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Bristol newbie

Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 8:28 pm
by jonnyred
Hi all, first post so please bear with me. picked up my lovely Bongo last Thursday and have been running around buying or ordering all the bits that you need to get going. Just wondering if anyone knows of an auto electrician in Bristol or area who could fit a solar panel for me. I have found a place in Taunton but the price is a little high compared to buying all the bits. I want it wired into my Zig unit to trickle charge the leisure battery when im off festivalling and all the wiring hidden away nicely and a charge controller added. Any info gratefully received.

Re: Bristol newbie

Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 8:41 pm
by jonnyred
Actually guys you know what, i think this is a job best left to someone who knows their way round a Bongo electrics. Dont think there is anyone in Bristol doing this at the moment so im off to Taunton this week for some solar lovelyness.

Re: Bristol newbie

Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 10:53 pm
by g8dhe
A wise decision, Roger knows his Bongo's ! Also his mounts don't fly off the roof as a number of ebay specials do!

Re: Bristol newbie

Posted: Tue May 10, 2016 2:29 pm
by Jillygumbo
Agree with Geoff.

Can recommend Roger at SolarCamperSolutions.

Re: Bristol newbie

Posted: Tue May 10, 2016 9:22 pm
by jonnyred
ll booked in for Friday

Re: Bristol newbie

Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 8:26 am
by jonnyred
Off on my first bongo journey down to Taunton for the solar panel fitting, well excited !

Re: Bristol newbie

Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2016 12:07 am
by Syner
I'm a fellow Bristol based Bongo newbie. Do ADS Automotives do that sort of thing?

Re: Bristol newbie

Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2016 9:43 am
by Dogran
I doubt it, they are more of a traditional back street garage who specialise in Bongos.

Re: Bristol newbie

Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2016 9:54 am
by Bob
definitely Roger for solar panel.

ADS Are good for mechanical stuff.

We're in Nailsea. 8)

Re: Bristol newbie

Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2016 4:36 pm
by Jillygumbo
Defo recommend SolarCamperSolutions. Since my 100w flexible panel with remote controller was fitted by Roger in April, I haven't used EHU at all! OK I only use it for the fridge (compressor) internal lights and blinds but I have had no issues at all (touch wood).

Re: Bristol newbie

Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2016 8:18 pm
by JamieBennett
Really thinking about a solar solution, with two teenage kids and lots of gadgets it makes sense. No idea what to go for wattage wise but 300w seems to be the sweet spot, anyone got any experience of a similar system in the UK and if it is worth it?

Re: Bristol newbie

Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2016 9:54 pm
by g8dhe
To require 300 watts you van must be glowing!
Sit down and work out what your consumption is likely to be, that will also help you calculate what size of leisure battery you need as well, remember that you can only fit a size of battery that will fit on your tray and under the bonnet!

Re: Bristol newbie

Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2016 10:54 pm
by the1andonly
300W ?
forget about do you need it
What physical size is it
have you a tin top or AFT? dont forget the sun roof.
If you have a real need for that sort of power I know a guy
a Doctor really that with my spare
flux capacitor that could make a time machine without gull wings
ps 110W is probably a sensible max LB tou can get uder without denting bonnet

Re: Bristol newbie

Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2016 4:09 pm
by JamieBennett
I was thinking about max a couple of laptops (65w each = 130w), TV and freeview receiver (25w) , lights (10w?), mobile phones x 4 (10w x 4 = 40w) but looking at that its only just over 200w. I didn't factor in a fridge which would be too much. Staggering the usage so it isn't all at once we could probably get away with 100w then.

Re: Bristol newbie

Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2016 4:35 pm
by g8dhe
100Watt is the normal, which ensures that the fridge (compressor type) will run 24/7, and fits on the AFT nicely behind the window. Unless you had a much bigger LB then 100 Watt will be sufficient for all normal loads, remember its the battery that supplies the power most of the time in the evening/night, and then during the day its recharged by the solar panel and the alternator if mobile.
Bear in mind that you don't want to use more than 50% of the battery capacity anyway so 100AmpHr battery is really 50AmpHrs for a sensible life, and a 100Wat solar panel will give 5+ Amps Max. so say 4 Amps average over 8-10 hours, plus charging from the alternator will keep you going fine.