We are off on a trip in Perth on the 27th and it is very hot at the moment.
How to keep the temp down in the van?
We also have sola so need to have some sun on the roof but the issue is the roof get quite hot
any tips very welcome
hufnpuf said
10:24 AM Dec 22, 2022
1. I have a companion air cooler like this one. They do not work in humid places and people from humid environments over east might tell you they are useless, but they're not useless here in the dry heat of Perth. Here, people have evaporative systems on their houses and this little unit works in WA where I've used it. www.tentworld.com.au/buy-sale/companion-mini-evaporative-cooler-system-rechargeable
It won't cool your van, but it will cool you if you let it blow on you, especially when you are trying to get to sleep.
2. If you have a freezer and can freeze ice bricks, using one as a "cold water bottle" will help make you feel cooler. Wrap it in a teatowel or handtowel and if you don't want it to wet your bedding, put something non-absorbent underneath. It's the same as hot water bottles in winter, if your feet are happy the rest of you is happier.
3. If you get a sea breeze, open up any windows facing the coast and on the other side for cross-ventilation. The sea breezes can rapidly cool things down if there is one. Often it will drop and you get no breeze but if you get the "fremantle doctor" it can cool things down a bit.
PeterInSa said
11:57 AM Dec 22, 2022
A friend has a larger model than the unit below for his caravan ( also has roof top air conditioning), and is very happy with it. Can run off a small inverter
I would be wary of using one in a all metal campervan eg Sprinter, just in case of starting roof rust. Bunning have larger units.
In our dry heat, the water truly evaporates and you leave the windows open when you run them so there shouldn't be build up of condensation. (again, different story in humid climates). My little one is very compact, fits in a small cupboard and has a small footprint but if OP can go bigger it might be better for him.
Mike Harding said
12:33 PM Dec 22, 2022
What is "sola"? Do you mean solar panels?
Ways to keep cool:
12V fans are good
Air conditioning - needs a 240V power source
Wet towels placed in airflow paths
Take your clothes off - but don't frighten the natives :)
Bobdown said
01:19 PM Dec 22, 2022
Maids, you might need a portable solar panel, so you can park in the shade, and still get some charge.
Doesn't matter what you have inside for cooling, Perth is very hot in summer, 38 tomorrow and usually a week of 40 degrees, do not park in full sun.
Just have enough battery power to run during the day and get the solar to charge up mornings and afternoons in the cooler times.
12V fans are the go for sleeping at night, but try to sit under the awning in a breeze during the hot times.
maids said
07:37 PM Dec 22, 2022
PeterInSa wrote:
A friend has a larger model than the unit below for his caravan ( also has roof top air conditioning), and is very happy with it. Can run off a small inverter
I would be wary of using one in a all metal campervan eg Sprinter, just in case of starting roof rust. Bunning have larger units.
-- Edited by PeterInSa on Friday 23rd of December 2022 11:54:30 AM
dont need another we have a 2000w which is much bigger
maids said
12:54 PM Dec 23, 2022
Dougwe wrote:
G'day Maids,
I have a aircon in my aluminium teepee that I use anytime needed if on 240v.
If 'off grid' I have a gennie but only use it at 2.00am when everyone is asleep. That way they won't hear it. I'm thoughtful like that.
Yes, the gennie runs the aircon but nothing else at same time.
I also have a cloth similar to a shammy that I soak in cold water and wrap around back of neck. Between that and feet in cold water it keeps me cool.
Keep Safe out there.
Yes we are going offgrid and do have a geny problem is most places stipulate when you can and cant use them, eg 8am to 11am 3pm to 5pm
Tony Bev said
01:07 PM Dec 23, 2022
Hi Maids
I was in the same position as yourself, when I was using AGM batteries, I had to have the sun, shining on the roof solar
I can therefore see where you are coming from
As the sun goes across the sky, in the north, I tried to angle my motorhome, so that the fridge side of my motorhome, (passenger side), had a bit of shade by about 10 am
If I was staying for more than one night, then I would put out the shade, and sit under the shade, and not the inside of the motorhome, in the heat of the day
I opened all widows and hatches (which had flywire) as any breeze always seemed to help
As I use a GPS to find the free/donation/low cost sites, I always knew where the north was
If I could park the motorhome with the nose inside the shade of a tree, while still having the solar panel in the sun, then that was a bonus to me
I purchased the usual Sirocco 12 volt fans, and then purchased a lightweight solar panel, so that I could park further under the shade
As I now have lithium batteries, then as soon as I stop somewhere, I look for the shade, as these batteries seem to be a lot better than AGM ones
In summery (apart from all the other advice), if you can keep your body under some sort of shade, (perhaps on a chair under a tree, reading a book), you will be cooler, than sitting inside a motorhome
Hope that this advice is useful to you
msg said
02:01 PM Dec 23, 2022
A solar panel on the roof could provide a certain amount of shade, especially if it is mounted a couple of inches off the roof.
This could provide actual shade to the roof plus a breezeway under the panel, thus keeping the roof a little cooler. So, sun effect is not as bad as you might think.
My motorhome is basically a tin can and if I keep the roof hatch and windows open and fans going. It's not too bad even in the highest temps. i.e it's a little cooler than outside under the awning.
maids said
03:46 PM Dec 23, 2022
Tony Bev wrote:
Hi Maids
I was in the same position as yourself, when I was using AGM batteries, I had to have the sun, shining on the roof solar
I can therefore see where you are coming from
As the sun goes across the sky, in the north, I tried to angle my motorhome, so that the fridge side of my motorhome, (passenger side), had a bit of shade by about 10 am
If I was staying for more than one night, then I would put out the shade, and sit under the shade, and not the inside of the motorhome, in the heat of the day
I opened all widows and hatches (which had flywire) as any breeze always seemed to help
As I use a GPS to find the free/donation/low cost sites, I always knew where the north was If I could park the motorhome with the nose inside the shade of a tree, while still having the solar panel in the sun, then that was a bonus to me
I purchased the usual Sirocco 12 volt fans, and then purchased a lightweight solar panel, so that I could park further under the shade
As I now have lithium batteries, then as soon as I stop somewhere, I look for the shade, as these batteries seem to be a lot better than AGM ones
In summery (apart from all the other advice), if you can keep your body under some sort of shade, (perhaps on a chair under a tree, reading a book), you will be cooler, than sitting inside a motorhome
Hope that this advice is useful to you
the problem was in our Van the sola panels has to be on the drivers side as the awning and all the vents were an issue. Not of the vents have fans and no hatch, it was sealed up previously because we think it was leaking.
I did get a siricco fan and we have a big shade for the fridge side which partially goes over a window
It appears that most of the heat is coming through the roof.
We were also told these new shingle panels still change under a bit of tree shade.
Was trying to work out if we park the arse end west or not but I know the sun is hotter in the afternoon but then if the sea breeze comes in we can open the back doors.
Lithium batteries sound great but we were told not to put them in the van? and they are soooo expensive
yobarr said
04:05 PM Dec 23, 2022
maids wrote:
PeterInSa wrote:
Re (we have a 2000w I verter but running that may kill the batteries)
From memory friend said his larger unit was 65watts so to me a $45, 150watt inverter should do the job. But check B4 buying.
-- Edited by PeterInSa on Friday 23rd of December 2022 11:54:30 AM
dont need another we have a 2000w which is much bigger
Did you consider that perhaps Peter suggested using the 150 watt inverter because doing so would address your concerns about "kill the batteries"? Nothing matches Lithium. Quickly charged with solaR (that's SOLAR with an R) , far more usable power, under half the weight. Could I suggest that you heed advice from people on here (NOT me) who know their stuff about Solar etc. Jaahn and Jonathan come to mind, but there are several others. My van never was in the shade when I worked on a 500,000 station in the Pilbara, (45 degrees plus): but the roof is covered in SolaR and I ran my 2.5kw AC 24/7 off Lithium. You could consider hinging the panels on a couple of sides to maximise exposure to the sun. Cheers.
-- Edited by yobarr on Friday 23rd of December 2022 04:18:11 PM
maids said
04:18 PM Dec 23, 2022
yobarr wrote:
maids wrote:
PeterInSa wrote:
Re (we have a 2000w I verter but running that may kill the batteries)
From memory friend said his larger unit was 65watts so to me a $45, 150watt inverter should do the job. But check B4 buying.
-- Edited by PeterInSa on Friday 23rd of December 2022 11:54:30 AM
dont need another we have a 2000w which is much bigger
Did you consider that perhaps Peter suggested using the 150 watt inverter because doing so would address your concerns about "kill the batteries"? Nothing matches Lithium. Quickly charged with solaR (that's SOLAR with an R) , far more usable power, under half the weight. Could I suggest that you heed advice from people on here (NOT me) who know their stuff about Solar etc. Jaahn and Jonathan come to mind, but there are several others. My van never was in the shade when I worked on a 500,000 station in the Pilbara, (45 degrees plus): but the roof is covered in SolaR and I ran my 2.5kw AC 24/7 off Lithium. You could consider hinging the panels on a couple of sides to maximise exposure to the sun. Cheers.
I dont understand we have a 2000w inverter much bigger than a 150w. the guy that put ours in suggested lithium but we simply could not afford it as we are over capitalizing on this thing lol it cost a lot to fix up when we bought it. I was told these shingle solar panels are very good
yobarr said
04:50 PM Dec 23, 2022
maids wrote:
yobarr wrote:
Did you consider that perhaps Peter suggested using the 150 watt inverter because doing so would address your concerns about "kill the batteries"? Nothing matches Lithium. Quickly charged with solaR (that's SOLAR with an R) , far more usable power, under half the weight. Could I suggest that you heed advice from people on here (NOT me) who know their stuff about Solar etc. Jaahn and Jonathan come to mind, but there are several others. My van never was in the shade when I worked on a 500,000 station in the Pilbara, (45 degrees plus): but the roof is covered in SolaR and I ran my 2.5kw AC 24/7 off Lithium. You could consider hinging the panels on a couple of sides to maximise exposure to the sun. Cheers.
I dont understand we have a 2000w inverter much bigger than a 150w. the guy that put ours in suggested lithium but we simply could not afford it as we are over capitalizing on this thing lol it cost a lot to fix up when we bought it. I was told these shingle solar panels are very good
The point I was making is that surely a 150 watt inverter would use less of your available power than would a 2000 watt inverter, thus saving battery power? Also, I am being thinking that anybody who tries to tell you that a shingle panel, or indeed any panel, will still work when in the shade either has a vested interest, or speaks with a forked tongue. (Or both). My Solar system cost big dollars, but, believe me, when it's 45 degrees C outside and you're comfortable at 25 degrees all night, "over capitalising" is the last thing on your mind. Cheers
maids said
06:47 PM Dec 23, 2022
yobarr wrote:
maids wrote:
yobarr wrote:
Did you consider that perhaps Peter suggested using the 150 watt inverter because doing so would address your concerns about "kill the batteries"? Nothing matches Lithium. Quickly charged with solaR (that's SOLAR with an R) , far more usable power, under half the weight. Could I suggest that you heed advice from people on here (NOT me) who know their stuff about Solar etc. Jaahn and Jonathan come to mind, but there are several others. My van never was in the shade when I worked on a 500,000 station in the Pilbara, (45 degrees plus): but the roof is covered in SolaR and I ran my 2.5kw AC 24/7 off Lithium. You could consider hinging the panels on a couple of sides to maximise exposure to the sun. Cheers.
I dont understand we have a 2000w inverter much bigger than a 150w. the guy that put ours in suggested lithium but we simply could not afford it as we are over capitalizing on this thing lol it cost a lot to fix up when we bought it. I was told these shingle solar panels are very good
The point I was making is that surely a 150 watt inverter would use less of your available power than would a 2000 watt inverter, thus saving battery power? Also, I am being thinking that anybody who tries to tell you that a shingle panel, or indeed any panel, will still work when in the shade either has a vested interest, or speaks with a forked tongue. (Or both). My Solar system cost big dollars, but, believe me, when it's 45 degrees C outside and you're comfortable at 25 degrees all night, "over capitalising" is the last thing on your mind. Cheers
now I understand but we need the 2000w for other things we run (over capitalising" is the last thing on your mind) so true
TimTim said
10:21 PM Dec 23, 2022
Your 2000W inverter uses power when in standby so turn it off when not in use so that you save power when free camping. Some people use two inverters, one for the larger appliances and a smaller one for low powered items.
Solar panels can produce some power when partially shaded but that is also dependent on the number of diodes in the panel. Most cheaper panels lose most of their output when partially shaded. What make of solar panels do you have?
maids said
10:54 PM Dec 23, 2022
they are 200w x2 shingle panels
msg said
11:39 PM Dec 23, 2022
maids wrote:
Lithium batteries sound great but we were told not to put them in the van? and they are soooo expensive
What is the reason given for not having lithium batteries in your van? I have had mine under the passenger seat for about four years with no problems.
yobarr said
12:01 AM Dec 24, 2022
msg wrote:
maids wrote:
Lithium batteries sound great but we were told not to put them in the van? and they are soooo expensive
What is the reason given for not having lithium batteries in your van? I have had mine under the passenger seat for about four years with no problems.
r Agreed. My Lithium lives under my bed, along with all manner of controllers and other stuff that I do not understand! Mind you, if such advice came from the same person who peddled the Shingle panels to Janet, it is understandable. Cheers
Whenarewethere said
06:34 AM Dec 24, 2022
I have a professional 3.0kVA (2700 watt) inverter at home to run computers off batteries while we have a blackouts so I could keep working. Cost $4,500 in 2007. It's a brilliant but of kit & paid for itself many times. So glad I got it.
But the overheads of the inverter running even if you do not actually have a load drains the batteries.
Firstly try to run everything off 12 volts. We manage on our travels & use methylated spirits for cooking (did use a lighter fuel stove, still have it). Why waste resources, more so limited resources changing voltage back & forth between 12v & 240v.
I bought a Canon 12v battery charger for my DSLR, it cost far more than an inverter but in the long run it is easier. We use Braun 2 x AA electric toothbrushes.
If you have heaps of solaR (with an R which makes future searches of topics more useful as Sola is an unrelated product) & lots of battery capacity then you can waste energy resources till the cows come home.
If you need an inverter for a fridge or computer for instance, get a dedicated high quality one for it.
There is nothing wrong with lead acid batteries for higher loads, but design your system so as to keep loads to a minimum. Turn off your inverter as soon as you have finished with it or get more solaR & batteries.
msg said
09:13 AM Dec 24, 2022
I agree. Everything I use in my van is 12v. except, the air conditioner and microwave and the gas stove. Hot water is generated via the engine.
All the lights, fans, computers, notepads, TV, sound system, water pumps, shower, Loo, and fridge run off 12 v. I am loaded to capacity with batteries and solar panels. Its only a small MH (5.7mtrs nose to tail)
Was a bit touch and go with power usage when I had the AGM's but lithium has made all the difference and I no longer worry about what to plug in.
If it's raining and I'm getting low, I could just go for a 30minute drive and recharge, but I haven't had to do that yet. (It's a motorhome and takes no time at all to pack up and move)
Simples
maids said
09:33 AM Dec 24, 2022
how do you run laptop of 12v please?
maids said
09:41 AM Dec 24, 2022
yobarr wrote:
msg wrote:
maids wrote:
Lithium batteries sound great but we were told not to put them in the van? and they are soooo expensive
What is the reason given for not having lithium batteries in your van? I have had mine under the passenger seat for about four years with no problems.
r Agreed. My Lithium lives under my bed, along with all manner of controllers and other stuff that I do not understand! Mind you, if such advice came from the same person who peddled the Shingle panels to Janet, it is understandable. Cheers
Actually we did not go with the guy that said lithium is a waste of time in a van, we went to a professional that we have dealt with before who tried to talk us into lithium but at the time irt was much too expensive. bottom line is we went away for three nights to test the system and it went well with the peddled shingle panels..this ran our tv nvidia player microwave and filled up the batteries as much as it could as we were at Badem power under huge trees.
Our only concern now is how to keep cool until we decide if we really need to spend some more money on an upgrade,, and YES would go back to the same person as he did try to convince us to spend the money
Jaahn said
09:49 AM Dec 24, 2022
Hi maids
Your question is universal in Australia in summer. But you will not like the answer. Plan your travel to suit the weather. We try to be flexible and if the weather is bad we change it. After all we go for our own pleasure and if it is not pleasing then do something else.
Sitting down in the forest near a river is cool, up the mountains is cooler, out in the desert is hot, further north is hotter yet, your choice in mid summer. I have no answer to some of the problems. But I do know that even driving my Sprinter into the heat with the air con going full on, trying to balance the sun and heat coming in the huge front windscreen is enough to kill us. We add wet towels also but even driving is bad. So we try not to do it. I have put a silver band across the top of the screen and on the top of the side window shields to help shield us from the sun.
Three years ago we drove down to Victoria for some important family business, during the heat and the bushfires etc. IT was hell and we tried driving at night more. Hmm ended up like dried prunes with the heat beating down on us through the screen and the air con blasting at us.
Sorry jaahn
PeterInSa said
09:58 AM Dec 24, 2022
Re (how do you run laptop of 12v please?)
I run my 45w HP laptop off a 150 watt inverter. Ebay Probably cheaper than Jaycars $45. unit
-- Edited by PeterInSa on Saturday 24th of December 2022 10:04:02 AM
keeping cool tips please
we have a vw crafter campervan (new to us)
We are off on a trip in Perth on the 27th and it is very hot at the moment.
How to keep the temp down in the van?
We also have sola so need to have some sun on the roof but the issue is the roof get quite hot
any tips very welcome
www.tentworld.com.au/buy-sale/companion-mini-evaporative-cooler-system-rechargeable
It won't cool your van, but it will cool you if you let it blow on you, especially when you are trying to get to sleep.
2. If you have a freezer and can freeze ice bricks, using one as a "cold water bottle" will help make you feel cooler. Wrap it in a teatowel or handtowel and if you don't want it to wet your bedding, put something non-absorbent underneath. It's the same as hot water bottles in winter, if your feet are happy the rest of you is happier.
3. If you get a sea breeze, open up any windows facing the coast and on the other side for cross-ventilation. The sea breezes can rapidly cool things down if there is one. Often it will drop and you get no breeze but if you get the "fremantle doctor" it can cool things down a bit.
I would be wary of using one in a all metal campervan eg Sprinter, just in case of starting roof rust. Bunning have larger units.
www.bunnings.com.au/click-5l-portable-evaporative-cooler_p0369598
In our dry heat, the water truly evaporates and you leave the windows open when you run them so there shouldn't be build up of condensation. (again, different story in humid climates). My little one is very compact, fits in a small cupboard and has a small footprint but if OP can go bigger it might be better for him.
What is "sola"? Do you mean solar panels?
Ways to keep cool:
12V fans are good
Air conditioning - needs a 240V power source
Wet towels placed in airflow paths
Take your clothes off - but don't frighten the natives :)
Maids, you might need a portable solar panel, so you can park in the shade, and still get some charge.
Doesn't matter what you have inside for cooling, Perth is very hot in summer, 38 tomorrow and usually a week of 40 degrees, do not park in full sun.
Just have enough battery power to run during the day and get the solar to charge up mornings and afternoons in the cooler times.
12V fans are the go for sleeping at night, but try to sit under the awning in a breeze during the hot times.
we have a 2000w I verter but running that may kill the batteries
Probably a bit late for you but after going to Greece I bought a misting spray on Aliexpress and connected it to my 12v fan.
Great for sitting outdoors under the awning.
-- Edited by TimTim on Thursday 22nd of December 2022 11:38:34 PM
Re (we have a 2000w I verter but running that may kill the batteries)
From memory friend said his larger unit was 65watts so to me a $45, 150watt inverter should do the job. But check B4 buying.
www.jaycar.com.au/150w-450w-12vdc-to-240vac-modified-sinewave-inverter/p/MI5300
-- Edited by PeterInSa on Friday 23rd of December 2022 11:54:30 AM
I have a aircon in my aluminium teepee that I use anytime needed if on 240v.
If 'off grid' I have a gennie but only use it at 2.00am when everyone is asleep. That way they won't hear it. I'm thoughtful like that.
Yes, the gennie runs the aircon but nothing else at same time.
I also have a cloth similar to a shammy that I soak in cold water and wrap around back of neck. Between that and feet in cold water it keeps me cool.
Keep Safe out there.
dont need another we have a 2000w which is much bigger
Yes we are going offgrid and do have a geny problem is most places stipulate when you can and cant use them, eg 8am to 11am 3pm to 5pm
I was in the same position as yourself, when I was using AGM batteries, I had to have the sun, shining on the roof solar
I can therefore see where you are coming from
As the sun goes across the sky, in the north, I tried to angle my motorhome, so that the fridge side of my motorhome, (passenger side), had a bit of shade by about 10 am
If I was staying for more than one night, then I would put out the shade, and sit under the shade, and not the inside of the motorhome, in the heat of the day
I opened all widows and hatches (which had flywire) as any breeze always seemed to help
As I use a GPS to find the free/donation/low cost sites, I always knew where the north was
If I could park the motorhome with the nose inside the shade of a tree, while still having the solar panel in the sun, then that was a bonus to me
I purchased the usual Sirocco 12 volt fans, and then purchased a lightweight solar panel, so that I could park further under the shade
As I now have lithium batteries, then as soon as I stop somewhere, I look for the shade, as these batteries seem to be a lot better than AGM ones
In summery (apart from all the other advice), if you can keep your body under some sort of shade, (perhaps on a chair under a tree, reading a book), you will be cooler, than sitting inside a motorhome
Hope that this advice is useful to you
This could provide actual shade to the roof plus a breezeway under the panel, thus keeping the roof a little cooler. So, sun effect is not as bad as you might think.
My motorhome is basically a tin can and if I keep the roof hatch and windows open and fans going. It's not too bad even in the highest temps. i.e it's a little cooler than outside under the awning.
the problem was in our Van the sola panels has to be on the drivers side as the awning and all the vents were an issue. Not of the vents have fans and no hatch, it was sealed up previously because we think it was leaking.
I did get a siricco fan and we have a big shade for the fridge side which partially goes over a window
It appears that most of the heat is coming through the roof.
We were also told these new shingle panels still change under a bit of tree shade.
Was trying to work out if we park the arse end west or not but I know the sun is hotter in the afternoon but then if the sea breeze comes in we can open the back doors.
Lithium batteries sound great but we were told not to put them in the van? and they are soooo expensive
Did you consider that perhaps Peter suggested using the 150 watt inverter because doing so would address your concerns about "kill the batteries"? Nothing matches Lithium. Quickly charged with solaR (that's SOLAR with an R) , far more usable power, under half the weight. Could I suggest that you heed advice from people on here (NOT me) who know their stuff about Solar etc. Jaahn and Jonathan come to mind, but there are several others. My van never was in the shade when I worked on a 500,000 station in the Pilbara, (45 degrees plus): but the roof is covered in SolaR and I ran my 2.5kw AC 24/7 off Lithium. You could consider hinging the panels on a couple of sides to maximise exposure to the sun. Cheers.
-- Edited by yobarr on Friday 23rd of December 2022 04:18:11 PM
I dont understand we have a 2000w inverter much bigger than a 150w. the guy that put ours in suggested lithium but we simply could not afford it as we are over capitalizing on this thing lol it cost a lot to fix up when we bought it. I was told these shingle solar panels are very good
The point I was making is that surely a 150 watt inverter would use less of your available power than would a 2000 watt inverter, thus saving battery power? Also, I am being thinking that anybody who tries to tell you that a shingle panel, or indeed any panel, will still work when in the shade either has a vested interest, or speaks with a forked tongue. (Or both). My Solar system cost big dollars, but, believe me, when it's 45 degrees C outside and you're comfortable at 25 degrees all night, "over capitalising" is the last thing on your mind. Cheers
now I understand but we need the 2000w for other things we run (over capitalising" is the last thing on your mind) so true
Your 2000W inverter uses power when in standby so turn it off when not in use so that you save power when free camping. Some people use two inverters, one for the larger appliances and a smaller one for low powered items.
Solar panels can produce some power when partially shaded but that is also dependent on the number of diodes in the panel. Most cheaper panels lose most of their output when partially shaded. What make of solar panels do you have?
What is the reason given for not having lithium batteries in your van? I have had mine under the passenger seat for about four years with no problems.
r Agreed. My Lithium lives under my bed, along with all manner of controllers and other stuff that I do not understand! Mind you, if such advice came from the same person who peddled the Shingle panels to Janet, it is understandable. Cheers
I have a professional 3.0kVA (2700 watt) inverter at home to run computers off batteries while we have a blackouts so I could keep working. Cost $4,500 in 2007. It's a brilliant but of kit & paid for itself many times. So glad I got it.
But the overheads of the inverter running even if you do not actually have a load drains the batteries.
Firstly try to run everything off 12 volts. We manage on our travels & use methylated spirits for cooking (did use a lighter fuel stove, still have it). Why waste resources, more so limited resources changing voltage back & forth between 12v & 240v.
I bought a Canon 12v battery charger for my DSLR, it cost far more than an inverter but in the long run it is easier. We use Braun 2 x AA electric toothbrushes.
If you have heaps of solaR (with an R which makes future searches of topics more useful as Sola is an unrelated product) & lots of battery capacity then you can waste energy resources till the cows come home.
If you need an inverter for a fridge or computer for instance, get a dedicated high quality one for it.
There is nothing wrong with lead acid batteries for higher loads, but design your system so as to keep loads to a minimum. Turn off your inverter as soon as you have finished with it or get more solaR & batteries.
All the lights, fans, computers, notepads, TV, sound system, water pumps, shower, Loo, and fridge run off 12 v. I am loaded to capacity with batteries and solar panels. Its only a small MH (5.7mtrs nose to tail)
Was a bit touch and go with power usage when I had the AGM's but lithium has made all the difference and I no longer worry about what to plug in.
If it's raining and I'm getting low, I could just go for a 30minute drive and recharge, but I haven't had to do that yet. (It's a motorhome and takes no time at all to pack up and move)
Simples
how do you run laptop of 12v please?
Actually we did not go with the guy that said lithium is a waste of time in a van, we went to a professional that we have dealt with before who tried to talk us into lithium but at the time irt was much too expensive. bottom line is we went away for three nights to test the system and it went well with the peddled shingle panels..this ran our tv nvidia player microwave and filled up the batteries as much as it could as we were at Badem power under huge trees.
Our only concern now is how to keep cool until we decide if we really need to spend some more money on an upgrade,, and YES would go back to the same person as he did try to convince us to spend the money
Hi maids
Your question is universal in Australia in summer. But you will not like the answer. Plan your travel to suit the weather. We try to be flexible and if the weather is bad we change it. After all we go for our own pleasure and if it is not pleasing then do something else.
Sitting down in the forest near a river is cool, up the mountains is cooler, out in the desert is hot, further north is hotter yet, your choice in mid summer. I have no answer to some of the problems. But I do know that even driving my Sprinter into the heat with the air con going full on, trying to balance the sun and heat coming in the huge front windscreen is enough to kill us. We add wet towels also but even driving is bad. So we try not to do it. I have put a silver band across the top of the screen and on the top of the side window shields to help shield us from the sun.
Three years ago we drove down to Victoria for some important family business, during the heat and the bushfires etc. IT was hell and we tried driving at night more. Hmm ended up like dried prunes with the heat beating down on us through the screen and the air con blasting at us.
Sorry jaahn
Re (how do you run laptop of 12v please?)
I run my 45w HP laptop off a 150 watt inverter. Ebay Probably cheaper than Jaycars $45. unit
-- Edited by PeterInSa on Saturday 24th of December 2022 10:04:02 AM