Hi all, we pick up our new Sprite Quattro in February, its being shipped new from the UK, we intend to be away for sometime living on regular sites as well as free camps. We are having a 120 W solar fitted which is fine , also have a 3.7W generator for those times the sun does not shine. Do I really need a 2nd battery in the van , perhaps a stupid question but for those amongst you who do alot of free camping is it a necessity ? Funds will be limited once we head off , probably next March so major up front expenses I would like to get out of the way now. The good oil suggests an AGM of around 105 Ah which is around $400 is suitable.
Need some advice here.
Cruising Cruze said
03:56 AM Oct 22, 2012
got 100 ah for 80 watt panel if I would go bigger I would for shure put an second battery in spend as much as you can before you go traveling its hard to spend money if none comes in ( just my tip )
hope this will help you
John
PeterD said
06:15 AM Oct 22, 2012
What loading capacity doe your van have? How much of this is being taken by your battery system and other accessories? From what I have seen the loading allowance in European vans is less than Oz ones.
The only reason I see fr you to install a second battery is so you don't have to carry the generator.
justcruisin01 said
06:18 AM Oct 22, 2012
PSAC wrote:
Hi all, we pick up our new Sprite Quattro in February, its being shipped new from the UK, we intend to be away for sometime living on regular sites as well as free camps. We are having a 120 W solar fitted which is fine , also have a 3.7W generator for those times the sun does not shine. Do I really need a 2nd battery in the van , perhaps a stupid question but for those amongst you who do alot of free camping is it a necessity ? Funds will be limited once we head off , probably next March so major up front expenses I would like to get out of the way now. The good oil suggests an AGM of around 105 Ah which is around $400 is suitable.
Need some advice here.
In these situations there is not a yes or no answer.
You need to look at the total 12volt power you wish to be able to use & for how long each day, then determine the battery capacity required.
Once this is done you then determine the solar requirments to recharge your batteries, & in doing that you need to be able to produce approx 1.5 amps for each 1 amp you use to be able to recharge battery/batteries.
This calculation is based on a perfect day for solar, eg. good sunshine. In unsuitable weather ( cloud &/or rain) then you need a suitable 240 volt charger to run from your genny or land based 240v.
JC.
Loki said
09:26 PM Oct 22, 2012
As well as preceding comments, a few other thoughts for best battery life:-
1. They shouldn't be discharged below halfcapacity - about 12.1 V
2. If more than one battery needed, they should ideally be the same AH rating and the same age.
If your current house battery is getting old, consider trying things as they are - you always have the generator if needed. If you need another battery, then wait until your current battery needs replacing and by matching batteries; meeanwhile you will have a few trials to work out your exact requirements.
Coxy45 said
08:00 PM Nov 5, 2012
We have a 95 ah deep cycle calcium battery & a 100 watt portable solar panel. Gives us plenty of power for our lights when we free camp.
Also have a 2kva Honda Gennie for raIny days.In our case I can't see the need for a 2nd battery.
-- Edited by Coxy45 on Monday 5th of November 2012 08:01:32 PM
Ballarat Bill said
05:15 AM Nov 6, 2012
Hi PSAC, First may I ask what prompted you to buy O/Seas. There's enough problems with locally made items!!
Now I wonder why the heck a 3.7 gene... By the sounds it's not one of those nice quiet ones and just carrying it will be a hassle. Hope it's not just for the aircon.
I suggest reconsider that one. If the gene is to charge your batteries only then one of the small hondas 1kva is more than adequate and only 19kg. AND QUIET, add a good sized charger. Before you go any further please discuss with someone who knows what you plan to carry on board, and use, and then work backwards to calculate what size batts are needed anyway. Your batts should equal your solar panels and with some spare solar - not sunny every day! You may need at least double the solar and the second batt anyway.
Please quote these items on here and you will get several good answers.
... Ballarat Bill
beiffe said
03:46 PM Nov 6, 2012
There are all sorts of ways to go here so any setup that works is correct for you.
You will need to calculate how much power you need and then normally allow for three days use and then you must have to solar to get the batteries back to that magic 80% as soon as you can.
With AGM etc batteries you really need to get them back to at least 80% withing 24 hours if possible for long life.
You also need to consider the weight as these batteries are not light and can easily use your allowed weight though then your proposed generator would weigh as much as a battery and that is only in case you will need it.
If the generator is for charging only then normally a small one is all you need as it is used normally to run a charger and any extra power is just wasted and extra weight not needed.
There are calculators around to calculate the power requirements and then add perhaps 20% as a safety margin as most people under rate their usage. Just consider that extra TV program you must watch beyond your plans or hot weather.
Bills suggestion to give the experts a list of what you may run. List all the appliances and the expected time frame that they will run on an average. On the back of most appliances is a Watt reading and that will enable them to calculate the power needed to run.
Regards Brian
jimricho said
06:23 PM Nov 6, 2012
I'm with the "wait and see" school on this one. Note Anton's (Loki) comment about matching the batteries if operating two batteries together. Maybe set aside the $400 just in case and if not needed you can spend it wisely and responsibly on other important things, eg beer, wine, long lunches etc.
Assuming you have a 3 way fridge that you run on gas when not on mains power you'll be surprised how long you'll get out of the 100 ah battery if you don't waste power. Fit LED lamps (if not already fitted), avoid using an inverter if you can and if you do only switch it on when really needed. Do not leave the inverter on when it is not in use. I would recommend a 12 volt TV and a 12v power supply for your laptop as these are more efficient than using an inverter.
You can do all the calculations you like but if the assumptions are "iffy" (which they most likely will be) the answers will be "iffy" too.
Hi all, we pick up our new Sprite Quattro in February, its being shipped new from the UK, we intend to be away for sometime living on regular sites as well as free camps. We are having a 120 W solar fitted which is fine , also have a 3.7W generator for those times the sun does not shine. Do I really need a 2nd battery in the van , perhaps a stupid question but for those amongst you who do alot of free camping is it a necessity ? Funds will be limited once we head off , probably next March so major up front expenses I would like to get out of the way now. The good oil suggests an AGM of around 105 Ah which is around $400 is suitable.
Need some advice here.
spend as much as you can before you go traveling its hard to spend money if none comes in ( just my tip )
hope this will help you
John
The only reason I see fr you to install a second battery is so you don't have to carry the generator.
In these situations there is not a yes or no answer.
You need to look at the total 12volt power you wish to be able to use & for how long each day, then determine the battery capacity required.
Once this is done you then determine the solar requirments to recharge your batteries, & in doing that you need to be able to produce approx 1.5 amps for each 1 amp you use to be able to recharge battery/batteries.
This calculation is based on a perfect day for solar, eg. good sunshine. In unsuitable weather ( cloud &/or rain) then you need a suitable 240 volt charger to run from your genny or land based 240v.
JC.
As well as preceding comments, a few other thoughts for best battery life:-
1. They shouldn't be discharged below halfcapacity - about 12.1 V
2. If more than one battery needed, they should ideally be the same AH rating and the same age.
If your current house battery is getting old, consider trying things as they are - you always have the generator if needed. If you need another battery, then wait until your current battery needs replacing and by matching batteries; meeanwhile you will have a few trials to work out your exact requirements.
We have a 95 ah deep cycle calcium battery & a 100 watt portable solar panel. Gives us plenty of power for our lights when we free camp.
Also have a 2kva Honda Gennie for raIny days.In our case I can't see the need for a 2nd battery.
-- Edited by Coxy45 on Monday 5th of November 2012 08:01:32 PM
First may I ask what prompted you to buy O/Seas. There's enough problems with locally made items!!
Now I wonder why the heck a 3.7 gene... By the sounds it's not one of those nice quiet ones and just carrying it will be a hassle. Hope it's not just for the aircon.
I suggest reconsider that one. If the gene is to charge your batteries only then one of the small hondas 1kva is more than adequate and only 19kg. AND QUIET, add a good sized charger.
Before you go any further please discuss with someone who knows what you plan to carry on board, and use, and then work backwards to calculate what size batts are needed anyway. Your batts should equal your solar panels and with some spare solar - not sunny every day! You may need at least double the solar and the second batt anyway.
Please quote these items on here and you will get several good answers.
... Ballarat Bill
You will need to calculate how much power you need and then normally allow for three days use and then you must have to solar to get the batteries back to that magic 80% as soon as you can.
With AGM etc batteries you really need to get them back to at least 80% withing 24 hours if possible for long life.
You also need to consider the weight as these batteries are not light and can easily use your allowed weight though then your proposed generator would weigh as much as a battery and that is only in case you will need it.
If the generator is for charging only then normally a small one is all you need as it is used normally to run a charger and any extra power is just wasted and extra weight not needed.
There are calculators around to calculate the power requirements and then add perhaps 20% as a safety margin as most people under rate their usage. Just consider that extra TV program you must watch beyond your plans or hot weather.
Bills suggestion to give the experts a list of what you may run. List all the appliances and the expected time frame that they will run on an average. On the back of most appliances is a Watt reading and that will enable them to calculate the power needed to run.
Regards
Brian
Assuming you have a 3 way fridge that you run on gas when not on mains power you'll be surprised how long you'll get out of the 100 ah battery if you don't waste power. Fit LED lamps (if not already fitted), avoid using an inverter if you can and if you do only switch it on when really needed. Do not leave the inverter on when it is not in use. I would recommend a 12 volt TV and a 12v power supply for your laptop as these are more efficient than using an inverter.
You can do all the calculations you like but if the assumptions are "iffy" (which they most likely will be) the answers will be "iffy" too.
In summary..."suck it and see"