Whos the guru on all things solar?

Beth54 · Guru

Whos the guru on all things solar?

dropbear68 · Senior Member

My bus will have a dual battery system, one for the engine the other to run the various 12v components I have, i can wire this easily so it will charge either batt once mobile, but when were stationary for long stop up Im thinking about a solar panel to keep the batts topped up, anyone able to hit me with some ideas here on panel sizes and types etc

JRH · Guru

dropbear68 wrote:
My bus will have a dual battery system, one for the engine the other to run the various 12v components I have, i can wire this easily so it will charge either batt once mobile, but when were stationary for long stop up Im thinking about a solar panel to keep the batts topped up, anyone able to hit me with some ideas here on panel sizes and types etc

I have a Suntech 80 watt panel and so far have not had a problem, I also carry an 80 Watt portable but never had to use it.

dropbear68 · Senior Member

OK so 80watt panel is gonna do the job, it will be wired for 240v at powered sites, I have a genny as well, the solar panels going to complete the scenario nicely

jack biggles · Senior Member

hi dropbear,

theres heaps of good information on solar out there, but one needs to sort thru the good and bad of it all.

theres a fellow who has a website called ' hobohome ' hes suitable qualified in electrics as well as having been living full time in his motorhome for 6-8 years (from memory). He has some great advice on his site.

Theres also chaps like Collyn Rivers? who has written books on the matter.

Let me tell you, one of the most important parts of any solar system is GOOD WIRING PRACTICE, the wires need to be adequate to avoid voltage drop.

Its also my personal opinion thats its generally better to have too much solar capab ilitiy rather than too little.

You would need to provide a little information about what you intend to run on the solar before anyone could seriously advise you on which way to go. For example, a person running a large compressor fridge in their van or motorhome would need more solar than the person running the little 3 way fridge. What other power usages beside the fridge have you got?

dropbear68 · Senior Member

I only want the panels to keep the batts topped on the long stops, I need to know that when I want the starter motor to work it will, for the odd times where we might pull of the road with no access to power doesnt worry me I have a genny to run the fridge over night, some nifty camp lights for inside thats that really.

Beth54 · Guru

I can recommend a solar light from Bunnings. I don't remember the brand, but it was only about $15. I'm really happy with it.

dropbear68 · Senior Member

Beth54 wrote:
I can recommend a solar light from Bunnings. I don't remember the brand, but it was only about $15. I'm really happy with it.

How cool I shall investigate Bunnings my fav place in the world, Im the king of cheap lol

dropbear68 · Senior Member

Occassionally I may want to boil the jug, dont know why when its easy to light the stove outside with the old teapot billy, an outside light would be a nice thing to have for them frequent dunny runs at night, I like the old bamboo poles with the oil burners, fillem with citronella, fill me lanterns with citronella too, kind of helps with the midgees and moskweetos and it adds a little bit of romantic ambience for the good lady far as camp site decoration is concerned, anything solar powered is good too have, even them stainless garden solar lights a few of them around the site gives you a bit of extra help with the night time wanderings specially when youve over done it down the way at Wombats site and are having trouble finding your way home in yiour drunken state tripping over everything in your way, sure most of have done that, tent guy ropes should be flouro lol

Beth54 · Guru

Oh yes, been there done that.

Went to a big family reunion several years ago on a family property. We'd camped away from 'party central', and after a bit of over indulgance on the part of my brother and I, we had to then stumble our way back to camp in pitch dark. We only found the track because Uncle's ute was parked there with him asleep in the back. wink

dropbear68 · Senior Member

Thats priceless !

Blue Orchid · Senior Member

Hi dropbear,

From your input I take it that you want to run two battery systems, one for the motor and one to power the stuff you use when camping.

Most autoelectricians (and good RV/caravan service people) can fit an isolator system that will charge both batteries while the engine is running but isolate the engine battery when the motor is stopped. Before we had the isolator fitted we did drain the motor battery once or twice yet the caravan battery still retained its charge.

Jack Biggles is right in saying to have the correct gauge wiring, I ripped out the 4 mill stuff that was fitted as standard and put in 8 mill, and then put the regulator for the solar panel right next to the battery.

We use a portable 120watt solar panel supplying 2 x 120AH batteries in our van, don't run anything other than lights, 2 laptops and maybe the 12V TV for maybe an hour in the evenings. I only run the gennie when it has been overcast for a few days and I need a cricket fix, but again this is only insurance so I don't miss all the dribble the commentators go on about.

And the recommendation from Beth about solar lights is a good one, they charge up quite well even on dull days, although they only give sombre light its enough to find your way around, and, we have found, that having some light around our mobile love shack does tend to ward off unwelcome intruders.

dropbear68 · Senior Member

Mobile love shack is that like a passion pit on wheels? I agree bout the 8mm wiring very good advice, Im a huge fan of overdoing relays, fuses and wiring.

Happywanderer · The Master

My van is set up the same as Blue Orchids. The inhouse battery gets charged up while travelling but when stopped the isolater stops the driving battery from being used.
I haven't got solar yet but have been told by a lot on here, when I do to get at least 120 watt.
I also have the solar lights Beth is talking about. During the day the small square solar sits in front on van recharging to be used again at night. There is quite a range at bunnings.

bill12 · Guru

Good solar practice is the bigest solar panel setup you can afford, the bigest wire between them and the best solar regulater that you can buy.I get 5 days on my batterys before I have to start the diesel to charge up the batery banks. my System seems to work.Bill

jack biggles · Senior Member

Dont go boiling any jug on a 12 volt system, holly sheet man, anything with an element will suck the bejeesus out of you batteries, gas for the jug or set fire to timber and boil it over the coals and get some carbon debits racked up

jimricho · Guru

jack biggles wrote:
Dont go boiling any jug on a 12 volt system, holly sheet man, anything with an element will suck the bejeesus out of you batteries, gas for the jug or set fire to timber and boil it over the coals and get some carbon debits racked up

Likewise toasters, turbo ovens, hair dryers, and most other heating devices if connected to 12v (usually via an inverter).

Also microwaves but these are usually only run for short periods.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Part quote 'I have a genny to run the fridge over night'

DB68 you will not be very popular if you run your genny overnight at a free site, well anywhere for that matter.

Smokeydk · Guru

You can by those portable stoves with gas containers around $20........Bunnings sell solar lights 2 x $10....portable solar panels are good......fixed roof ones ......they dont work in shade

Ma · Guru

One of the principle NO NO'S of caravanning, no overnight gennies and only use gennies when absolutely needed and for the shortest period of time required....IMHO

Beth54 · Guru

My little Nipper came with a small solar panel which can be fitted to the corner of the roof. Looking at the size of others, I think it may be 40watt...I can't go and check it at the moment. The stove and fridge run on gas, I have my solar light, so I don't really need to use the powered lights inside, so I'll only really need power for recharging the laptop..I have an inverter. Oh, and the mobile phone.

Mind you, there's no battery in the van yet, I have to get one.

I like to free camp/bush camp, so will the 40 watt be enough?

beiffe · Guru

Solar is a thing that you should work out how much power you will use a day. When you have this figure then work out how long you will require to stop between charging from alternator / generator.

Usually most people like to have their batteries up to float before lunch. this means that if you wish to use some power then use it as the solar should then be able to replace before the sun sets.

Different battery types give different power, Wet cells allow about 20% before they get tired and battery damage may occur if done repeatably. AGM's give about 50% and there are others that give up to 80%. Also some battery types allow higher power draw than others. With 20% usage I mean you can use 20 AH from a 100AH battery when it is new and this figure decreases as the battery degenerates.

All batteries types are different in their charge characteristics and also their discharge capabilities.

Remember that there should be no option for sparks in a battery compartment, eg charger/inverter etc and there should be ventilation to atmosphere.

Before purchasing an inverter consider wahta will be running at one time. Dont need all them on so if there is only a TV and DVD player as the highest drain then buy to cover that.

Hope this helps and does not frighten you off but you should consider what you need before spending your money.

Regards
Brian

Beth54 · Guru

I just came across this...

http://www.exploroz.com/Vehicle/Electrics/Solar.aspx

The section called 'working out watts needed' was very enlightening to me, but I'd still like the opinions of fellow GN's.

Ma · Guru

Sounds logical Chi. Will have to ask Blue I'm totally in the dark......... when it comes to that sort of thing

-- Edited by Ma on Friday 10th of February 2012 10:15:18 PM

jimricho · Guru

Ma wrote:
One of the principle NO NO'S of caravanning, no overnight gennies and only use gennies when absolutely needed and for the shortest period of time required....IMHO

I agree

JRH · Guru

jimricho wrote:
Ma wrote:
One of the principle NO NO'S of caravanning, no overnight gennies and only use gennies when absolutely needed and for the shortest period of time required....IMHO
I agree

Me also.

DeBe · Guru

Even though i have Solar, cant live without my Generators just love machinery. Have 2, Kipor 2.6Kw for A/C & heater, Small Honda for batery charging when required.

Smokeydk · Guru

Beth........I have a 105amphour battery.....charged by a 80watt solar panel......only use mine for water pump and lighting.....as others said...just work out what you need and get what you can afford...solar panels are dropping in price...

dropbear68 · Senior Member

Genny only for when out in the sticks and no 240 available, I have an invertor, I agree its easier to use the gas stove outside with the billy boiling away, I have a an old quart pot which boils water real quick on a gas stove, I have a small 2 burner primus stove and a small barby, even got one of them little butane powered cookers, and me old Army Hexi which is good for quick roadside brew ups, I value all this information youve all given me I do want to come up with the most efficient set up possible, I really dont want to be stuck out in the boon docks with 2 flat batts, that would make me let rip all the expletives I can muster and might even kick something, but and theres always a but, thank jesus for gensets and battery chargers lol

dropbear68 · Senior Member

JRH wrote:
jimricho wrote:
Ma wrote:
One of the principle NO NO'S of caravanning, no overnight gennies and only use gennies when absolutely needed and for the shortest period of time required....IMHO

I agree no gens at night, leave that for the yuppies who must run the hair dryer
I agree
Me also.