Fitting Solar Panel on my VW Transporter T6 Campervan - with Victron SmartSolar Controller
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.พ. 2022
- Part 3 - Fitting Solar Panel on my VW Transporter T6 Campervan - with Victron SmartSolar Controller
My semi flexible solar panel is fitted on the van roof. This is how i fitted it.
I will update in future video on the performance of the panel.
This is another smart component which uses the Victron Connect app.
If you missed Part 2, I fitted the Victron Orion Charger, Smart Shunt, Battery Protect, Battery Sense, Lithium LiFePO4 110ah battery.
The Victron Connect app allows users to view the current status of the battery and its components, along with a history of how they have performed over time.
Fantastic products and would highly recommend to anyone.
I received great advice from www.batteriesandsolar.co.uk where I purchased all my components from. I will be going back in the next few days to purchase the Dodo Thermo Fleece Slimline so I can finish my roof.
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Whether you have a T5, VW T5.1, T6, T6.1 or even an older T2, T2.5, T4, the VW Vanlife scene is amazing, with so much help and assistance available for whatever project you wish to attempt. Panel van, Kombi, Converted Camper or VW California Beach or Ocean, enjoy the freedom van life brings.
The @Staycation Lifestyle van conversion is coming along nicely.
I bought a VW Transporter T6 Kombi Highline van 140bhp diesel SWB with tailgate.
Slowly turning it into a camper van / day van with bed. I will also need something for cooking, cooling, sleeping, drinking ?? Choices to be made.
I have lots more to do though, I have a new electrical system, using Victron components and a Lithium LIFEPO4 battery, so I obviously need to install some power devices. I have a new sound system, with Focal speakers and ibus 2.1 amp, Playstation PS4, which will be removable, TV's on headrests.
Lots for me to look forward too and it would be nice to take you on the journey.
Please do let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions.
Vanlife for me is just beginning, it's a great adventure and I'm loving it. 😍
There are many great camper adventures to come
Thanks must go to the following:
titantransporters.co.uk - Sourcing my van, providing advice and soon a paint correction and detail
tamarcaravancentre.co.uk - Advising me with many of my leisure equipment purchases, including my Thetford toilet
www.dream-ice.co.uk - Quality advise on my sound system upgrade
plyworxuk.co.uk - Suppliers of my Halo roof and ply products
www.batteriesandsolar.co.uk - 1st class advice and guidance on my electrical system install
stitchesandsteel.com - Seat covers, carpet, roof straps, changing mat
Transporter HQ for my tailgate struts
Kiravans for my Swivel Seats
If your looking for some free places to stay, have a look at the Britstops book www.britstops.com
Many choices of places to park up overnight and stay in their carparks including pubs, restaurants, adventure centres and even vineyards and breweries.
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If you click on my Amazon affiliate links, I may receive a commission. I will only link products I use and believe in.
Im a member of Devon & Cornwall Transporters. Have a look at the Facebook group and come along to meet the other friendly members
#vanlife #vanlifeuk #campervan #transporter #vwbus #adventure #rv #rvlife #camper #vwcamper #camper #staycation #wildcamping #offgrid #travel
Hi, will be interested to see what you get out of the solar panel on a sunny day 👍. One important thing to do if you want to test its output is to ensure that during the test you are drawing more than 150W from the 12V system you are charging. If you don't draw a load that is more than the panel can provide, e.g. if here is no load and the battery is fully charged, then the MPPT controller will just trickle charge the battery and you won't see what the panel is capable of delivering. I am about to fit solar to my California Ocean so I am very interested to see what you get out of a 150W panel in the U.K. - looking forward to the next video.
Absolutely right, I’ve planned out the devices to plug in. Just need some sunshine now. Will test in sunny conditions and overcast.
Hey, Can you tell me what type of roof bar you got on your van?
Thank you
Hi, did your panel stay stuck to the roof ok with the gaps inbetween. I know the gaps are a good idea to keep the solar cool
Some great videos, thank you. Is your MPPT ok? Reason I ask is Victron state you must connect the battery before the solar otherwise irreparable damage can occur, just trying to help other viewers. All the best.
Hi and thank you. Yes the MPPT has been absolutely fine
Hi, nice install. Just wondering where did you get that cable entry gland from? Thanks
Thank you. I got all my part from Batteries and Solar. The gland on its own is here www.batteriesandsolar.co.uk/shop-categories/side-entry-cable-gland-2-seals-website/
Thanks for the video , any noticeable noise from wind flow through the panel whist driving ?
No, nothing at all. It’s silent 👍
Hi mate, Do you have a vid about your roof rack? I like the look of it 👍🏼 can you give me some info about it please Cheers
Hi, I haven’t yet, but there will be one in the future. They are genuine VW rails I believe, however these are near identical dstonline.co.uk/vw-t5-t6-transporter-roof-rack-rails-3-cross-bars-set-swb-black-2003-15-on/?gclid=CjwKCAjw9e6SBhB2EiwA5myr9u25zzHNzf1SkFjXGVQ7BCoXO1a0nUoe9uqWyucb-e5vOwzw6X6_bBoCYA4QAvD_BwE
Do you have a video on your leisure battery setup? Looks like something I want to fit myself along with the sola panel? Thanks
There are a couple of videos of the electrics. The 2 videos before my solar one 👍
Thanks will take a look 👍
Hi Steve whats the specification of panel and where did you purchase it from what i like is thats its fairly stealthy install
I got them from batteriesandsolar.co.uk
The one I bought has now been replaced by a new version. It’s their own branded product
Do you mind me asking why the cables need to go in at the rear of the vehicle? I plan to place my cable gland more towards the windscreen end of the roof due to the way I want to route the cable to the Power Station
The cables exit the gland at the rear. The gland can be placed closer to the front of you wish. It’s to prevent rain water being driven into the gland when your driving
Ah I see, thats good to know thank you!
What is the make of the solar panel and how’s it been holding up?
This is the package I got www.batteriesandsolar.co.uk/shop-categories/complete-solar-kit-150w-flexi-etfe-with-victron-bluesolar-mppt-75-15/
It’s been really good, performance wise and it’s still stuck firm to the roof 😀
Hi, this video has a few months. Does the panel still holds fine with that glue?
Solid. I did wonder after the 30+ degree heat and also the recent minus temperatures, so I did actually check it and there is no sign of any deterioration at all.
@@StaycationLifestyle great. Thank you for the feedback :)
hi Hows the solar system been with all this nice weather ?
It’s been superb in the full sun. I’ve been told the cross bar will actually be hindering it, so am going to test again without it
Are you not worried about the heat that they will produce? I think it’s to much all together!
No it doesn’t seem to be any hotter than the rest of the van in the sun. It’s all good 👍
Why would they produce heat? As 10% of the insolation is dissipated as electrical energy the panel will be cooler than a passive surface.
Needs a heat barrier.
Why? The panel's only source of heat is sunlight, the same as the rest of the vehicle.
Should have put battery at rear.
Always start adhesive from middle if roof to the out side that way you don’t get it all over ya clothes when you lean across .