Hoping to go ff grid this year and we were considering getting a solar panel for our 2016 Triton 420GT.
I note that there are some posts already on the subject but with advances in solar technology I don't want to overlook any new devices.
I presume most people go for a freestanding unit (briefcase style) but what power do you consider as adequate ?
We have a small Avitex TV but I'm not sure of its power requirements (I'm checking that).
Fridge can be switched to gas, so that really only leaves lighting, water pumps and phone charging ... unless I've forgotten something.

So; recommendations and advice would be appreciated.

Go look at the Photonic Universe website. They are British based and really informative and helpful (I was pointed their way by someone else on this forum). On their home page, go to "Solar Applications" on the yellow bar near the top of the page and it leads to a very useful page "Caravans and Motorhomes". I have bought a 10W panel and controller plus leads and an Anderson connector from them and I am installing it tomorrow! I am only looking to keep my battery charged during storage times (I have a tracker, which slowly drains the battery). A 5W panel will keep up to an 80AH battery topped up, whilst a 10W panel will do larger batteries. I have bought a fixed panel (rather than a briefcase type) and attached it to a pole welded to a basic wheel lock - further details to be published when I have it all installed. Because I have a cover over the 'van I didn't want the panel in a window, or on the van itself - it also needs to be up high to "see" the sun over a large next door twin axle "normal" caravan. Here's hoping it will work well...

Hi,
We used a 50w free-standing panel for years to meet out battery needs over a week. We then tried a 100w rooftop panel, but found that for spring and autumn, the 50w was better overall if you can keep it facing the sun.
@simboc2004; I fear that a 10w panel will only just keep the battery maintained when not in use - I was hoping that it was a typo and you meant 100w.

In my experience, even 100w will only extend the battery life (certainly in the uk) so that it doesn’t fully discharge so quickly. Certainly it should last for around a week with a 110AH battery.

The other important part of the equation is to use an MPPT charge regulator rather than the cheaper PWM controllers commonly sold - this will increase the charging efficiency by up to 30-40%. Expect to pay £70+ for an MPPT version.

The good news is that costs of solar panels is much lower now than when I first kitted up; typically less than £1 per watt if you shop around. 🙂

Oh, and make sure to use heavy- gauge cable throughout to reduce volt-drop (affects efficiency). 2.5mm cable recommended.👍

Some great advice there - thanks everyone
Will go and look up the Photonics universe this morning.

The advice about the MPPT charger is especially interest - I have no idea what it does differently but I will research it fully
Thanks again
👍

Yes, that certainly makes sense.
I will contact Photonic about the efficiency of roof mounted vs free standing but I do like the idea of having a permanent 'plumbed in' solution.

That appears to be a good install - any idea of wattage and sizes.
There seems to be quite a few boxes of electronics ... yet to discover what they all do 👀

@simboc2004; I fear that a 10w panel will only just keep the battery maintained when not in use - I was hoping that it was a typo and you meant 100w.

Thanks for your concern @Inspecta_Gadget - No, I do mean 10W - my installation is ONLY for battery maintenance whilst in storage and, perhaps, occasional interior lights usage (as it's quite dark inside with the cover over) - it also isn't really sensibly portable. It was purely designed to get over the slow battery discharge that my unit gets in storage (one battery-out overnight charge needed already since putting it away and currently halfway to another).

Although, if site fees continue going up and up, I may consider a 100W+ roof mounted option as well for trips away! I will factor that in to my Solar Controller installation, as I am well impressed with the pop top and curly cable installation from @Pepé Le Pew...

I like the idea of off grid electric. To that end I bought a small Jackery 240 watt unit from Amazon. I also bought the Jackery 100 watt folding solar panel. It’s all really well made and worked brilliantly for us. We spent 2 weeks off grid. I used the on board gas to run the fridge and 2 burner hob inside our Troll 530. I then plugged the normal 240v EHU cable into the Jackery unit 13amp outlet. I then kept the Jackery charged up using the solar panel. This would typically produce 60 - 80 watts when facing the sun and easily kept the Jackery fully charged. I know I could get the solar panel to connect to the on board electric unit in the wardrobe (there is a input on the blue panel for a “solar panel”) BUT i would need to buy a good quality solar controller (£70 ish) and then pay an electrical engineer to wire it all in. This would also need an Anderson (or similar) connector on the outside on the van to make it a “plug and play” set up for the solar panel. So more cost there. My logic was to buy the Jackery for probably about the same money as installing everything needed to connect the solar panel to the on board leisure battery. So I now have a neat very well made portable power unit that appears to provide unlimited power for the Eriba’s lighting, water pumps and TV. The Jackery unit also came in handy recently when we had a power cut at home. I simply plugged the WiFi router into it which = a happy family as everyone was able to continue using phones and iPads. Happy Days, Robbie

T@B
What's that ??🤔

I’m curious. Do you think a T@B is an “upgrade” ????