that I do do a couple of trips each year where the truck is static for 3-4 days. Currently I can get 2 days running from the battery before the fridge cuts out. I could just purchase power from the sites I am at and run the fridge but quite fancy being off grid so thinking of a solar charger set up.

Has anyone done this and what would the best way. My understanding would be a solar regulator onto the aux battery and I would look at installing a solid panel on the roof rack that I can remove when not in use. Not sure how to make it removable with the wiring. Working out current draw looks like I can easily provide enough (depending of weather but plenty to extend the battery life for what I need) however there is a big price difference in panels? Any advice welcome. [/code]
Post #684386 5th Feb 2018 9:44pm
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familymad



Member Since: 13 Dec 2011
Location: Bucks
Posts: 3463

 2016 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 HCPU Santorini Black
Watching this with interest. Having same thoughts for the 130 1951 80" S1 2.0
1995 110 300TDI
1995 90 300TDI
Post #684393 5th Feb 2018 9:54pm
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LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11240

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Orkney Grey
I appreciate that it's not as technically elegant but for your usage would not a 2nd spare battery be an easier solution? Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #684405 5th Feb 2018 10:16pm
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mikeh501



Member Since: 07 Jan 2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1142

United Kingdom 
Should all be pretty straight forward and if youve already sized the panels then its just a bit of wiring.

Most setups have one or more panels, some small diameter wiring and maybe a superseal connector (waterproof), connected up to a charge controller which feeds the battery.

The charge controller makes sure the panels dont supply too much voltage to your batteries, over charge them, nor discharge them when theres no sun.

ive not done it, but done some looking into how it works. Should be able to do it without electrocuting yourself! Very Happy
Post #684407 5th Feb 2018 10:19pm
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Supacat



Member Since: 16 Oct 2012
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 11018

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS DCPU Keswick Green
LandRoverAnorak wrote:
I appreciate that it's not as technically elegant but for your usage would not a 2nd spare battery be an easier solution?


OP makes reference to aux battery, so I think he already has this arrangement.
Post #684466 6th Feb 2018 10:07am
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LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11240

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Orkney Grey
Yes, I understand that. For the limited usage described, I was suggesting a 2nd spare battery, which would make three in total. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #684475 6th Feb 2018 10:41am
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Supacat



Member Since: 16 Oct 2012
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 11018

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS DCPU Keswick Green
Aah - three batteries...


Click image to enlarge


or he could just hope for the best...
Post #684484 6th Feb 2018 11:24am
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josefk



Member Since: 09 Jun 2014
Location: lincolnshire
Posts: 113

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Corris Grey
Hi Sphere,

i find i can be self-sufficent with a 60W panel (engel fridge/camera battery and phone battery charging). In fact with 60W i get a slight gain in charge in my battery (measured by voltage indication) when the weather is only moderately sunny (i.e UK).

i don't use a fixed panel - though i keep thinking about it - but i've got a great tri-fold panel that i can move around for optimal angle towards the sun. it has a cheap (from memory not MPPT) charge controller at the panel end and i simply plug it into a permement 12V socket on the landy end. its a compact (circa 600mm x 500mm x 200mm) package when folded.

its handy being non fixed - i have it on a 5m lead (over sized for the expected current) - and can always get it into a good sun location.

if i leave the landy i use a decent bike lock to secure it on my roofrack.

Cheers
Post #684486 6th Feb 2018 11:33am
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7686

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
i have a split charge system to run similar and have/ad the same issue, even more so when i added a shower system!

i purchased a semi flexible solar sheet 100W last year, it came with the modulator and QR connectors in the wiring. i attached it to the top of my roof tent when i arrive on site and the tent is up (it lives flat in the tent for tpt means).

last year in the Uk it allowed 4 days of static non engine running and during that time ran an Engel 40L fridge, webasto once a day to heat engine coolant and then run shower pump for family of four to shower.

currently using Odyssy batts but will change back to Numax for this summers camping trips.

Will try and find company info on who supplied it Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #684498 6th Feb 2018 1:23pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7686

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
http://www.selectsolar.co.uk/prod/1189/sel...100w-panel

100W, £200 ish, i had it with the connections and charge controller for not much more than £230 total IIRC. i phoned them up, very helpful. Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #684499 6th Feb 2018 1:26pm
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Sphere



Member Since: 26 Apr 2013
Location: Midlands
Posts: 725

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Keswick Green
Thank you for the replies.

Yes a 3rd battery is a option however with two kids and one less than a year space is a issue and I feel we may be doing some more static camps



Click image to enlarge


Also not a cool as a off grid set up Whistle

Like the idea of the mobile one for ease and can use it when needed. I worked out just over 100w was needed however this is assuming quite poor sunlight and fridge working hard so 60 may do it.

Did look at solarselectore may be worth a call.
Post #684616 6th Feb 2018 9:14pm
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ARC99



Member Since: 19 Feb 2013
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 1831

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Cairns Blue
I carry the two large panels I use with my caravan on the Flatdog roof rack, I made 4 brackets that bolt on the outside of the panels and onto the roof rack.

If you have an unused 13s socket fitted to the vehicle you could run the cable from the panels to the 12s then from that into the vehicle behind the speaker panel then fit the charge controller inside the vehicle( they must be kept dry), cable back out to the battery of your choice.

The solar panel would need to inclined to 30 degrees facing the sun for optimum power, not when driving. This could be achieved using ali flat bar of the right length.

These are the panels I use http://www.solartechnology.co.uk/solar-pan...uct_id=365 and the controller I have fitted it allows the charging of two batteries. http://www.solartechnology.co.uk/solar-pan...uct_id=347 Don't make old people mad.
We don't like being old in the first place,
so it doesn't take much to Censored us off.

Richard
Post #684767 7th Feb 2018 2:41pm
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VeeTee



Member Since: 06 Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1512

Netherlands 
I have a set up with solar panel permanently mounted on the rooftack, charging the dual battery. Ample capacity for using the fridge off the grid.

Pics and details here. Cheers, Vincent
1959 Polynorm 1/4 Ton Trailer, Olive Drab Green (sold)
1970 M416 Military Trailer (Camping Trailer Conversion), Epsom Green (sold)
1975 Series III 88 V6, Light Green (sadly sold)
1996 Defender 110 CSW 300 Tdi, Epsom Green (sold)
2000 Freelander 1 TD4 3-drs, Silver (sold)
2006 Freelander 1 TD4 5-drs Facelift Automatic, Tonga Green (sold)

MySite
Post #684827 7th Feb 2018 8:28pm
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Sphere



Member Since: 26 Apr 2013
Location: Midlands
Posts: 725

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Keswick Green
Looks like 60w should be enough to run the fridge and charge phones.

Like the idea of the suitcase solar charger however may have a couple of left over solar pannels from a solar farm install that should be interesting need to have a look to see if they can be mounted and used.
Post #684874 7th Feb 2018 10:18pm
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MadTom



Member Since: 10 Sep 2013
Location: Olomouc
Posts: 575

Czech Republic 1999 Defender 130 Td5 HCPU Baltic Blue
"Suitcase" system is good idea - it is good to park the car in some shadow - from tree of a building. But the solar cell need clear view to the sun. So just move it out on a small tripod.
Also fixing solar cell on the roof of offroad car means, it can be damaged by some trees. "Drobek" = The Small One - Discovery 2, "Blufínek" = The Blue Thing - Defender 130, and for me at least Ford Mondeo Smile
Post #684949 8th Feb 2018 9:09am
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