I,m confused !!! There is so much literature around about the does and don'ts with inverters I have no idea what to go for. My wife doesn't want to carry a generator around but still wants the little luxuries,like the TV, DVD player computer etc. There are 2 80W solar panels fitted with 2 deep cycle batteries also. Can someone please explain to me in plain english what I should be looking for. Thanks in anticipation .
Gary
Webmaster said
03:20 PM May 14, 2008
Hi Gary, Installing a solar power system for your caravan is a great alternative to using a generator both in terms of noise and petrol consumption. Are you planning to do the work yourself or do you have an electrician or battery specialist to help you? There was a good discussion on this forum recently regarding solar power (http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=51933&p=3&topicID=15950482) which included details of several member's solar setups. Although I'm not an expert, I believe that in general, you will need a solar regulator (to safely transfer the power generated from your solar panels to your battery), an inverter (to convert your battery's power into a safe 240 volt supply for your appliances), and the solar panels and deep cycle batteries you have already mentioned. You will also require some good wiring. Happily, solar power technology is improving all the time and is becoming cheaper to install. And once you've got the system in place, you'll just need a bit of sunshine to stay powered up!
Gary and Kerry said
06:22 PM May 14, 2008
Thanks Webmaster, I should have been a bit more clear with my request,the solar panels,regulator and batteries have already been fitted professionally. The inverter was really an after thought. I talked to the electrician at work today and he was able to answer ost of my questions.
There is so much literature around about the does and don'ts with inverters I have no idea what to go for.
My wife doesn't want to carry a generator around but still wants the little luxuries,like the TV, DVD player computer etc.
There are 2 80W solar panels fitted with 2 deep cycle batteries also.
Can someone please explain to me in plain english what I should be looking for.
Thanks in anticipation
Gary
Installing a solar power system for your caravan is a great alternative to using a generator both in terms of noise and petrol consumption. Are you planning to do the work yourself or do you have an electrician or battery specialist to help you?
There was a good discussion on this forum recently regarding solar power (http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=51933&p=3&topicID=15950482) which included details of several member's solar setups.
Although I'm not an expert, I believe that in general, you will need a solar regulator (to safely transfer the power generated from your solar panels to your battery), an inverter (to convert your battery's power into a safe 240 volt supply for your appliances), and the solar panels and deep cycle batteries you have already mentioned. You will also require some good wiring.
Happily, solar power technology is improving all the time and is becoming cheaper to install. And once you've got the system in place, you'll just need a bit of sunshine to stay powered up!
I should have been a bit more clear with my request,the solar panels,regulator and batteries have already been fitted professionally.
The inverter was really an after thought. I talked to the electrician at work today and he was able to answer ost of my questions.
thanks again
Gary