Installing SOLAR on a Swift 674 MOTORHOME

[@Sam-ch9mn]

I do like the fact you do these DIY projects even though it’s clear you’re not an expert. You encounter the problems most of us would and talk through the resolution. Gives hope to those of us less adventurous MHers.

[@2.4inaVan]

Thanks for the feedback Sam, I appreciate it

[@paulvose3177]

You’re a braver man than me drilling holes in the roof. Luckily our Autotrail already had solar fitted but I am going through a similar process to have a dedicated panel in the windscreen to just top up the vehicle battery as when the van is in storage the Sargent system prioritises the leisure battery’s and it won’t start over the winter! What a coincidence we also have an identical blue Beemer is yours a convertible?

[@2.4inaVan]

It is :-) love of outdoors!

[@termikina]

El regulador lo más cerca de la batería, no utilizar la preinstalacion de la placa de la autocaravana que está muy limitada. Cableado del panel solar al regulador de 6mm² con fusible cerámico de 16A Salida del regulador a la batería de 10mm² batería y fusible mega de 32A Regulador Victron 100-20

[@alextoplis8006]

With 75/10 controller you only need 140w to output 10amps so only need 54% efficiency of the panel. Any enhancements in the future I would think about bypassing the Sargent control panel as you can go beyond 10amps.

[@2.4inaVan]

I might have my maths wrong but 140w / 12v = 11.6A at 100% efficiency. Am I wrong?

[@tommyjack813]

Grateful for the video but the charge controller should be located as near the battery as possible. This is to minimise voltage drop due to resistance in the copper wire. Having said that I have a system that charges the leisure and vehicle batteries. The solar charger is within 0.5 metres of the leisure batteries but nearly 6 metres from the vehicle battery. To keep voltage drop less than 3% I have used 6mm cable . Because the vehicle battery is charged by a smart alternator I take care to remove the fuse from that arm of the circuit when I start the engine; otherwise the alternator will blow a fuse on the leisure battery.

[@2.4inaVan]

Appreciate the insight. There is another video where I add another panel. This panel is now routed directly to the leisure batteries which have been swapped from lead acid to lithium. The charge controller is right next to them. I've added a second smaller panel to charge the vehicle battery via the Swift charger. Take a look if it's of use?

[@stevesswiftkontikiontour649]

If i use a victron 100/20 charge controller controller will it be ok as thats what i have ordered

[@marklondon9004]

Question, how confident are you about the panel not detaching at speed?

[@2.4inaVan]

@@marklondon9004 very confident, we've done 14,000 miles since installation and it's solid as a rock

[@marklondon9004]

@2.4inaVan good to hear, thanks. I have a micro van, and want to minimise holes in the roof

[@2.4inaVan]

@@marklondon9004 good luck with your project

[@remog38]

I have drilled holes in our motorhome roof and walls really is tight buttocks time good video ? what was 21amps that flashed up .all the best .

[@2.4inaVan]

I said in the video that the max amperage from the panel is 10A but that's at 24v, it's 20amps at 12v. My view is that as long as you drill pilot holes and are careful sealing the holes then there's no problem drilling holes in the roof. Sikaflex is a good product because it will move if under strain whilst maintaining the seal

[@andrewdarby8827]

Hi you said any excess power would be let off as heat dissipation, wouldn't an extra battery take up the extra generated? Not too brilliant with solar etc myself so it might be a stupid question!

[@2.4inaVan]

Apologies, I probably didn't explain very well. This was the additional heat that would be generated in the MPPT controller if the solar panel outputted it's full 20A capability. I've actually made some changes to this setup now which you might be interested in? Split into two parts: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYOknmR3aNNkrK8 and kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2HSpJqJgdual5Y

[@TheMotorhomeMiles]

Why is Daniel Craig in your microwave 3:49 😂

[@2.4inaVan]

😂 my father in law will be very flattered

[@motorhomeelvisuhhuhhuh5498]

Hi ,could you let me know what you stick the feet of solar panels to roof thanks

[@SteveBPiercy]

Silaflex

[@stephenfoster1971]

i just bought the sargent 100w kit and came to fit it to my escape 674 but when i looked in the void above the microwave there was no connector. i took of the wood panel over the top of the control panel and found it had been tucked in there rather than being fed through to the cupboard, no space to push it through so it now needs a hole drilling through the cupboard to get it through!! hopefully it'll be mounted this week and i can get the free charging for off gridding.

[@2.4inaVan]

How frustrating. Glad you found it in the end though. I'm currently in the middle of some serious rejigging and upgrades to the power in the van so if you're not already subscribed you might like to, to see what we're doing!

[@stephenfoster1971]

@@2.4inaVan I know, right pain in the posterior!! Yeah I'm subscribed and will be interested in seeing what you're planning. I'm going to add a second battery in the base of the chair behind the driver's seat where the water pump is as it's dead space that can be better used

[@2.4inaVan]

@@stephenfoster1971 great minds! 😉

[@Lostsome]

Do al motor home have that plug above microwave to connect solar panels in to ?

[@Lostsome]

Do al motor home have that connector above microwave to connect in to ?

[@timjones4844]

Where did you buy the 260 w panel and controller , what are the model numbers ??

[@2.4inaVan]

Hi Tim, you'll find links to all the kit in the description

[@donaldhaughey8391]

Was you leisure battery connected to you vehicle battery at all.

[@2.4inaVan]

You couldn't explain your question a little more could you?

[@ipirrie6734]

Was one tube of sikaflex enough for 6 brackets? Did you use spacers to ensure you left the required thickness if sikaflex?

[@2.4inaVan]

More than enough, yes. Didn't use any spacers but you might prefer to do so

[@ipirrie6734]

Great thanks ​@@2.4inaVan

[@michael735014]

Did you already have 100 watt panel on your roof. And is your leisure battery under seat? Cheers mike

[@2.4inaVan]

No, we didn't have a panel at all. Yes, you're spot on, the leisure battery is under the driver's seat. Why do you ask?

[@michael735014]

@@2.4inaVan got 684 swift and thinking of swapping the 100 watt panel I have on roof which is rubbish but only got small battery under seat. I've built my own campervan so ok with the electrics many thanks for your reply mike..

[@2.4inaVan]

@@michael735014 no worries Michael

[@jeremyleighton3585]

Does this charge the vehicle and leisure batteries when the van is not being used?

[@2.4inaVan]

Yes, the Sargent controller decides what is most in need of charge and distributes it accordingly

[@jeremyleighton3585]

I have the Escape 684. I'm going to give this a go. Thanks for the video

[@2.4inaVan]

@@jeremyleighton3585 good luck

[@jeremyleighton3585]

Out of interest did you look into the body shell warranty with swift before you carried this out?

[@2.4inaVan]

@@jeremyleighton3585 it's a good idea to chat to them about it first