Solar Panels for expeditions / camping
- Thread starter muddyfox
- Start date
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John-Ellis
New Member
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- 74
I have seen them used on converted land rovers that are used for camping, they look like a good idea to me.
My dad has a solar trikle charger hooked up to his RR P38, to help keep the battery charged, I even thaught about getting one for my caravan.
John
My dad has a solar trikle charger hooked up to his RR P38, to help keep the battery charged, I even thaught about getting one for my caravan.
John
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OLDUN
Active Member
- Posts
- 526
- Location
- in a valley with lots of grass
Had one on top of the 110 for last three years. Saved the day when wiring to the alternator went adrift and keeps the battery charged whilst the 110 is stored awaiting its next trip.
Griffdowg
New Member
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- 7,194
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- Somewhere in Bristol
I remember someone saying once that if you run a fridge, lights etc as most overlanders do then 80w 'should' be enough to sustain you. All the maths was there and boy was it confusing! The trick is to make sure your 80w is a quality set-up and your getting the most out of it.
80w is what's required in theory, but what are you actually getting out of it?
food for thought. Let us know what you think once you have them set-up. I thought about it, but it is a big expense and I have just put it off.
G
80w is what's required in theory, but what are you actually getting out of it?
food for thought. Let us know what you think once you have them set-up. I thought about it, but it is a big expense and I have just put it off.
G
I have also wrestled with the figures in the past. But it depends on so many variables that I got bored. So here is what I am finding in the real world with my 80w set up.
I run the following from a secondry battery in my Discovery.
Car CD/Radio
CB
Engel 45 Ltr Fridge
2 x Permanently fitted LED work lights for cooking etc.
1 X Portable Fluro light (double tube)
Laptop
Charging camera / phone etc
When the sun is out (even a little) all of the above can be running and the regulator is still charging the battery. Obviously I don't need the lights during the day
but was just testing the set up. When the battery gets to about 13.8v the regulator stops charging the battery till it drops to about 12.3 then flashes up again till it reaches 13.8v bla bla bla. The fridge is on 24/7 and I have also left all 3 lights on overnight to see if the battery can cope....and it does.
My secondry battery is a standard halfords battery that is a direct replacement for my existing battery. That way I can always replace the main battery if required.
Although my 80w panel is strapped to the roof rack 90% of the time, it can be removed and used as a portable unit. The regulator switches itself off whilst driving as the 2nd battery is being charged via a split charge system. Because it is portable on a stand, I can park under in the shade under a tree etc and put the panel in the sun using a 5m extension. Never needed to do so though.
Basically I find that I can camp 24/7 without having to use the alternator to charge the battery. I'm off to France in a few weeks so will let you know how it performs.
Couple of photo's:
I run the following from a secondry battery in my Discovery.
Car CD/Radio
CB
Engel 45 Ltr Fridge
2 x Permanently fitted LED work lights for cooking etc.
1 X Portable Fluro light (double tube)
Laptop
Charging camera / phone etc
When the sun is out (even a little) all of the above can be running and the regulator is still charging the battery. Obviously I don't need the lights during the day
but was just testing the set up. When the battery gets to about 13.8v the regulator stops charging the battery till it drops to about 12.3 then flashes up again till it reaches 13.8v bla bla bla. The fridge is on 24/7 and I have also left all 3 lights on overnight to see if the battery can cope....and it does.My secondry battery is a standard halfords battery that is a direct replacement for my existing battery. That way I can always replace the main battery if required.
Although my 80w panel is strapped to the roof rack 90% of the time, it can be removed and used as a portable unit. The regulator switches itself off whilst driving as the 2nd battery is being charged via a split charge system. Because it is portable on a stand, I can park under in the shade under a tree etc and put the panel in the sun using a 5m extension. Never needed to do so though.
Basically I find that I can camp 24/7 without having to use the alternator to charge the battery. I'm off to France in a few weeks so will let you know how it performs.
Couple of photo's:
- Posts
- 4,617
- Location
- Nuneaton & Snowdonia
Looks like a cracking bit of kit. So how much does that kind of set up cost?
I bought all my gear from ebay.co.uk
Panel approx £90 (from Germany)
Regulator approx £30
Solar Cables approx £30 per pair (5m)
Spare Cable as extension £30 per pair (5)m
The frame I made from an old camp bed that was not used
About 180 notes all in. Panel lasts about 20 years and gets free power from the sun.....not bad me thinks.
Panel approx £90 (from Germany)
Regulator approx £30
Solar Cables approx £30 per pair (5m)
Spare Cable as extension £30 per pair (5)m
The frame I made from an old camp bed that was not used
About 180 notes all in. Panel lasts about 20 years and gets free power from the sun.....not bad me thinks.
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Griffdowg
New Member
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- 7,194
- Location
- Somewhere in Bristol
hahahaha! your OP linked itself to someother site and it was £800! I thought 'shesh he has spent the money on a great set-up, that is too much for me'. Now I just seen your post and you got me thinking!
For that price it would be worth it. Glad its working out for you.
I think the trick would be using it for 3 days plus and then see what voltage you end up with. Even if it drops only slightly it would still be worth fitting one.
Is that panel one of those flexible types? or is it solid and is that why it lives on the roof?
G
