DiY 200W Solar panel installation for 280€

[guatebe]

Hello,

Here is the equipment I bought to install a 200W solar panel on a Cali T6.1 2024:

• Eco-Worthy 200W solar panel: €120
• Victron MPPT 100/20: €75
• 10A DC circuit breaker: €20
• Waterproof electrical enclosure: €10
• 4m black 6mm² solar cable: €12
• 4m red 6mm² solar cable: €12
• 4m solar extension cable + 2 MC4 connectors: €19
• Transparent Fix-All adhesive: €12

Important: For the VW shunt to take into account the charging current going from the MPPT to the rear compartment battery, I connected the negative cable coming from the MPPT to the chassis ground near the battery (not directly to the negative terminal of the battery, unlike the positive cable coming from the MPPT, which is connected directly to the positive terminal of the battery).

I installed the MPPT and the circuit breaker on the rear panel of the wardrobe, on the top shelf.

The battery I connected the MPPT to is the one located under the wardrobe.

To get a coiled cable from the solar panel, I wrapped the cable around a broom handle and heated it with a hairdryer.

To bring the cable from the solar panel into the vehicle, I used the existing cable gland.

Enjoy!

Some references:


Solar panel: https://fr.eco-worthy.com/products/panneau-solaire-mono-flexible-200w

MPPT: https://www.amazon.com.be/dp/B075NPQHQK?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Circuit breaker: https://www.amazon.com.be/dp/B0C53P2VHZ?ref_=ppx_hzod_title_dt_b_fed_asin_title_0_0

Electrical enclosuer: https://www.amazon.com.be/dp/B0BL3WV2XW?ref_=ppx_hzod_title_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1_0

 

[larrylamb]

What happens when your panel fails? I wouldn't want to be glueing onto the Cali roof personally.

 

[guatebe]

Yes, it was indeed a choice. It is always possible to add a metal support:


VW T5 T6 T6.1 California Aluminium Solar Mounting Plate for Solar Modules up to 70x110cm – Grünthal Mobilcamping


Should my panel fail, I will glue a new one on top of the old one.