Solar panels

[ukracer]

I need to fit a solar panel to ensure my tracker stays active during the winter when not connected to the electric.
(Supply to the field is isolated)

I have two x 260ah fitted to van currently but they are both defunct and go flat in minutes if electric goes off.

So my plan is to fit a 110ah battery and a solar panel to keep things active during the winter.

Anything to look for and what size is sensible..

 

[fizzy]

What is the current draw on the tracker? Self discharge of the battery is usually about 5% a month so can be overlooked.
Solar panels are often on offer in maplin.

 

[carbon]

Are you looking to fit the panel on the roof of a van. Depends on how you want to mount it. There are flexible panels but I have only had experience with framed panels. Have a 1m x 1.25m panel on the roof of my trailer to keep the batteries charged, which is capable of producing about 8amps max (24v system) you would also need a charge controller

 

[ukracer]

Not sure its actually a cobra but its fitted with an internal battery that should keep it active. It died 2 years ago and they say its not replaceble so my plan is to try and cut it apart and fit my own battery.

I also have another tracker I will get details of that..

 

[ukracer]

Are you looking to fit the panel on the roof of a van. Depends on how you want to mount it. There are flexible panels but I have only had experience with framed panels. Have a 1m x 1.25m panel on the roof of my trailer to keep the batteries charged, which is capable of producing about 8amps max (24v system) you would also need a charge controller

Yeah I will fit it with Sikaflex. Its held my awning rail on in 40mph winds so far..

 

[ukracer]

This is the link to it. https://www.rewiresecurity.co.uk/gps-tracker-tk-104-vehicle-car-tracker

 

[ukracer]

I was thinking of something like this.


But wondered what the different types meant. Subvoltaic etc.. What is better in Low light etc

 

[winchman]

I got this after lots of recommendations
http://www.alpha-batteries.co.uk/solar-panels/12v-150w-xplorer-mono-bosch-cell-solar-panel/
The cheaper 100w one would be fine for what you want though.
Or this
http://www.bimblesolar.com/offgrid/12v/12v-50w-pwm-kit?sort=p.price&order=ASC
The £10 jobs you see in motor factors are not worth a carrot.
Problem is you need a small one but its not much more to fit a bigger one
I was told to avoid the stick on flexi ones as they do not last and when they go wrong its very difficult to remove them.

 

[winchman]

Depending on the drain this might just keep the tracker going? assuming the tracker has an internal battery

I was thinking of something like this.
View attachment 118076

But wondered what the different types meant. Subvoltaic etc.. What is better in Low light etc

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10W-Solar...hash=item3d42115bb4:m:mQ_euBxS_dnfDvjSFIdwOsw
For the extra few quid I went for a bigger panel but mines on a motor home to run the telly etc, I gave up asking and looking as my head burst with all the info!
Hoping to fit it in the next few weeks

 

[wookie]

I was told to avoid the stick on flexi ones as they do not last and when they go wrong its very difficult to remove them.

They do last but only if you have to buy quality ones not the ebay cheap versions, I have fitted a fair few to boats. The main problem with the flexi ones are they are expensive for the amount of power that you get compared to the solid framed versions.

A charge controller is a must, it's worth getting a MPPT one and unless our customer wants some other brand we always fit a Victron Energy model as they're good kit and we've get no problems with them.

@ukracer since you're wanting it to keep your batteries charged up over winter you better fit a bigger system as they produce a lot less than the advertised power with the limited hours and strength of the winter sun, also you'd be better angling it to suit the low sun angle or the efficiency will suffer.

 

[voipio]

What is "subvoltaic"? Sounds like a misnomer.

 

[ukracer]

Also seen this tyo

What is "subvoltaic"? Sounds like a misnomer.

Just what was listed on eBay...it might have been photovoltaic

 

[fizzy]

https://www.maplin.co.uk/p/12v-le-v50-vertical-axis-wind-turbine-n26qu

Probably better with something like this.
A vertical wind turbine.

 

[wookie]

Ugh, don't like wind turbines, usually they are noisy even the so-called "silent" ones, also their claimed power output is usually wildly optimistic (That's me being polite).

 

[ukracer]

https://www.maplin.co.uk/p/12v-le-v50-vertical-axis-wind-turbine-n26qu

Probably better with something like this.
A vertical wind turbine.

If I fitted one of those the van would take off where its sited.... Lol

 

[ukracer]

If I fitted one of those the van would take off where its sited.... Lol

If it were £59. 99 I might have considered it.

 

[ukracer]

I got this after lots of recommendations
http://www.alpha-batteries.co.uk/solar-panels/12v-150w-xplorer-mono-bosch-cell-solar-panel/
The cheaper 100w one would be fine for what you want though.
Or this
http://www.bimblesolar.com/offgrid/12v/12v-50w-pwm-kit?sort=p.price&order=ASC
The £10 jobs you see in motor factors are not worth a carrot.
Problem is you need a small one but its not much more to fit a bigger one
I was told to avoid the stick on flexi ones as they do not last and when they go wrong its very difficult to remove them.

Ok i finally bit the bullet

Grabbed 2 x285watt panels of ebay so now i need a controller.

Any one got any suggestions on what to avoid?

 

[Fintray]

Those should keep your batteries charged up ok, as for a controller buy a recognised name like Victron as Wookie suggested and steer clear of any cheap tat from Ebay.

 

[Tinbasherdan]

I had a beaut, came off a marker buoy and was used to charge the nav lights. Kept my Landy battery topped up perfectly. The caravan dwelling scrotes relieved me of it

 

[MrFluffy]

Dont forget to factor in that the solar charge regulator for the panel will have a current drain too. I left my motorhome parked in the open barn and didnt hook it up, and checked it in spring and the lesuire battery was flat as a pancake.