Montana solar.

I fitted a pair of Biard 100w semi flexible solar panels a few weeks ago that are charging two Varta LDF 90 batteries. They were the best for a poptop roof being lighter and having a lower profile than a standard solar panel. One starter battery and a leisure battery which took some fitting and a modification or two to the area under the drivers seat. The regulator is a Votronic MPPT 250. ( recommend be A&N Caravans in North Wales). I also bought and installed the remote control panel for the regulator to keep an eye on what is going on. The regulator itself is in the seat box close to the leisure battery to keep the cable run as short as possible which will reduce any voltage drop. The control unit has an LED screen that gives battery voltage, amps being used, % of capacity being used and so on. The system seems to be working well even though the battery capacity of 90 AH is not great but how much do you need for a small pop top campervan?.... I’ll let you know. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Love it, and not a Sargent ECU in sight....

bolero boy wrote:Love it, and not a Sargent ECU in sight....

Why the dig at Sargent ECUs?

I don't understand where this comes from Chris?

It's because then sargent ECU is power hungry

Thanks.

I wasn't even aware that Sargent did an ECU?

I suspect that even with the most power-hungry of power control systems, Biffo's setup is going to cope in Spain.

It looks good - you're going to have the same dilemma as I do with the Celex (do you position the van to get the best view, or so that the slope of the roof is best for solar gain?) but the angle of yours is less than mine, and I doubt you'll have to worry at all about it except late Autumn through to early Spring, if you go away then.

woodlice wrote:It's because then sargent ECU is power hungry

perhaps Dave hasn't read any of the xxx threads in this very subject?...
there's one on the go at the moment and the OP can't get enough juice to the cab battery (the Sargent module controls Smart charging but is so hungry it takes more power to manage the charge than the solar panel can deliver.....turn off the Sargent unit and he only gets leisure batrery charging...
in both cases, flat cab battery after a short time.....
glad to see  Biffo taking no chances....sensible decision.

Yes bolero boy, there's been a lot on here and other forums. I'm lucky that mines on hook up during the winter but without that and given how much these vehicles cost I'd be absolutely fuming

yes, having a hook up at home gets over the issue....a bit inconvenient and a workaround, no more....
what would really annoy is that, for those who spend a few days away from EHU would be in serious danger of having a flat cab battery when they try to leave the site...
the remedy is fairly simple, and has been mentioned many times, just pull the solar cable from the back of the PSU, conmect it to a decent spit charge regulator, conmect to batteries as desired....
however, back to the OP and Biff looks to have done a great job, with the rising roof a real asset....