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| familymad Member Since: 13 Dec 2011 Location: Bucks Posts: 3481   
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Watching this with interest. Having same thoughts for the 130 1951 80" S1 2.0
1995 110 300TDI 1995 90 300TDI |
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5th Feb 2018 8:54pm |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11324 
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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 |
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5th Feb 2018 9:16pm |
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| mikeh501 Member Since: 07 Jan 2013 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1142
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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!  |
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5th Feb 2018 9:19pm |
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| Supacat Member Since: 16 Oct 2012 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 11018 
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OP makes reference to aux battery, so I think he already has this arrangement. |
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6th Feb 2018 9:07am |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11324
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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 |
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6th Feb 2018 9:41am |
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| Supacat Member Since: 16 Oct 2012 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 11018
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Aah - three batteries...
 Click image to enlarge or he could just hope for the best... |
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6th Feb 2018 10:24am |
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| josefk Member Since: 09 Jun 2014 Location: lincolnshire Posts: 113 
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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 |
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6th Feb 2018 10:33am |
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| jst Member Since: 14 Jan 2008 Location: Taunton Posts: 8021 
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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 2012 XS Utility 130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper 90 2010 Hardtop 90 M57 1988 Hardtop |
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6th Feb 2018 12:23pm |
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| jst Member Since: 14 Jan 2008 Location: Taunton Posts: 8021
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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 2012 XS Utility 130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper 90 2010 Hardtop 90 M57 1988 Hardtop |
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6th Feb 2018 12:26pm |
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| Sphere Member Since: 26 Apr 2013 Location: Midlands Posts: 725 
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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 
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. |
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6th Feb 2018 8:14pm |
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| ARC99 Member Since: 19 Feb 2013 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 1831 
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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  us off.
Richard |
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7th Feb 2018 1:41pm |
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| VeeTee Member Since: 06 Mar 2011 Location: Somewhere Posts: 1512 
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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 |
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7th Feb 2018 7:28pm |
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| Sphere Member Since: 26 Apr 2013 Location: Midlands Posts: 725
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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. |
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7th Feb 2018 9:18pm |
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| MadTom Member Since: 10 Sep 2013 Location: Olomouc Posts: 616  
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"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  |
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8th Feb 2018 8:09am |
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