Fitting Solar Panel on my VW Transporter T6 Campervan - with Victron SmartSolar Controller

[@BarcombeBoy]

To gain top efficiency from the panel I'd understood that they're best run cool and so it's beneficial to insulate them from the metal van roof using something like polycarbonate sheet. Am interested to know why you thought this was not necessary?

[@StaycationLifestyle]

You are right, some panels need a backing, BUT not all do. Panels are constructed differently and it’s best to check with your supplier which you have 👍🏼

[@ShamsterFilms]

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.

[@StaycationLifestyle]

Absolutely right, I’ve planned out the devices to plug in. Just need some sunshine now. Will test in sunny conditions and overcast.

[@awillyfootball]

Do you have a video on your leisure battery setup? Looks like something I want to fit myself along with the sola panel? Thanks

[@StaycationLifestyle]

There are a couple of videos of the electrics. The 2 videos before my solar one 👍

[@awillyfootball]

Thanks will take a look 👍

[@thomasholtby2049]

Thanks for the video , any noticeable noise from wind flow through the panel whist driving ?

[@StaycationLifestyle]

No, nothing at all. It’s silent 👍

[@magi.ballet]

Hello. Really cool video! Can i ask you please what kind of sikaflex and primer did you use for fixing the solar panel?

[@StaycationLifestyle]

Thank you. Mine came in a package. I used Soudaflex 40fc www.batteriesandsolar.co.uk/shop/104789-panel-bonding-black-soudaflex-40fc-silsfx40-262658?search=Silsfx40&order=name+asc

[@magi.ballet]

@StaycationLifestyle Thanks for the fast response! What I saw from the video you are using bondit HA6 RTV Silicone, is that right? I have almost the same solar panels and I'm trying to figure out what is the best way to fix them.

[@StaycationLifestyle]

@ ah that was for sealing the cable entry (just some extra security) as I used it for my roof bar bolts and the shark fin aerial

[@Ccfc595]

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

[@StaycationLifestyle]

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

[@Ccfc595]

Ah I see, thats good to know thank you!

[@davidallcock3981]

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.

[@StaycationLifestyle]

Hi and thank you. Yes the MPPT has been absolutely fine

[@BarcombeBoy]

Two years later and is your Eco--worthy panel still functioning as it should? I ask as Eco-worthy panels are very cheap and I'm a bit dubious about their quality.

[@StaycationLifestyle]

Mine isn’t an Eco worthy panel. Mine is working fine

[@scottyt78]

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

[@ant_hart]

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

[@StaycationLifestyle]

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

[@chriswilkinson2733]

Hi, nice install. Just wondering where did you get that cable entry gland from? Thanks

[@StaycationLifestyle]

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/

[@TheMase60]

Hi Steve whats the specification of panel and where did you purchase it from what i like is thats its fairly stealthy install

[@StaycationLifestyle]

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

[@Adventwore]

Hey, Can you tell me what type of roof bar you got on your van? Thank you

[@sujchallenge]

What is the make of the solar panel and how’s it been holding up?

[@StaycationLifestyle]

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 😀

[@pedroriding]

Hi, this video has a few months. Does the panel still holds fine with that glue?

[@StaycationLifestyle]

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.

[@pedroriding]

@@StaycationLifestyle great. Thank you for the feedback :)

[@jasonclaridge6439]

hi Hows the solar system been with all this nice weather ?

[@StaycationLifestyle]

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

[@jessicatruman8105]

Are you not worried about the heat that they will produce? I think it’s to much all together!

[@StaycationLifestyle]

No it doesn’t seem to be any hotter than the rest of the van in the sun. It’s all good 👍

[@atakd]

Why would they produce heat? As 10% of the insolation is dissipated as electrical energy the panel will be cooler than a passive surface.

[@couerl]

Needs a heat barrier.

[@atakd]

Why? The panel's only source of heat is sunlight, the same as the rest of the vehicle.