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It would seem that I should go down the solar route & this is where I was going until a couple of days ago when I thought that the generator was the easier option, perhaps not!
The solar panel world does appear to be rather complex & can cost an arm & a leg. It would appear that there is a balance to what room you have on the roof & how big your pocket is against the proposed output requirement.
As I said earlier we just need to keep the battery topped up & we can learn to be frugal with our power consumption.
I was looking on ebay at the 80w panel that other members have spotted & also Outdoor bits do a 90w kit for around £700 (I presume that the 5% discount applies). Any one have any thoughts on these panels or perhaps know where best to spend my pennies?
Can I ask, do these panels come with the cable pre-fitted to the panel or is there a connection block on them? If pre-fitted how long a cable do you normally get as I would want to drop the cable down into the wardrobe where I can pick up the solar connecter fitted by Autocruise?
Location: Bideford - a good place to test juddering Fiats and electric bikes.
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Bobmc wrote:
Many thanks for all of your prompt replies.
It would seem that I should go down the solar route & this is where I was going until a couple of days ago when I thought that the generator was the easier option, perhaps not!
The solar panel world does appear to be rather complex & can cost an arm & a leg. It would appear that there is a balance to what room you have on the roof & how big your pocket is against the proposed output requirement.
As I said earlier we just need to keep the battery topped up & we can learn to be frugal with our power consumption.
I was looking on ebay at the 80w panel that other members have spotted & also Outdoor bits do a 90w kit for around £700 (I presume that the 5% discount applies). Any one have any thoughts on these panels or perhaps know where best to spend my pennies?
Can I ask, do these panels come with the cable pre-fitted to the panel or is there a connection block on them? If pre-fitted how long a cable do you normally get as I would want to drop the cable down into the wardrobe where I can pick up the solar connecter fitted by Autocruise?
Best regards to all.
Buying the bits separately, my 120 watt installation cost, I think, <£550 but you can still have my Kipor for 33% of that
My panel had 1 metre tails which for me was sufficient to get through the gland into the van where I fitted a connectiion block. I think some suppliers will, at a price, fit whatever cable length you want or you can rewire it yourself from the connection box on the underside of the panel.
Last edited by TDG on Thu Jul 22, 2010 4:18 pm; edited 1 time in total ______________________________________________________________ Never let anything mechanical know you are in a hurry
Hi, we have an 85w solar panel all led lights and two 113ah leisure batteries and still end up using our 20i Honda Generator.
Depends how long you stay anywhere, and how much power you use.
We use the laptop 3.4amps and also use a spin dryer every other day, just been to Devon for 3 weeks without moving, had a fair bit of sunshine and used 3lts of petrol. A lot of these Solar kiddies wear blinkers, sometimes I'm impressed with Solar but not very often. The 10i Honda is a great bit of kit and works every time you need it. Bob.
80watt panel with all the bits.. Total was £230 !!!
See the solar section...
Yes, panel that I bought off ebay did come with the cables pre-fitted but I also bought an extension to allow me to get it into the wardrobe. From there 4mm cable down to the regulator and batteries..
Never had to plug the van in at home ever since..
As mentioned ref Generators, Noisy and with having to carry the weight, spare fuel and the cost of petrol I just cant see that it's viable unless you run lots of power zapping equipment...
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Germany
but you can still have my Kipor for 33% of that 
sometimes I'm impressed with Solar 
but not very often. The 10i Honda is a great bit of kit and works every time you need it. 
