Solar Power

didi · didi

Hi. Just want some basic ideas everyone, as I only have a basic brain lol. Have had portable 120w solar panel for 5mths. But I was sure when I started it would charge to 13+ on voltmeter. Now only seems to be getting to 12.7. I run a small waeco 80ltre fridge. day and night. Do other things like play 2hr DVD at...

beehive · beehive

Hello ,I am the owner of a Bailey Orion 2013 Model.A couple of weeks ago I took my van to have new tyres fitted,the driver crashed the back end of my van while towing it into the driveway of the workshop.The damage cost$900.00.Does anyone know of a way to stop this and could you tell me if anyone has had a de...

madaboutled · madaboutled

I'm currently in the process of designing a couple of simple charts so my other half can understand a little better what the numbers mean that's displayed by my Solar Charge Controller and hopefully get her to read the numbers before plugging something into charge (like her laptop) whenever she feel...

gemmybob · gemmybob

Hi all, Ive checked the forum and cant find mention of this, but if its been done before, my apologies in advance. I was looking for advice regarding the MPPT Controllers available on E bay, I read somewhere that some controllers offered for sale there were not MPPT, but that they are actually the PWM ty...

Dougwe · Dougwe

Just read in another thread and "Balanced Wiring" was mentioned. Simply put....What does it mean please someone I understand two batteries being wired in paralal but never heard of the above.

Spydermann · Spydermann

Purchased a solar panel with controller. Controller rated voltage is 12VDC / 24VDC but operating voltage is 8V. Now this is not enough to actually charge my van battery as it seems to be protected by a 12V controller as all I can hear is click-click-click........ from the controller and my 12V LED ligh...

windy · windy

Any ideas why the 2 solar controllers and an independant volt meter read 14v +, but the hydrometer reads 12.00 in the red and telling me to recharge

franstev · franstev

Hi when I am charging battery from solar can I still have my 12v fridge running, it is connected to battery not the load terminals on charge controller, or do I have to disconnect it, charge battery and then turn it back on, my solar is a portable kit, thanks in advance.

cruisaderhilton · cruisaderhilton

. Hello vanners ,I have just mounted a new solar panel to the roof of my van and have not connected it to the controller as yet. Do I need to disconnect the panels from the controller ,the existing panel is still connected up ,so how do I go about installation of the panels ,hope I made sense .JOHN..

Plendo · Plendo

In an earlier article I mentioned that inverters were used in other ways, this is where you see a device with a motor in it (example air conditioner, or fridge), and the manufacturer states it is more efficient because it is an inverter air conditioner, what does this mean? I will use an air conditione...

Plendo · Plendo

The first thing I need to point out is that inverters generate 240V AC (alternating current), just like the electricity at home IT IS DANGEROUS, and it is very easy to make a mistake with it, thus it is critically important that fixed inverters are ONLY wired in by professional licenced electricians....

moblet · moblet

A question for our electrical experts: The Story I have a solar charge controller permanently connected to my starter battery and use a solar panel, usually of 80W, to top up the battery when not driving frequently. (It was also fitted to allow me to run accessories for extended periods while parked,...

UPO · UPO

Afternoon - the subject pretty much says it all - what size solar panel ( in Watts ) is appropriate to maintain AGM battery charge ? Just putting a shelter over the van so will place a smaller solar panel on the garage roof - battery capacity is 2 x 120Ah AGM with balanced wiring rather than having the seco...

Vaughan · Vaughan

We have been caravanning for a couple of years but have always used powered sites. We are going from Perth to Karijina National park and on the fist night will be staying in an Eco tent. We will need to store the Van for that night at an off site location and the next night will be free camping. We have a 1...

Spydermann · Spydermann

Any opinions as to whether fixed roof panels are better than a moveable panel. I'm thinking that while you are driving, the tug is charging the caravan battery and when you are camped you can arrange the moveable panels to get best sun, especially if you camp in the shade.

Bent Axle Bob · Bent Axle Bob

An aquaintance has had 3x 150 watt solar panels installed using 2 x 30 amp regulators into 4x 120amp/hr batteries . Is this best practice or all stuffed up?? -- Edited by Bent Axle Bob on Sunday 14th of June 2015 09:01:26 PM

Spydermann · Spydermann

Looking at portable foldable 12v solar panels last week. The brand name panels (eg. Waeco, Projecta) from Van shops & chain stores appear expensive compared with stuff from eBay. Anyone out there using eBay sourced panels successfully (eg. Macht, Megavolt, Maxray)?

Topic		Started By	Replies	Views	Last Post
	what should voltmetre show (Preview) Hi. Just want some basic ideas everyone, as I only have a basic brain lol. Have had portable 120w solar panel for 5mths. But I was sure when I started it would charge to 13+ on voltmeter. Now only seems to be getting to 12.7. I run a small waeco 80ltre fridge. day and night. Do other things like play 2hr DVD at...	didi	3	1326	07:25 AM Aug 16, 2015 by dogbox
	device to stop low van from hitting the ground (Preview) Hello ,I am the owner of a Bailey Orion 2013 Model.A couple of weeks ago I took my van to have new tyres fitted,the driver crashed the back end of my van while towing it into the driveway of the workshop.The damage cost$900.00.Does anyone know of a way to stop this and could you tell me if anyone has had a de...	beehive	3	1040	12:17 PM Aug 11, 2015 by PeterD
	State Of Charge (SOC) Chart for AGM Batteries (Preview) I'm currently in the process of designing a couple of simple charts so my other half can understand a little better what the numbers mean that's displayed by my Solar Charge Controller and hopefully get her to read the numbers before plugging something into charge (like her laptop) whenever she feel...	madaboutled	13	15105	10:39 PM Aug 6, 2015 by Muzzlehatch
	MPPT Controllers on E bay (Preview) Hi all, Ive checked the forum and cant find mention of this, but if its been done before, my apologies in advance. I was looking for advice regarding the MPPT Controllers available on E bay, I read somewhere that some controllers offered for sale there were not MPPT, but that they are actually the PWM ty...	gemmybob	8	1699	09:54 PM Aug 6, 2015 by Jaahn
	BALANCED WIRING (Preview) Just read in another thread and "Balanced Wiring" was mentioned. Simply put....What does it mean please someone I understand two batteries being wired in paralal but never heard of the above.	Dougwe	21	1820	11:29 AM Jul 21, 2015 by Phil C
	Rated Voltage vs Operating Voltage (Preview) Purchased a solar panel with controller. Controller rated voltage is 12VDC / 24VDC but operating voltage is 8V. Now this is not enough to actually charge my van battery as it seems to be protected by a 12V controller as all I can hear is click-click-click........ from the controller and my 12V LED ligh...	Spydermann	4	1318	08:06 PM Jul 16, 2015 by Cruising Cruze
	batterey charging (Preview) Any ideas why the 2 solar controllers and an independant volt meter read 14v +, but the hydrometer reads 12.00 in the red and telling me to recharge	windy	3	1170	11:53 AM Jul 14, 2015 by Phil C
	charging battery (Preview) Hi when I am charging battery from solar can I still have my 12v fridge running, it is connected to battery not the load terminals on charge controller, or do I have to disconnect it, charge battery and then turn it back on, my solar is a portable kit, thanks in advance.	franstev	3	1054	11:00 AM Jul 7, 2015 by franstev
	connecting panels (Preview) . Hello vanners ,I have just mounted a new solar panel to the roof of my van and have not connected it to the controller as yet. Do I need to disconnect the panels from the controller ,the existing panel is still connected up ,so how do I go about installation of the panels ,hope I made sense .JOHN..	cruisaderhilton	6	1120	08:34 PM Jul 5, 2015 by dogbox
	The other use of inverter technology. (Preview) In an earlier article I mentioned that inverters were used in other ways, this is where you see a device with a motor in it (example air conditioner, or fridge), and the manufacturer states it is more efficient because it is an inverter air conditioner, what does this mean? I will use an air conditione...	Plendo	8	1414	08:40 PM Jul 4, 2015 by The Doo crew
	Inverters (Preview) The first thing I need to point out is that inverters generate 240V AC (alternating current), just like the electricity at home IT IS DANGEROUS, and it is very easy to make a mistake with it, thus it is critically important that fixed inverters are ONLY wired in by professional licenced electricians....	Plendo	7	1528	12:07 PM Jul 4, 2015 by Phil C
	Can I place a relay in parallel with a solar charge controller? (Preview) A question for our electrical experts: The Story I have a solar charge controller permanently connected to my starter battery and use a solar panel, usually of 80W, to top up the battery when not driving frequently. (It was also fitted to allow me to run accessories for extended periods while parked,...	moblet	2	1231	08:38 AM Jul 4, 2015 by Plendo
	Solar Panel for trickle charging - sizing to match AGM capacity (Preview) Afternoon - the subject pretty much says it all - what size solar panel ( in Watts ) is appropriate to maintain AGM battery charge ? Just putting a shelter over the van so will place a smaller solar panel on the garage roof - battery capacity is 2 x 120Ah AGM with balanced wiring rather than having the seco...	UPO	6	1466	04:50 PM Jun 21, 2015 by Plendo
	Solar power (Preview) We have been caravanning for a couple of years but have always used powered sites. We are going from Perth to Karijina National park and on the fist night will be staying in an Eco tent. We will need to store the Van for that night at an off site location and the next night will be free camping. We have a 1...	Vaughan	12	1802	07:31 AM Jun 18, 2015 by Reed
	Solar Power - Fixed or Moveable (Preview) Any opinions as to whether fixed roof panels are better than a moveable panel. I'm thinking that while you are driving, the tug is charging the caravan battery and when you are camped you can arrange the moveable panels to get best sun, especially if you camp in the shade.	Spydermann	13	1883	03:33 PM Jun 16, 2015 by Reed
	Advice reqd re. solar panels (Preview) An aquaintance has had 3x 150 watt solar panels installed using 2 x 30 amp regulators into 4x 120amp/hr batteries . Is this best practice or all stuffed up?? -- Edited by Bent Axle Bob on Sunday 14th of June 2015 09:01:26 PM	Bent Axle Bob	2	1192	10:45 AM Jun 15, 2015 by Bent Axle Bob
	Solar Panels (Preview) Looking at portable foldable 12v solar panels last week. The brand name panels (eg. Waeco, Projecta) from Van shops & chain stores appear expensive compared with stuff from eBay. Anyone out there using eBay sourced panels successfully (eg. Macht, Megavolt, Maxray)?	Spydermann	3	3262	10:07 PM Jun 14, 2015 by Jenko1
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