I've searched the forum and found some great info on portable solar panels but couldn't find anything on fixed ones.

Our caravan has just gone to Jandi to have some repairs due to an accident earlier in the year where it hit a wall on one corner. Not good, very expensive to repair but fortunately insured. I'll add a post with more details on this separately.

Anyway back on topic, whilst it's at Jandi, as they are the experts on all things Eriba and certainly better than our local dealer we are going to get a few jobs done, one of which is a solar panel. Originally I was thinking of a portable one but Sandy suggested a fixed one could go on the pop top, which he had done recently and worked quite well.

I've had a look online and found this one https://www.photonicuniverse.com/en/cata...t-or-yacht.html but was wondering if anyone does have a fixed one and how they have found it.

We just want to have it to keep the battery topped up whilst in storage, then to top the battery whilst we are off grid at festivals ensuring we still have enough power for the mover at the end.

Any thoughts?

Surprised there hasn't been any replies to this post. I'm also interested in installing a fixed solar panel behind the poptop (when I eventually receive my new van) although I was thinking of the rigid panel as I don't fancy the idea of sticky adhesive all over the roof.

Great site at "photonicuniverse" though, they have a big range of panels to choose from - depending on the available area behind the poptop, would probably go for either the 200W or 250W which they claim can fully charge an empty standard leisure battery in around 5 hours of bright sunlight!

More research to do me thinks...

I did look at the rigid ones but they are much heavier and would be visible as they are a few cm thick rather than a couple of mm. The adhesive on the roof does concern me, however I'd prefer this to drilling holes I think. We also need it towards the front as our van in stored semi undercover at the storage site so it needs to be fairly forwards. Although at 2mm thick and 3kg in weight I can't see it impacting the pop top that much.

I like the idea of a more powerful one, but in reality for us we would never need it, as we don't use any 12v appliances apart from the lights and water pump.

I'll keep this thread updated if we do go ahead, I'm just waiting on confirmation from Jandi what would be suitable and how much the fitting cost will be so I don't void my Eriba warranty.

On a side note, if you go through the offers page on Caravan Club, if you are a member, you can get 10% off at Photonics Universe which is a pretty decent saving.

Note there is a fair sized vent in the roof behind the pop top.

Hello. We have had two 100 watt flexi solar panels installed on the pop up roof of our Eriba 420. A brilliant piece of kit . the wires go down through the roof into the wardrobe and from there into the battery compartment . A 500 watt inverter has been installed so we can charge our lap tops and other gadgets . Completely water proof. We have just returned from a 7 week trip 2700 miles which took us from Brighton to Shetland Islands and back. During that time we used EHU only a handful of times. At all other ties we staid in campsites but did not pay for hook up. That meant we could stay in the nicest of spots away fro the shower blacks etc.The panels provided all our electrical needs even when the sun wasn't shining at that included 45 minutes of heating up the hot water for a shower using the Truma water heater . We use the standard 80 amp battery that was supplied with the van but a lithium battery would be vastly better as it would store more usable power. Definitely worth investing in if you like the idea of being off grid.The suppliers are based in Worthing and specialise in converting VW campers . All good

Quote: robertwilson wrote in post #5

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Hello. We have had two 100 watt flexi solar panels installed on the pop up roof of our Eriba 420. A brilliant piece of kit . the wires go down through the roof into the wardrobe and from there into the battery compartment . A 500 watt inverter has been installed so we can charge our lap tops and other gadgets . Completely water proof. We have just returned from a 7 week trip 2700 miles which took us from Brighton to Shetland Islands and back. During that time we used EHU only a handful of times. At all other ties we staid in campsites but did not pay for hook up. That meant we could stay in the nicest of spots away fro the shower blacks etc.The panels provided all our electrical needs even when the sun wasn't shining at that included 45 minutes of heating up the hot water for a shower using the Truma water heater . We use the standard 80 amp battery that was supplied with the van but a lithium battery would be vastly better as it would store more usable power. Definitely worth investing in if you like the idea of being off grid.The suppliers are based in Worthing and specialise in converting VW campers . All good

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Hi Jamie,

A couple of years ago I researched putting fixed panels on to my triton, I did document my research via a post on the forum. At that time the net result for me was that it was not a viable option, especially when considering the costs. We spend 2-4 months away a year, and when you consider that Electric charges are about 5 euros a day (which you are normally paying for within your ACSI card rate out of season), the cost of implementation of such a project could not (in my case) be justified. Also I found out during my research that solar panels are not all they are cracked up to be and are prone to failure owing to excess temperature or temporary shadowing.

I did come across a very good website of a caravan service company (http://www.aandncaravanservices.co.uk/) who gave a good impartial view on fixed solar panels. Thier view was such (again at the time) was that the technology was not there yet and they had stopped installing owing to all the problems that their customers were experiencing with the technology.

Now as I said that was a couple of years ago, and as we all know that technology moves on an ever increasing pace, so it might well be worth another look. I would recommend that you check out thier website as they still give impartial advice, but have not restarted to install themselves.

You having raised the issue again means I will certainly look at the whole subject again but I still think that any cost analysis will show that it has no cost benefits.

Good luck and I will follow your thread to see how you get on.

Clippie

Quote: JamieB wrote in post #1

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We just want to have it to keep the battery topped up whilst in storage,

Any thoughts?

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Zitat

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then to top the battery whilst we are off grid at festivals ensuring we still have enough power for the mover at the end.

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Carry a spare battery in the boot of the car for these occasions.

No modification to the van no panels to buy probably cheaper than buying and fixing a panel

Just a thought.

I guess it depends how much power you would use for a festival ............. for me at a steam rally weekend a couple of led lights, flush the bog and fill the kettle now and again hardly bothers the battery at all.

What is so delightful about this forum and Eriba ownership is that we are such a differing bunch and that everybody's views are celebrated and accepted usually without too much criticism. It is rare to come across such a well mannered and helpful forum. As a new owner I have gained a huge amount of insight into our lovely van from the contributors to this site. Couldn't begin to name you all but you know who you are. Thank you.
Our solar installation was by no means cheap just shy of 700 quid all in. So yes the pay back period will be long. But for us its not only about the money but where we can stop for the night, keep warm and clean (yes we do use the shower) and its location location location. On sites with EHU we find the nicest positions are away from the shower block and electricity which we don't need. Even if a site is full if you don't require electricity they will usually find you a little corner. and for me I just love the thought of getting free ish energy from the sun. We will get our money back eventually. I will post some pictures of the installation as it a lovely job.

hi
we have 2 rigid ones on pop top at front work well, used inverter and a sewing machine last year while in garden,
solars were fitted before we got eriba.
gosh seems all the pics are been held hostage by photo site,
kind regards
p

This subject interests me as I now have a 2015 Familia with the all singing and dancing power unit in the wardrobe. The handbook indicates two connectors on the lower edge marked 'Solar Panel'. Does anyone know if this is connected to an internal charging regulator etc? If so, I could have a portable panel to plug in when not on EHU without much further expense, couldn't I?

Incidentally, we have just done 4 off mains nights with our 87Ah battery, charging tablets, phones, radio, lights and pump with no problems at all. We missed the electric kettle and toaster, but discovered breakfast muffins warmed through in opur double skillet a very tasty, if filling, alternative!

Doug

You still need a charge regulator and the special plug that goes into the control unit .

Quote: Dougd wrote in post #13

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Does anyone know if this is connected to an internal charging regulator etc?

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