Solar panels

[bristolracer]

Hi all
As the camper will be seeing less use in the winter, i was thinking of getting a solar panel to keep the leisure battery healthy.
The main van battery will get a cycle as we normally get the van out once a week for a warm up run ( i dont like the idea of a vehicle sat about for weeks on end, liquids and oils all resting etc)

So my research shows up two possibilities
1) a small panel just to keep the battery topped up, rested on the dashboard connected via croc clips
2) something a bit beefier say 60 watts that would run the fridge if we are off grid (fridge is 12v or 240 rated at 43 watts, leisure battery is 85 amp hour so it hammers the battery pdq) I would fit an external socket for this so it could be placed as needed when on site.
So my questions are

Would the large panel be overkill for winter charging?

Where to buy? I see lots on a well known auction site that claim to be "bosch" panels but I guess are chinese copies

Thanks in advance

[lescombes]

I'm new to solar panels but I have a Kit made specific for my Mazda Bongo from http://www.solarcampersolutions.co.uk/
Now Roger is now working on VW kits as well but I'm sure he will be able to help if you email him.

The Kit I have is the 100w one and like Roger's website says it runs my Compressor fridge and charges the battery during daylight even when stationary. Now putting this into context my Compressor fridge uses about 15 amps a day during the summer and 12 amps this time of year so with lights/tv/charging I was getting 4 days without needing to charge my Leisure via the engine/mains

Now.... I can sit there full time without running the engine etc as the solar does the job for me.
Yesterday the panel was pushing 14v into the Leisure battery and just now it's pushing 12.8v at first light.
For me, this kit has been installed (by me) for a month now and I have had the fridge on full time since.... and the leisure hasn't been troubled at all. One quick reminder, the Solar will charge while stationary, when on the move the vehicle's split charge system takes over then on switch off when you park....solar takes up the charge again

Solar & Compressor fridges are the way to go and will be in the Caravan industry very soon

[bristolracer]

That looks a great solution, and they are only an hour away from me.
I will follow that up in the spring ready for next season, means we do a bit more off grid, choose our pitch on where we want to be rather than where electric dictates.

Thanks for that.

[donaircooleone]

Get the biggest you can in your budget really, anything under 80W isn't really worth considering.

What 'van is it on?

[bristolracer]

Its a toyota Regius (based on a hiace) 3 Litre turbo auto, Gets me to Cornwall a lot faster than the V dub boys

Ill dig a pic out and post it on the kit thread