Understanding Your Van's Solar System
Article Objective:
In this article, you will get to know the components that make up the solar system in your van: what they do and what their potential limitations are.
Affected Units:
Vandoit vans with rooftop solar panels
This video provides a helpful walkthrough of the Vandoit solar system.
What components make up the Vandoit solar system?
1. Rooftop solar panels: Your van may have solar panels totaling up to 600 watts mounted on the roof rack or roof rails.
2. MC4 (Multi-Contact 4mm) connectors: These can be found on the van's roof and may be wrapped in heat shrink.
3. Rooftop electrical port: This port is the one location where all rooftop wiring (including wiring for any exterior light bars) runs from the exterior to the interior of the van.
4. Solar wiring: Wiring that runs from the rooftop to the backside of the Solar Controller and then to the van's battery bank, in order to charge the batteries.
5. Solar Controller: Vandoit offers two different styles of solar controllers: the GoPower PWM solar controller or Victron MPPT solar controller. Regardless of which solar controller the van is equipped with, they are mounted on the driver's side power box toward the rear of the van. The solar controller provides a display of data about the solar system. See more below on this data and what it means.
6. SAE solar port: Located next to the shore power socket, at the rear of the driver's side of the van.
What does each component do?
1. The rooftop solar panels receive sunlight and convert it to power that is usable in your van's power system.
2. The MC4 connectors serve to string the panels together into one power-receiving unit.
3. The rooftop electrical port provides one location where all rooftop wiring runs for the exterior to the interior of the van and should prevent water from leaking into the van. You should not need to do anything with this port unless directed by the Vandoit Customer Support Team.
4. The solar wiring transmits the power received by the solar panels to the solar controller and then to the batteries, where it is stored and then distributed to the devices in the van. The wiring also transmits data to the solar controller. You should not need to do anything with this wiring, unless directed by the Vandoit Customer Support Team.
5. The GoPower Solar Controller displays a number of symbols and data, explained below, about the status of the solar system. It also offers a standard USB port for charging small devices. The Victron Solar Controller has three lights that indicate the charging state. It also pairs with a phone app, that provides further information, explained below.
6. The SAE solar port provides a place where ground solar (also called "suitcase" solar) panels can be plugged in to provide additional incoming solar power. See more on this below.
Both solar controllers are able to receive up to 600 watts of total incoming solar power.
What do the symbols and data on the GoPower Solar controller mean?
1. A sun icon in the upper left corner indicates that the solar panels are detecting light. A moon icon in the upper left corner indicates that not enough light is detected.
2. The A button should not be needed for your van's solar system. The B button allows you to toggle between several sets of data about your solar system: battery voltage, PV (Photonic Voltage) charging current, battery state of charge (displayed as a percentage), and the cumulative Amp Hours of solar power the system has collected (displayed as Ah or KAh). The circled 1 indicates that the monitor is displaying data about the batteries in the Vandoit power system.
3. The MAX BOOST button allows you to override the system's normal algorithm for receiving incoming solar power to try to capture more solar power. This setting may be most helpful in the evening hours before sunset, to capture as much power as possible before daylight is gone. Press and hold the MAX BOOST button for at least 3 seconds to activate.
Note: The voltage indicated on the GoPower Solar controller may not be as accurate as the voltage displayed on the van's inverter screen, which can be found above the sliding passenger door. Use the inverter screen's reading for most accurate, real-time voltage.
For more information on the GoPower Solar controller, please see the user manual.What does the information and data on the Victron phone app mean?
1. Solar Wattage: This indicates the amount of wattage the solar panels are producing.
2. Solar Voltage: This indicates the amount of voltage the solar panels are producing.
3. Solar Current: This indicates the amount of amperage your solar panels are sending to the solar controller.
Note: For most owners, this is the most important figure needed for reference on how much power their solar system is producing.
4. Battery Voltage: This indicates the voltage level of the Vandoit battery.
5. Battery Current: This indicates the amount of amperage that is incoming or outgoing from the Vandoit battery system.
Note: This will only display an amperage number if it is connected to an AMG battery system. It will display 0A if this solar controller is used with a Lithium battery system.
6. Battery State: This indicates the charge state of the solar controller. It will automatically change charge states based on the Vandoit battery voltage.
For more information on the Victron Solar controller, please see this user manual for more information.What are the limitations of the system?
1. Solar power alone is not enough to power all of the devices in the van. It acts more as a trickle charger to top off the batteries and keep them in good health. Adding ground solar panels, which plug into the SAE port, may help mitigate this limitation. If you are interested in adding ground solar panels, please submit a ticket through the Customer Support portal or email support@vandoit.com for pricing and availability.
2. As indicated above, the voltage indicated on the GoPower Solar controller may not be as accurate as the voltage displayed on the van's inverter screen. Use the inverter screen's reading for the most accurate, real-time voltage.
3. Factors such as cloud cover, shade, dirt and debris, and/or snow on the solar panels can diminish the system's ability to receive solar power. See this article for tips on maintaining the solar system.
4. The Vandoit system can handle a total of 600 watts of incoming solar from all panels, both roof-mounted and ground solar panels. Attempting to add more solar wattage than this can result in blowing the solar fuse.
5. If the glass on the solar panels cracks or breaks, the solar panels may still be usable. However, the broken glass on the panel will likely become problematic, as the solar cells are no longer protected from moisture. This will shorten the life of the panel and probably decrease its energy output. We recommend replacing solar panels if they crack or break.
6. The layout of your van's roof impacts the number and size of solar panels that can be mounted on the roof. Specifically, if your van has air vents, a rooftop air conditioner, roof rack platform, and/or a rooftop tent, these components may limit which panels can be installed on your van's roof.
If you have additional questions about your van's solar system, please see these articles:
If you have questions that remain unanswered after referencing these articles, please submit a ticket through the Customer Support portal or email support@vandoit.com.
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