i am in the market for either a generator or a 120 w solar panel i will only be using the 12v for some lighting maybe tv and maybe fridge although it is a 3 way unit how long does it take per day to charge up a deep cycle battery using a 120 w solar panel ? seems to me that solar panels have come down in price a lot compared with a generator if i do decide to go for a generator what output do i need for the above useage ?
cheers and thanks a very useful forum
jules47 said
09:47 PM Feb 19, 2013
Hi tugga - and welcome to the site - haven't seen you on before. As for solar panesl vs genny - well one of the main things of course, is that solar is silent! - not technical myself, and you could ask this question in the "technical" sub forum on here - you will get some good info - we use a genny as a back up -rainy, cloudy days etc. cheers
tugga said
11:26 PM Feb 19, 2013
thanks jules i do take on board all the info i pick up from here this caravan stuff is all new to me cheers
spida said
11:56 PM Feb 19, 2013
I like having the gen. Only have 1 12v plug in the van so can run TV or fan or charge something up, where as with the gen I can run everything. I do have solar but dont use it much as TV or fan dont seem to run the battery down and running the gen for a couple of hours a day heats the water, charges batteries etc. Fridge on gas when free camping. 2000 gen a minimum.
jetj said
02:31 AM Feb 20, 2013
I prefer to listen to the birds than a generator. I can see where they would be handy to have though.
Dougwe said
02:54 AM Feb 20, 2013
I now have both.
I started out with a Generator and now have a 120w portable solar panel and re-wired the 12v system in the Avan to heavier wire. I chose portable panel so I can follow the sun during the day. My tug charges the Avan battery and runs the fridge while travelling and the fridge is on gas when no 240v. The gene would come out on dull days only and only from about 4pm - 8pm.
I used 6B&S cable, some say it is overkill but I don't believe in overkill when it comes to 12v.
dawa said
03:02 AM Feb 20, 2013
tugga wrote:
i am in the market for either a generator or a 120 w solar panel i will only be using the 12v for some lighting maybe tv and maybe fridge although it is a 3 way unit how long does it take per day to charge up a deep cycle battery using a 120 w solar panel ? seems to me that solar panels have come down in price a lot compared with a generator if i do decide to go for a generator what output do i need for the above useage ?
cheers and thanks a very useful forum
You can get a 220W panel now for the same price as the 120w
Dawa
dawa said
03:06 AM Feb 20, 2013
jetj wrote:
I prefer to listen to the birds than a generator. I can see where they would be handy to have though.
me too and i have plenty of solar panels now.
Having said that I have a small generator for cloudy days as my fridge is 12v
I run it a couple hours in the morning [9 till 11] to top up the battery
Dawa
tugga said
12:21 PM Feb 20, 2013
ok that is worthwhile info spida off to the caravan and camping show tomorrow need all the info i can get cheers
tugga said
12:32 PM Feb 20, 2013
thanks dawa i am off to the camping and caravan show tomorrow so will check that out cheers
johnnz said
04:25 PM Feb 20, 2013
I find I can run computer(s), lights, charge mobiles etc, I use a 1kw inverter, all off 1 solar panel. I can go months on this. I do tho run my 120l fridge on gas when parked.
It's got to the stage now where I just cannot stand generator noise.
John
beiffe said
04:26 PM Feb 20, 2013
Check ebay out for the panels as well as they are a lot cheaper on ebay.
With a generator you need a charger as well as to use a generator on 12v they are very inefficient so best to run your 240v needs while charging your battery with a special charger, usually already in your rig for when you camp in a CP.
Using portable solar you get more charge when you loosely follow the sun during the day. Just make sure you have a good connection point and heavy cables such as Dougwe has done.
Regards Brian
tugga said
01:53 AM Feb 21, 2013
hmmm sound like someone like me i am leaning towards a 220 w solar pack i have a diesel ute and dont want the hassle of carrying petrol for a gen thanks
Dougwe said
03:07 AM Feb 21, 2013
beiffe wrote:
Check ebay out for the panels as well as they are a lot cheaper on ebay.
With a generator you need a charger as well as to use a generator on 12v they are very inefficient so best to run your 240v needs while charging your battery with a special charger, usually already in your rig for when you camp in a CP.
Using portable solar you get more charge when you loosely follow the sun during the day. Just make sure you have a good connection point and heavy cables such as Dougwe has done.
Regards Brian
I got the amp tester Brian.
Sorry to digress a little Tugga.
jetj said
04:02 AM Feb 21, 2013
I bought a 120w solar panel on Ebay today for $170.10. Same brand as one I have and very happy with the first one. I blew up the controller or it was faulty on the first one. Cheap enough to replace the controller and run a 6B&S extension lead with Anderson plugs.
garnet said
04:47 AM Feb 22, 2013
messed up ill repeat ,new at this, i only have a 95w solar on the top of my sunlinner sleep over cab,it has 2 deep cycle batteries .it runs everything even small amounts of 240 through inverter
Hi Doug you will get all the power now that you can check what is going in.
Glad I could help.
Off out to move mine around so I can have a hot shower tonight.
Regards Brian
buffy61 said
02:20 AM Feb 23, 2013
jetj wrote:
I bought a 120w solar panel on Ebay today for $170.10. Same brand as one I have and very happy with the first one. I blew up the controller or it was faulty on the first one. Cheap enough to replace the controller and run a 6B&S extension lead with Anderson plugs.
That's a good price. Who was the seller? Have been looking at some by ozplaza (I think). Has anyone bought from ozplaza on eBay? Or any of the other big businesses on there? Good stories or bad stories?
vicki
jetj said
06:55 AM Feb 23, 2013
I bought mine from Bit Deals for that price. I've bought Rich panels before from Bittoo I think and Panels have been quite good. Legs a bit flimsy but have been ok.
i am in the market for either a generator or a 120 w solar panel i will only be using the 12v for some lighting maybe tv and maybe fridge although it is a 3 way unit how long does it take per day to charge up a deep cycle battery using a 120 w solar panel ? seems to me that solar panels have come down in price a lot compared with a generator if i do decide to go for a generator what output do i need for the above useage ?
cheers and thanks a very useful forum
As for solar panesl vs genny - well one of the main things of course, is that solar is silent! - not technical myself, and you could ask this question in the "technical" sub forum on here - you will get some good info - we use a genny as a back up -rainy, cloudy days etc.
cheers
2000 gen a minimum.
I prefer to listen to the birds than a generator. I can see where they would be handy to have though.
I started out with a Generator and now have a 120w portable solar panel and re-wired the 12v system in the Avan to heavier wire. I chose portable panel so I can follow the sun during the day. My tug charges the Avan battery and runs the fridge while travelling and the fridge is on gas when no 240v. The gene would come out on dull days only and only from about 4pm - 8pm.
I used 6B&S cable, some say it is overkill but I don't believe in overkill when it comes to 12v.
You can get a 220W panel now for the same price as the 120w
Dawa
me too and i have plenty of solar panels now.
Having said that I have a small generator for cloudy days as my fridge is 12v
I run it a couple hours in the morning [9 till 11] to top up the battery
Dawa
ok that is worthwhile info spida off to the caravan and camping show tomorrow need all the info i can get cheers
thanks dawa i am off to the camping and caravan show tomorrow so will check that out cheers
I find I can run computer(s), lights, charge mobiles etc, I use a 1kw inverter, all off 1 solar panel. I can go months on this. I do tho run my 120l fridge on gas when parked.
It's got to the stage now where I just cannot stand generator noise.
John
With a generator you need a charger as well as to use a generator on 12v they are very inefficient so best to run your 240v needs while charging your battery with a special charger, usually already in your rig for when you camp in a CP.
Using portable solar you get more charge when you loosely follow the sun during the day. Just make sure you have a good connection point and heavy cables such as Dougwe has done.
Regards
Brian
hmmm sound like someone like me i am leaning towards a 220 w solar pack i have a diesel ute and dont want the hassle of carrying petrol for a gen thanks
I got the amp tester Brian.
Sorry to digress a little Tugga.
I bought a 120w solar panel on Ebay today for $170.10. Same brand as one I have and very happy with the first one. I blew up the controller or it was faulty on the first one. Cheap enough to replace the controller and run a 6B&S extension lead with Anderson plugs.
messed up ill repeat ,new at this, i only have a 95w solar on the top of my sunlinner sleep over cab,it has 2 deep cycle batteries .it runs everything even small amounts of 240 through inverter
Glad I could help.
Off out to move mine around so I can have a hot shower tonight.
Regards
Brian
That's a good price. Who was the seller? Have been looking at some by ozplaza (I think). Has anyone bought from ozplaza on eBay? Or any of the other big businesses on there? Good stories or bad stories?
vicki
I bought mine from Bit Deals for that price. I've bought Rich panels before from Bittoo I think and Panels have been quite good. Legs a bit flimsy but have been ok.