Parts list for a Solar Panel Setup - Updated 1st Post 17/04/2017

So after some research I have opted to install a solar panel to my van and having worked out that whilst 200w would be lovely, its simply overkill for my needs as my biggest draw is the Waeco Fridge and we rarely camp without moving the van for more than 2 days.
(Update: 16th April 2017 - decided to go for 2*100w after all)

Following advise received in this thread, the plan is as follows (And will be kept up to date with any new parts I swap out or new items I add)

To keep things simple and to overcome the 10 image limitation, please see the following:


1. Solar Panel
I have decided that its going to fail at some point and as such not entirely keen on just one panel and also physically attaching it to the pop top area with Sikaflex will make it difficult to remove. There were two options really the slightly more expensive BIARD panels (5 year guarantee) or these ones at 269.99 for 2x100 watts (also with 5 year guarantee)
http://www.friendlygreengiant.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=25&product_id=49

Cost per watt is 1.15 for these compared to the 1.50 from Biard
http://www.beamled.com/80w-semi-flexible-solar-panel.html
and I get 200w instead of 160.


2. MPPT Solar Controller - Votronic MPP Solar Regulator 250 Duo – 107.72

• I opted for this one as I wanted the ability to take a feed to the second (main van battery) so that will trickle charge that at 1amp. In theory, my existing Intelligent Charge Relay should do this but it doesn’t seem to do that when I am on electric hook-up.
• I also think the display meter I have chosen is more pleasing than the MT50 (a common alternative when using the Photonic Tracer)
• Finally the size of the Photonic Universe Tracer Solar Controller is far larger

• Photonic Universe: 22 x 15.4 x 5.2
• Votronic: 13.1 x 7.7 x 4.0

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00JYBZG96/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

3. Display Meter – Votronic LCD Solar Computer S - Will mean I can tuck the large MPPT unit away out of site (thinking in the wheel well, though they suggest vertically mounted) - 71.97
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product...act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3FRBWIGN5Z066
Update: 16th April 2017 - A lovely bit of kit made in Germany.

4. MC4 Panel Connections to Controller – 15.99
I really didn’t think I would need 15 metre length but I ordered so I have plenty to play around with when routing the cabling in the interior to the wheel well. I will be cutting one of the connectors of the ends anyhow.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152375958674

5. MC4 Solar Panel Connectors Cable Connectors - Male & Female Set – pack of 10 – 7.99
I figured best to have some spare stuff in case I screw something up..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152375713568

6. MC4 Branch Connectors - 9.98
Will use these to join the 2 panels together
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162365353308

7. Wiring from Leisure Battery to Solar Controller. – 13.40
Again I ordered 5 metre of 4.5mm as I can use the leftover for another project. Rating of this should be more than sufficient (this should be 42ish)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-CORE-TW...hash=item41c1c61a03:m:mrHXhW-w0IpHW_3v6LAyUHw

8. I will also be running a wire from the Solar Controller to the Main van battery and using a 5amp fuse and 2.5mm wire for this. Again that’s in the Votronic Solar Controller Document
Checked in the shed and havent got much left so bought a new roll of wire for me to use
30m - 12.99
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321326436914?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=510233802435&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

9. Inline fuse from Leisure Battery to Solar Controller – circa 5 quid
I opted for a 20 amp fuse in line with the install documentation for the Vntronic Solar Controller
http://www.photonicuniverse.com/upload/file/Manuals/Votronic/MPP165_250_350_430_user_manual.pdf
Decided to follow @theBusmonkey approach and keep wiring consistent so opted for one of these
http://www.altecautomotive.co.uk/maxi-blade-fuse-holder-with-cover-829-p.asp

10. No longer required

11. No longer required

12. No longer required

13. Sikaflex 252 – 14.89
Something to bond the panel to the poptop
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SIKAFLEX-...867097?hash=item3f7752fd19:g:Kk8AAOSw4CFYwv~V

14. IPA 100% | 1 LITRE | Lab/Pharma. Grade | Isopropyl Alcohol/Isopropanol (99%) 1L – 6.39
Something to clean the poptop properly before adhesive
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141522873981

90 elbow ip68 glands - 5.19
packet of 8
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282271367277

towline - 8.51
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008SNFYM0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Welcome any comments from those in the know...

 

@Bertiebot @Razzyh @sANDYbAY @theBusmonkey @Lord Congi @pkrboo

 

Looks good to me Andy. All the bits you need are there & buying a kit takes the hassle out of sourcing all the components individually.
It looks like a MPPT controller is included in the kit, so why not as every little ampy fragment helps. The algorithms really do work on the quality controllers.
I'd live without the meter personally as it's another draw on the system (tiny I know) and another component to fail, but that's just me. @pkrboo has one & loves being able to monitor the panel performance from inside the bus.
Whatever works for you.
Sikaflex for me as I have no experience with U Pol, but they are similar classes of adhesive so you pays your money etc.
Looking forward to the pictures
Let's hope we have a sunny summer...

 

Sikaflex (I use Tigerseal ) around the outside edge of the panel that way if it needs to come off its easier to cheese wire it off.

if you are going through the poptop roof and staying outside of the van don't waste money on a cable gland just use some gromets. but DO use one going into the van through the roof obviously

 

remote meter is not really needed but nice to have

 

...it allows you to sit with a Cypriot brandy & smugly consider the tiny draw from the compressor chest fridge.
You've got one haven't you?

 

Oh my god.......

 

Chortle..

 

That looks like a good parts list

 

The thing is I was intending to have that as the only means to check if things working etc, the main MPTT will be tucked out of the way as it is rather large and I dont see the point having on display as such

compressor fridge? oh yeah Waeco CR50, one of the best investments in the van I made

I think so, seems to cover all the bases

 

Yes i have, I'll show you it at techenders

@Dicky you can have a look too if you want

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

This was some/all of my shopping list. Some needed some maybe not but I wanted everything just in case

Waterproof adapter

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121722381872

Grommet

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252734786969

MPPT

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112239067809
Fuse

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/351517714719

Cable

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152375958674

Connectors

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152375713568

Y connectors as I have 2 panels

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162365353308

Cleaning fluid

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141522873981

Sticky stuff

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162069794510

And finally panels these but 100W

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00NK8TQUY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_YH97ybG2XKHHD

 

I see you got the 252 rather than the 221 @Razzyh
221 is more of a sealant than an adhesive.

 

One other question what sort of fusing shoudl be installed here, there is no mention of that in any of the threads as far as I can see. I would assume that a fuse between batter and panel

Awesome - thank you!

An aside, just wanted to check if it would be better swapping the charge controller for this one
https://www.photonicuniverse.com/en...ler--regulator-for-up-to-50V-solar-input.html
and display
http://www.photonicuniverse.com/en/...c-Dual-Battery-solar-charge-controllers.html/

reason being that it will charge the main battery too.....

 

I will admit I was given a shopping list so I can't take any credit. It was all @theBusmonkey hard work

 

These have the same ebay item number....

 

Looks like the mpp in the link above has a built in fuse. I think I need to put one between battery and mppt but I'll see what counsel say

 

Yeah, exactly that. I've got a 20amp in line fuse in a holder cable tied to the battery handles.
The cable is rated much higher than this so I primarily use the fuse as a quick & safe way of disconnecting the panel from the battery without having dangling live wire!

 

I'm a numpty... I brought it 3 times...

Original post updated

 

I shall be Too busy trying to light the burner on my electrolux!