Solar Camper Solutions

[DGB99]

I can edit, perhaps only us VIP members can do that.

 

[WelshGas]

I can edit, perhaps only us VIP members can do that.

Correct.
The best way is to take a photo of phone or email and post that. Internet bots won't pickup the phone or email address, unlike text.

 

[JuanVecino2023]

I have a 3 panel 360W setup with Victron all cabling with inline fuses, curly cable, black anodised frames and 12V adapter to plug in accessories to the load output, if of interest.

 

[Danish_David_T5]

I have a 3 panel 360W setup with Victron all cabling with inline fuses, curly cable, black anodised frames and 12V adapter to plug in accessories to the load output, if of interest.

Yes please. Any photos or more info appreciated.

 

[Danish_David_T5]

Yes please. Any photos or more info appreciated.

Did you do this yourself or buy a kit.

 

[JuanVecino2023]

Did you do this yourself or buy a kit.

I bought a kit. Glass panels. Anodized aluminium low profile frames. I added some 16AWG cables any inline fuses.

It’s a great setup.

 

[Winston Rumfoord]

Correct.
The best way is to take a photo of phone or email and post that. Internet bots won't pickup the phone or email address, unlike text.

I think the best way is to just pay the small* amount of money to be a member and support the community from which a benefit is being sought.

*small in relation to: potential cost of solar investment, overall cost of a van, and value of this forum on both this and future requests.

 

[Danish_David_T5]

I bought a kit. Glass panels. Anodized aluminium low profile frames. I added some 16AWG cables any inline fuses.

It’s a great setup.

Could you possibly post some photos and/or where you bought the kit please. Also I understand that it’s important for panel efficiency to keep airflow under the panels. How do you do that ?

 

[Danish_David_T5]

Could you possibly post some photos and/or where you bought the kit please. Also I understand that it’s important for panel efficiency to keep airflow under the panels. How do you do that ?

And how much do you estimate your set up cost ?

 

[Danish_David_T5]

Dear All - thank you for all the help and advice which is appreciated. I ordered the 300W kit from Roger at Solar Camper. I needed simplicity and speed of install, plus reliability and reputation is good. Other systems also look good and o like the German low profile quality too. Should arrive for install next week. If there’s any interest I can photo document the install for others ?

 

[dspuk]

Dear All - thank you for all the help and advice which is appreciated. I ordered the 300W kit from Roger at Solar Camper. I needed simplicity and speed of install, plus reliability and reputation is good. Other systems also look good and o like the German low profile quality too. Should arrive for install next week. If there’s any interest I can photo document the install for others ?

Fitting a Solar Camper Solutions 100W Panel to a MY21 6.1 Ocean

Part 1. After deciding to buy one of the @Roger Donoghue kits I thought it could be of benefit to any others with my specific spec to see how I did it. Everything is more or less in Rogers instructions, but I did find them a challenge to understand due to how they seem to have evolved over time...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[JuanVecino2023]

Could you possibly post some photos and/or where you bought the kit please. Also I understand that it’s important for panel efficiency to keep airflow under the panels. How do you do that ?

We have some rubber strips which have two benefits - stop wind whistle (I never heard any) and allow air flow.

I have pics - in situ and once removed from the van. The panels are approximately 2 years old, however they have spent 8 months plus in a garage out of direct sun.

 

[JuanVecino2023]

Dear All - thank you for all the help and advice which is appreciated. I ordered the 300W kit from Roger at Solar Camper. I needed simplicity and speed of install, plus reliability and reputation is good. Other systems also look good and o like the German low profile quality too. Should arrive for install next week. If there’s any interest I can photo document the install for others ?

Ah - I note you've already purchased. I will hold fire with pics for now!

 

[BenCar]

Thank. These also look very well made. Looks like the metal carrier extends the full width of the van. Really hard to tell from photos which is really top quality. Do you get any wind noise when driving from the roof? Did you route through the rubber grommet? Also it looks like their 260W kit is circa Euro 850?

No wind noise at all. Very well made and designed specifically. Looks OEM.
Rubber grommet has many options, most usually run it through the existing hole in the boot.

 

[SanderR72]

Correct.
The best way is to take a photo of phone or email and post that. Internet bots won't pickup the phone or email address, unlike text.

A bit off topic but internet bots can and do scan photos for any text in them, so I would rely on that.

 

[SanderR72]

A bit off topic but internet bots can and do scan photos for any text in them, so I would rely on that.

Would not rely I mean (I’m not a VIP member either yet, so can’t edit the original reply).

 

[WelshGas]

Would not rely I mean (I’m not a VIP member either yet, so can’t edit the original reply).

Its less likely and safer than text.

 

[AcapulcoLoco]

I replaced the hardware for stainless on mine.

 

[AcapulcoLoco]

 

[Anthony1]

Can you still boil a kettle, run a toaster and electric hob, not necessarily at the same time, if you have solar panels fitted? If yes, what size is required?

Thank you

 

[RickH70]

They look great, do you mind me asking where you bought them?

View attachment 140324

 

[WelshGas]

Can you still boil a kettle, run a toaster and electric hob, not necessarily at the same time, if you have solar panels fitted? If yes, what size is required?

Thank you

Not directly. You use them to charge, ideally, a Lithium power pack which runs a 1000/1500 watt inverter that runs those appliances.
For year round use 3 panels, summer 1 and other seasons 2.

 

[AcapulcoLoco]

They look great, do you mind me asking where you bought them?

They came from Amazon.

Ctyjia 20 PCS Countersunk Washer, M6 Stainless Steel Solid Cup Washer, M6 x 18mm : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Ctyjia 20 PCS Countersunk Washer, M6 Stainless Steel Solid Cup Washer, M6 x 18mm : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

www.amazon.co.uk

AHCA2 Stainless Steel Socket Countersunk Screw Allen Key Bolts M6 6mm x 20mm (Pack of 50) : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders. Shop AHCA2 Stainless Steel Socket Countersunk Screw Allen Key Bolts M6 6mm x 20mm (Pack of 50).

www.amazon.co.uk

Sourcingmap M6 304 Stainless Steel Strut Spring Channel Nuts 10 Pcs : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Sourcingmap M6 304 Stainless Steel Strut Spring Channel Nuts 10 Pcs : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[sticky1]

It’s probably worth

Can you still boil a kettle, run a toaster and electric hob, not necessarily at the same time, if you have solar panels fitted? If yes, what size is required?

Thank you

It’s worth remembering the onboard inverter only supports 300 watts. The minimum hob or toaster is probably going to be around 1000 watts.
So you’ll either be on electric hook up or as WelshGas says power a power bank that can cope with that amount of output as a continuous load.

 

[LorCali78]

Here's a quick pic of mine. I am planning doing a more detailed post of installation when I have time, cost about £700-750 all in. Out today, can follow up later if it helps.

View attachment 140202

It looks like a great kit! I’m planning to put one together as well.

This summer I bought a T5, and the previous owner had already made some upgrades to the electrical system:

• Victron Energy Orion-Tr Smart 12/12-30 DC-DC charger
• Blue Smart AC-DC charger 12/30/1
• 2x Vanvolt Arctic 100Ah 12V smart batteries

Now I’m planning to install a solar system too.
I saw the Kalifaktur German kit, but the price is insanely high. So I did some research using AI and blogs to assess the best solar panels on the market, and I ended up finding this one:

• https://lensunsolar.com/collections...ducts/lensun-400w-2x200w-flexible-solar-panel

together with:

• Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT 150V 35A charger

I’d really like to find a spiral cable with the proper gauge for the kit, as well as the type of mounting plates you have, instead of building a full DIY setup.
The solar panels I’m considering have the following dimensions: 1110 x 1055 mm.

Does your kit have custom-made plates, or did they come included?
Does anyone know of a source for Cali mounting plates in different dimensions, or someone who makes custom ones?


Thanks in advance!