Electrickery for camping

**vanderw** · 2025/02/25, 06:04 PM

Thanks all for the input. Much appreciated.

**Dungbeetle** · 2025/02/25, 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by vanderw

Hi All,

I have had this unit in my camping trailer for ages. It has started giving issues and now I need to replace it? What would be the Victron alternative for this or any other units I should look at?
Thanks
Chris

Can I take that one off yer hands?

**vanderw** · 2025/02/26, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by Dungbeetle

Can I take that one off yer hands?

Of course you can. I am in Pta East.

What would be a good combination for a Solar charger from Victron if I had a 160/200 Ecoflow sunpanel?

Thanks all.

**NvD42** · 2025/02/26, 11:07 AM

What is the "best" rigid panels for camping ?

I am not sure and need some help.

Thinking of 200W max and not sure if it should be FIXED or movable ...

We have Roof space of : Max 2090 mm x 1200 on canopy roof it is the https://customleisuretech.co.za/product/crt-1/

It is actually the hard shell RTT that is part of the canopy

There are rails already fixed on roof

Nico

**Mitsu Fan** · 2025/03/04, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by vanderw

Of course you can. I am in Pta East.

What would be a good combination for a Solar charger from Victron if I had a 160/200 Ecoflow sunpanel?

Thanks all.

This is what I use with 2 x 100 w panels
https://thebluestore.co.za/product/v...xoC0HAQAvD_BwE

**Jaybee** · 2025/03/11, 08:38 PM

Not sure whether this might have been asked somewhere else, but might one damage a LiFePO4 100A/h battery if using a C-TEK D250S DC to DC Solar Charger (i.e. C-TEK's "non-lithium compatible charger" - the D250SE?)

I ask because I can barely afford the Lithium battery without coughing more for a new solar charger as well.

**Jaybee** · 2025/03/11, 08:39 PM

Not sure whether this might have been asked somewhere else, but might one damage a LiFePO4 100A/h battery if using a C-TEK D250S DC to DC Solar Charger (i.e. C-TEK's "non-lithium compatible charger" - the D250SE?)

I ask because I can barely afford the Lithium battery without coughing more for a new solar charger as well.

**Will58** · 2025/04/30, 09:45 AM

Deleted

**Alberto** · 2025/05/09, 08:40 PM

when we bought our blinkgat from sarel in 2020 i started to wire the camper ,just reading through this forum to get a good idiee what is needed and what not ,that suited our needs , it is time to remove the old stuff and look into the modern electrics ,

that is when i looked at a program of 4xoverland of andrew st pierre white and partner hein where they developed the EGON DC HUB ,now that got me going and that is what i need to get ,no fuzz and wireing to this hub ,all the deurmekaar wires wil be sorted out ,and neat ,but just to get it shiped here is pricey

anyone that had a look into it ,what is your take on it ,is there another system like the egon in the market

**Alberto** · 2025/05/09, 08:58 PM

when we bought our blinkgat from sarel in 2020 i started to wire the camper ,just reading through this forum to get a good idiee what is needed and what not ,that suited our needs , it is time to remove the old stuff and look into the modern electrics ,

that is when i looked at a program of 4xoverland of andrew st pierre white and partner hein where they developed the EGON DC HUB ,now that got me going and that is what i need to get ,no fuzz and wireing to this hub ,all the deurmekaar wires wil be sorted out ,and neat ,but just to get it shiped here is pricey

anyone that had a look into it ,what is your take on it ,is there another system like the egon in the market

**ChrisH** · 2025/05/09, 09:40 PM

Something like this?
Check this out on takealot: ATEM POWER Smart Hub DC to DC Dual Voltage Display with Anderson Style Plug
https://www.takealot.com/atem-power-...n/PLID97149023

**stof-lappie** · 2025/05/10, 10:58 AM

Good day All
Some advise would be greatly appreciated.
I recently did some basic upgrades to the camper, adding a 12v, 100ah lifepo-4 battery,
30a PWM,
2 x 100w panels (Nominal Max. Power (Pmax) 100 W
Opt. Operating Voltage (Vmp) 17.82 V
Opt. Operating Current (Imp) 5.62 A
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) 22.14 V
Short Circuit Current (Isc) 6.29 A)
Would I be better off having the panels in series or parallel?
I know the implications, voltage vs amps, but looking for some wisdom as to which will suit this setup better?

**RiaanJ** · 2025/05/10, 11:25 AM

I'm also hoping for a more learned response to this interesting question.... As I have it the following applies. Please correct me!

In parallel, your combined output voltage will be lower, amps higher, but you will lose more over the length of your connection leads. You will also do better if one of your panels is in partial shade.

In series output voltage will be higher, amps lower, and you will lose less over the length of your connection leads. But you will have no partial shade protection.

It also depends on the power profile of the dc2dc charger. If this is not an issue, your connecting leads are short and say 4mm copper, go parallel.

**RiaanJ** · 2025/05/10, 11:32 AM

This from AI, I played a bit:

Wiring solar panels in series increases the overall voltage, while wiring them in parallel increases the overall amperage. The choice between series and parallel wiring depends on the specific needs of the solar system, such as the desired voltage and amperage output, and whether shading is a concern.

Series Connection:

Voltage: Increases, with the voltage of each panel added together.

Amperage: Stays the same as the individual panel amperage.

Advantages: Useful for raising voltage to meet inverter requirements or when shading is not a concern.

Disadvantages: Sensitive to shading, as one shaded panel can significantly reduce the output of the entire series string.

Application: Suitable for systems where higher voltage is needed, such as for 24V or 48V battery systems.

Parallel Connection:

Voltage: Stays the same as the individual panel voltage.

Amperage: Increases, with the amperage of each panel added together.

Advantages: More tolerant of shading, as a shaded panel only affects its own current output.

Disadvantages: Higher current can lead to increased wire gauge requirements and potentially higher power losses over long distances.

Application: Suitable for systems where higher current is needed, such as for charging a large battery bank or when shading is a concern.

**Eggie** · 2025/05/10, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by stof-lappie

Good day All
Some advise would be greatly appreciated.
I recently did some basic upgrades to the camper, adding a 12v, 100ah lifepo-4 battery,
30a PWM,
2 x 100w panels (Nominal Max. Power (Pmax) 100 W
Opt. Operating Voltage (Vmp) 17.82 V
Opt. Operating Current (Imp) 5.62 A
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) 22.14 V
Short Circuit Current (Isc) 6.29 A)
Would I be better off having the panels in series or parallel?
I know the implications, voltage vs amps, but looking for some wisdom as to which will suit this setup better?

In your case with a PWM solar controller you should absolutely stick to parallel.
Should you use a suitable MPPT solar controller, you could go either parallel or series.
Series if your cable is fairly long (10m+) and/or thin say 4mm² or less.

Personally I prefer series, but then I use long cables and make sure to get decent sunlight on the panels.

**stof-lappie** · 2025/05/10, 12:23 PM

Good day All
Some advise would be greatly appreciated.
I recently did some basic upgrades to the camper, adding a 12v, 100ah lifepo-4 battery,
30a PWM,
2 x 100w panels (Nominal Max. Power (Pmax) 100 W
Opt. Operating Voltage (Vmp) 17.82 V
Opt. Operating Current (Imp) 5.62 A
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) 22.14 V
Short Circuit Current (Isc) 6.29 A)
Would I be better off having the panels in series or parallel?
I know the implications, voltage vs amps, but looking for some wisdom as to which will suit this setup better?

**stof-lappie** · 2025/05/10, 01:33 PM

Good day All
Some advise would be greatly appreciated.
I recently did some basic upgrades to the camper, adding a 12v, 100ah lifepo-4 battery,
30a PWM,
2 x 100w panels (Nominal Max. Power (Pmax) 100 W
Opt. Operating Voltage (Vmp) 17.82 V
Opt. Operating Current (Imp) 5.62 A
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) 22.14 V
Short Circuit Current (Isc) 6.29 A)
Would I be better off having the panels in series or parallel?
I know the implications, voltage vs amps, but looking for some wisdom as to which will suit this setup better?

**mkhumbioverlanding** · Yesterday, 09:59 PM

I've been wanting to create detailed wiring diagrams for my LC200, not only for my reference, I sometimes forget what I did, how I did it and why I did it a certain way, but also for 3rd party fault finding. I broke it up into three general areas:

a) Vehicle Powered Accessories (Spots, Winch, VHF and some other smaller accessories)
b) The 12 V Aux Power Solution (Load Draw, Charge and MOST important Monitoring the System)
c) Shore Power Solution to enable safe shore power hookup. (AC Electrical work was built and installed by a certified electrician, and I have a COC for the solution)

I am attaching the three screenshots that reference a, b & c above. Please feel free to comment and ask any questions. Additionally, I welcome constructive criticism. The "design" and "drawing" were done in Excel; I'm happy to share the file. DM me if you're interested.