We always planned a solar panel, mainly due to the compressor fridge. We have 2x 100AH leisure batteries and a ctek d250s charger that connects engine battery, leisure battery, and solar panels via an MPPT controller to whatever needs the power.
For a panel we went for the biggest we could fit, and got a 120W one from ebay (!?)
We had considered flexible panels and other types, but went standard in the end. Extra height not an issue as the height is below the skylight anyway. We had bought and planned to use specific panel mounting brackets that look neat, but on our van were too chunky and neat.
Fortunately some advice from a friend made us reconsider Aluminium angle, and hence we went that route getting some aluminium angle cut to size by a customer of mine. This gives 810×50 surface area each side and raises the panel above the roof curve and allows the connection box underneath which can stay dry.
With some help from aforementioned friend (thanks Chris :)) – we drilled the panel and installed some rivnuts that I’ve not used before, but easy enough, 5x M6 bolts each side.
The ali angle then stuck to the roof with a tube of stixall and connected up, and hey presto, free energy!
I loved your conversion video. Respect.
where about did you make the hole for the solar panel cables?
Hi.
The panel is slightly raised on the brackets (but still lower than the skylight), and under there I have a waterproof box bonded to the roof, and the cables go into the rear side of that then into a hole through there inside the van. The hole is between the wooden bulkhead (where all the switches are) and the internal wardrobe wall – so it can’t be seen internally. Hope that helps
Thank you very much. It’s very helpful. Finally I managed to find time to start this conversion. Do you know/remember the height of the aluminium brackets?
Hi!
How long could you stay off-grid with your setup during a sunny holiday? Your record?
Greetings from Sweden!
Indefinately. Longest trip in this van was 6 weeks (Norway and Sweden!)
In the summer, the batteries were 100% charged by 9am or 10am from solar – and that was after running lights/laptop and fridge 24×7. Add in driving, and its even quicker. Over winter, the solar will struggle, but during the summer – 120w was totally fine.
(note: we did have 2x dedicated leisure batteries)