Solar Panel Fitting

 
 
 
 
 
 
DILLIGAF
Love's the Craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: CULLYBACKEY
Posts: 127
Registered: 09 / 2011
My Motorhome: Buccaneer Clipper
Base Vehicle: Ford Transit
Subject:

Solar Panel Fitting

 · 
Posted: 05.11.2015  ·  #1
Hi all...Is there any solar fitters in the Co Antrim area as near to Ballymena as possible??

How much should I expect to pay for a good sized panel to be fitted to my van??

I haven't 1 clue about solar panels or the fitting of them, all I know is that its something we need for wilding as at the weekend 3 days in Howth without moving the van drained our battery & we want to avoid this happening again as much as possible...

Sorry for stupid questions in advance... :(


Ally
Founder
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Muckamore, Antrim
Age: 55
Homepage: motorhomecraic.com
Posts: 32599
Registered: 08 / 2011
My Motorhome: Lunar Roadstar 780
Base Vehicle: Fiat 2.8 JTD
Subject:

Re: Solar Panel Fitting

 · 
Posted: 05.11.2015  ·  #2
Hagans or Abbey Caravans, ads at the top.


...
 
Avatar
 
Subject:

Re: Solar Panel Fitting

 · 
Posted: 05.11.2015  ·  #3
I would recommend commend Simon at LTS (advert top of page)
They are in Moira area so might not suit you.

We were in Howth at the weekend too. The solar made a difference as the weather was so good but even at this time of year the sun is low and it produces less.


Dan and Bob
Love's the Craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Donaghadee
Age: 73
Posts: 213
Registered: 01 / 2012
Subject:

solar panels

 · 
Posted: 05.11.2015  ·  #4
Buy it online and fit it yourself 2 hours will do the job


Ally
Founder
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Muckamore, Antrim
Age: 55
Homepage: motorhomecraic.com
Posts: 32599
Registered: 08 / 2011
My Motorhome: Lunar Roadstar 780
Base Vehicle: Fiat 2.8 JTD
Subject:

Re: Solar Panel Fitting

 · 
Posted: 05.11.2015  ·  #5
Quote by DILLIGAF

as at the weekend 3 days in Howth without moving the van drained our battery & we want to avoid this happening again as much as possible...



Do you only have one battery?
Blow heating or gas fire?

If you fit 2 x 110 ahr leisure batteries and do not have blow heating, there is no reason why you cannot go 5 days without charging, assuming of course you are not heavy on batteries by using an inverter, have LED's fitted etc


DILLIGAF
Love's the Craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: CULLYBACKEY
Posts: 127
Registered: 09 / 2011
My Motorhome: Buccaneer Clipper
Base Vehicle: Ford Transit
Subject:

Re: Solar Panel Fitting

 · 
Posted: 06.11.2015  ·  #6
Quote by Ally

Quote by DILLIGAF

as at the weekend 3 days in Howth without moving the van drained our battery & we want to avoid this happening again as much as possible...



Do you only have one battery?
Blow heating or gas fire?

If you fit 2 x 110 ahr leisure batteries and do not have blow heating, there is no reason why you cannot go 5 days without charging, assuming of course you are not heavy on batteries by using an inverter, have LED's fitted etc



Hi, we have just 1 115 battery, our bulbs are just normal type bulbs, heating is gas & seldom used, normally only run a 12volt TV & a couple of lights..


Ally
Founder
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Muckamore, Antrim
Age: 55
Homepage: motorhomecraic.com
Posts: 32599
Registered: 08 / 2011
My Motorhome: Lunar Roadstar 780
Base Vehicle: Fiat 2.8 JTD
Subject:

Re: Solar Panel Fitting

 · 
Posted: 06.11.2015  ·  #7
First of all I would suggest changing all bulbs to LED and fitting a second leisure battery the same AHR as your own, 115, best case scenario two new batteries of the same AHR.

Then decide after that if you need solar.


JoeO'S
Love's the Craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Kildare
Posts: 149
Registered: 04 / 2016
My Motorhome: Hymer
Base Vehicle: Ducato
Subject:

Re: Solar Panel Fitting

 · 
Posted: 09.05.2016  ·  #8
dx.com (in Hong Kong)

Bought led lighting from them and they seem fine. Much cheaper than the shops.
They have lots of bits and bobs suitable for campers etc.
I've a 30W solar, which probably far to small, but it certainly seems to help the batteries.
You won't know yourself with the 100W panel!!
A Good regulator, short cables and fuses both sides of regulator seem to be the key points -from reading the forum.
We got 3 days from two 75Ah batteries, blown heating one night( 6-7 hours) about 5 hours of TV (Snooker Final). No Inverter used and did drive the van for a while one day.
Maybe driving the van recharged the batteries but even the small panel does help I think.
Good luck with the project


JoeO'S
Love's the Craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Kildare
Posts: 149
Registered: 04 / 2016
My Motorhome: Hymer
Base Vehicle: Ducato
Subject:

Re: Solar Panel Fitting

 · 
Posted: 09.05.2016  ·  #9
Posted on old thread/posting AGAIN. Sorry, ignore me. Joe


Ally
Founder
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Muckamore, Antrim
Age: 55
Homepage: motorhomecraic.com
Posts: 32599
Registered: 08 / 2011
My Motorhome: Lunar Roadstar 780
Base Vehicle: Fiat 2.8 JTD
Subject:

Re: Solar Panel Fitting

 · 
Posted: 09.05.2016  ·  #10
Quote by JoeO'S

Posted on old thread/posting AGAIN.


Nothing wrong with that :D


Hymer544
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Derry/Donegal
Age: 52
Posts: 573
Registered: 08 / 2013
My Motorhome: VW Crafter
Base Vehicle: VW Crafter 2.5tdi
Subject:

Re: Solar Panel Fitting

 · 
Posted: 10.05.2016  ·  #11
yes definitely agree with ally about LED's and second battery, that will make a big difference. If you do decide on solar You will find getting someone to fit will be very expensive all in. If you have basic DIY skills and tools and can get on the roof of your van, it really is a DIY job. I'm no expert and Ive done my last 2 vans myself with ebay panels. They do give great flexibility and choice of where you park/stay. I think all in I paid about 350stg for the full install on my van including panels, wiring, cconnectors and regulater. To get someone to fit i'd say you'll be lucky to get 2 panels fitted for twice that. I was quoted around 1100euro by a motorhome dealer for the exact same spec.


Selected quotes for multi-quoting:   0

Registered users in this topic

Currently no registered users in this section

The statistic shows who was online during the last 5 minutes. Updated every 90 seconds.