Be gentle with me, advice greatly received.
- Thread starter susarich
- Start date
wildebus
Forum Member
Generally speaking Mono panels are around 5%-10% more efficient. Poly can be better in some circumstances but Mono overall better (and are slightly more expensive)
I prefer multiple panels to single large ones personally. Advantages I see are easier to handle, better suited to vibration and if you get damage to one panel you still have a 2nd working and cheaper to replace. Other people may see it differently.
Controllers .. different people like different brands but there is no doubt that an MPPT Controller (like the Victron in your Screenshot and the Votronic in trevskodas post) are much better than a PWM Controller.
I prefer multiple panels to single large ones personally. Advantages I see are easier to handle, better suited to vibration and if you get damage to one panel you still have a 2nd working and cheaper to replace. Other people may see it differently.
Controllers .. different people like different brands but there is no doubt that an MPPT Controller (like the Victron in your Screenshot and the Votronic in trevskodas post) are much better than a PWM Controller.
susarich
Forum Member
Ok so i had originally thought i wanted lithium batteries, which my dad then talked me out off. My husband has no questioned this decision, so now wondering if lithium is a good idea.
My one fear is running out of power.
But of course if i do decide on lithium they are so expensive compared to the other options.
There are far too many decisions, its messing with my head.
I knew it wasn't going to be easy but wish there was only a few options to choose from.
SquirrellCook
Forum Member
It doesn't feel right when something that should be enjoyable messes with your head. It's no help at all, but I often find that if I compromise with an idea I often regret it. Do what you want after listening to others ideas. If you do make a mistake you can be proud that it was yours. 
susarich
Forum Member
Haha i like this idea.It doesn't feel right when something that should be enjoyable messes with your head. It's no help at all, but I often find that if I compromise with an idea I often regret it. Do what you want after listening to others ideas. If you do make a mistake you can be proud that it was yours.
xsilvergs
Forum Member
We've just changed from AGM (lead acid) to Lithium, the difference is like night and day to us. If you can afford Lithium there are advantages.
We bought Ecotree LiFePO4, they come from a British company who were very helpful. Email Paul paul@transporterenergy.co.uk
Look on YouTube for Urban Motorhome.
susarich
Forum Member
You see i think this is what i need. I need to make part of the decision, if someone then can point me to the final destination. Ie if i decide on lithium, then i just want to know which is the best one for the best price. I am definitely not a brand name kind of person, but i don't want to buy the cheapest if its rubbish.
SquirrellCook
Forum Member
Forget what battery you want, initially it's meaningless. It's like buying a camping stove for starting a bread making business.
What electrical items are you going to want? List them.
How long are you going to use each item for? List the time in the day and how often each week.
Then look up what voltage they are and how many Watts or Amps they consume.
Once you know you electrical demands you can then start to think about how your going to provide it. This will then guide you to the size and type of battery you require.
Still not that simple, once you start to ogle the size of your battery/batteries. Can you fit them in your space and weight capacity?
You then may have to repeat the exercise based on what you need and what you want.
It's like being back at school lol
What electrical items are you going to want? List them.
How long are you going to use each item for? List the time in the day and how often each week.
Then look up what voltage they are and how many Watts or Amps they consume.
Once you know you electrical demands you can then start to think about how your going to provide it. This will then guide you to the size and type of battery you require.
Still not that simple, once you start to ogle the size of your battery/batteries. Can you fit them in your space and weight capacity?
You then may have to repeat the exercise based on what you need and what you want.
It's like being back at school lol
wildebus
Forum Member
When it comes to batteries there is certainly no "one size fits all".
What is best overall for your needs will be different to what is best for someone else. SquirrelCooks suggestion is a very good starting point to the kind of capacity you might need.
In the last month I have supplied Lithium Batteries, Lead Carbon and Lead Acid batteries. Each one was the right battery for that person with what they wanted to do for the budget they had and the space they had available.
Then you consider the kind of Motorhomer you are - wildcamper? park up and stay for a week? new spot every day, campsite user? All these factors help decide where to best put your presumably limited budget (everyone has a budget, after all). There is no point in spending loads of solar and ignoring Mains charging if you like to stop at campsites each night. You will get more return from Solar than a B2B if you like stopping off for a week and not driving anywhere.
What is best overall for your needs will be different to what is best for someone else. SquirrelCooks suggestion is a very good starting point to the kind of capacity you might need.
In the last month I have supplied Lithium Batteries, Lead Carbon and Lead Acid batteries. Each one was the right battery for that person with what they wanted to do for the budget they had and the space they had available.
Then you consider the kind of Motorhomer you are - wildcamper? park up and stay for a week? new spot every day, campsite user? All these factors help decide where to best put your presumably limited budget (everyone has a budget, after all). There is no point in spending loads of solar and ignoring Mains charging if you like to stop at campsites each night. You will get more return from Solar than a B2B if you like stopping off for a week and not driving anywhere.
susarich
Forum Member
Makes sense.
I can't really see myself on campsites much at all.
I guess really i have it in my head i might be moving to a different location each day (living in my van) however that being said i am sure when or if i find a nice spot then i may want to stay put for 3/4 7 days. I was initially looking at 2 way fridges but now toying with a more expensive 3 way fridge so i could have the possibility to switch over to lpg in case of low battery power.
wildebus
Forum Member
Now ... this is pretty important ....
A three-way fridge is only really usable on gas when wild-camping. It's electrical use is very inefficient and in reality you would have to have a pretty good setup to run off Battery Power ( I have 400Ah and I could not run my 3-way Fridge for a full day off batteries).
Compressor Fridges are the only real option if you want to not be reliant on LPG. I am not aware of any Compressor/LPG dual fuel fridge so for a wild camper it does come down to Compressor and use battery power, or 3-Way and use LPG.
Price wise, a good compressor fridge will be no more expensive than a decent 3-way Fridge. Personally I would go Compressor and if someone offered to take my 3-way fridge out of my Motorhome and put a compressor in its place, I would agree in a heartbeat.
A good compressor fridge will use maybe 40Ah in a day, so when you are working out how much you need, plug that number in. A 100W Solar Panel will more than make up for the power the Fridge users in spring to autumn.
xsilvergs
Forum Member
@susarich
The last thing I bought was the battery but everything I purchased before that could be adjusted/setup to run with whatever battery I bought. When I had the solar I wanted I then bought the battery to store the energy I could harvest. Our van is only 6 metres long, space is limited not weight, so lithium was the only option in my opinion. The sun doesn't shine every day, especially in the winter and we often spend three nights without moving.
So much to consider
The last thing I bought was the battery but everything I purchased before that could be adjusted/setup to run with whatever battery I bought. When I had the solar I wanted I then bought the battery to store the energy I could harvest. Our van is only 6 metres long, space is limited not weight, so lithium was the only option in my opinion. The sun doesn't shine every day, especially in the winter and we often spend three nights without moving.
So much to consider
Tookey
Forum Member
I am a novice like you but do research stuff;
With your description of expected van use and the price of gas I would go with a compressor fridge, I suspect the price of gas will only ever increase. Personally (I really mean that) I would not spend the money on lithium at the start of camper career but rather start off relatively basic as a solar set up can be upgraded a step at a time if required.
To be honest running out of power isnt the end of the world is it and if really necessary you can go for a drive
With your description of expected van use and the price of gas I would go with a compressor fridge, I suspect the price of gas will only ever increase. Personally (I really mean that) I would not spend the money on lithium at the start of camper career but rather start off relatively basic as a solar set up can be upgraded a step at a time if required.
To be honest running out of power isnt the end of the world is it and if really necessary you can go for a drive
Deleted member 4404
As you are not certain of your requirements yet, I would advise buying a good quality controller, and b2b if needed. Over the years I've fitted many different makes to boats and vans and I now avoid ebay cheapies and buy Victron. As long as you get one large enough to cope with any future increase in solar panels you won't have to keep changing/upgrading. Good luck with whatever you choose.
Tookey
Forum Member
Also you can be pleased with yourself........your first move was very sensible which was to ask for help. My initial thoughts (and is wise for some) were if I researched every component and came to my own unassisted conclusion I would have a very good understanding of my system, the reality was I fried my brain, was more confused than when I started, became overwhelmed and then lost all enthusiasm!
Then I got help and am installing a suitable system for my needs this coming BH weekend.........and it's not lithium
Then I got help and am installing a suitable system for my needs this coming BH weekend.........and it's not lithium
susarich
Forum Member
Yes i think i hav now definitely decided no lithium, definitely being a word that can be changed. Lol.
Difference in prices of fridges. 50 litre 2 way about £150 cheaper than a 3 way 80 litre.
Lemut
Forum Member
Can I suggest this guy (no connection). For a very modest fee he will provide you with all the information and advice you will ever need to get a system that will fulfil your needs. See attached for an example of one of the many drawing inns I have. https://www.tomsvanbuildconsultancy.co.uk/About
I'm using his services myself now and have come across many others who have used his services. He really knows his stuff and the after support is brilliant.
I'm using his services myself now and have come across many others who have used his services. He really knows his stuff and the after support is brilliant.
SquirrellCook
Forum Member
Better still our advice is free, and our combined knowledge vast.