I am interested to know what additions you have or recommend for adding to the van. I am considering
solar panels what size?
Generator what size?
UHF radio any brands?
Satellite vast system?
Anything I should look at and consider
Thanks
valiant81 said
08:18 PM Aug 5, 2013
Hi barina;
Solar panels and battery size, well that depends on what type of load you wish to place on your batterys. This area is a real can of worms and there is a lot of information out there.
I have a Jayco pop top caravan and the only things that need 240 Volt power is the air conditioner and the micro wave. The rest of the caravan runs off the 12 Volt house battery. Now i have 2x 120 Watt solar panels on the roof of the pop top, a 30 Amp solar controller and this feeds the house battery ( 12 Volt/ 200 Amp deep cycle sealed lead acid battery ). And so far have never had a problem with free camping, although i have run out of water before the batterys have gone flat.
As for the Vast system, there is now a 12 Volt version, so with a 12 Volt television and your vast receiver you can have television were ever you are. The hard part is finding the sattilight, but with a good sattilight meter and a good compase, it's not to hard. BUT this alone and be a good reason to file for divorce.
Setting up your MH will take some time, take your time, ask questions , whether here or on other forums. Good luck.
brickies said
08:25 PM Aug 5, 2013
First thing have you found the need for items on the list if so that good but don't buy things you don't need , We have had a caravan for 6 years we have a house battery 12 volt lights and gas for stove and fridge 12 volt TV/DVD which I can use for DVD when no tv , Would not be without house battery set 1 has been enough for us if we found a problem would get a second battery. When we were buy our caravan brand new I asked the saleman about extras and he said wait till you find the need for anything has you can be carting stuff around for nothing we found if was good advice and still do not have anything on your list , But that is no reason for you not to buy what you want
Happywanderer said
09:30 PM Aug 5, 2013
In regards to solar panel, no less than 120 watt and maybe up to 200 watt would be about right. I'm looking for 200 for my van.
Perhaps look at changing any 12 volt internal lights to LED if they are not already. I changed mine which were fluorescent to LED. The battery level doesn't even move now where it dropped dramatically before.
I wouldn't worry about a generator until you work out if you need one and what size. I can plug into 240 power so only use applicable items on those occasions.
Hope that helps Barina.
brickies said
10:23 PM Aug 5, 2013
It also would depend on how much free camping you want to do newer set up have built in chargers for AGM house batterys which charge while driving and also when hooked up to mains power , Your life stye will depend on what you need we all have different needs
barina said
10:38 PM Aug 5, 2013
Thanks all.....
Dunmowin said
12:40 AM Aug 6, 2013
Chat with Cruising Granny. She has recently bought one.
jetj said
06:01 AM Aug 6, 2013
barina wrote:
I am interested to know what additions you have or recommend for adding to the van. I am considering
solar panels what size?
Generator what size?
UHF radio any brands?
Satellite vast system?
Anything I should look at and consider
Thanks
With solar panels there is a sweet spot where they are better value for money but for me 120w x2 or a 200-240w panel is the go. I have a 100ah AGM house battery and an 80ah AGM cold cranking starting battery. Solar panels need a controller/regulator, portables have one attached, others don't generally. For 240W you need min 20 amp I think.
I have a UHF chinese radio, cost $50 and I programmed the 80 channels into it.
I don't like to listen to gennies but would have a Honda 10i or 20i if I were to get one. Prefer not to.
The van may or may not have a 240v battery charger and an inverter already built in.
I am interested to know what additions you have or recommend for adding to the van. I am considering
solar panels what size?
Generator what size?
UHF radio any brands?
Satellite vast system?
Anything I should look at and consider
Thanks
Hi barina;
Solar panels and battery size, well that depends on what type of load you wish to place on your batterys. This area is a real can of worms and there is a lot of information out there.
I have a Jayco pop top caravan and the only things that need 240 Volt power is the air conditioner and the micro wave. The rest of the caravan runs off the 12 Volt house battery. Now i have 2x 120 Watt solar panels on the roof of the pop top, a 30 Amp solar controller and this feeds the house battery ( 12 Volt/ 200 Amp deep cycle sealed lead acid battery ). And so far have never had a problem with free camping, although i have run out of water before the batterys have gone flat.
As for the Vast system, there is now a 12 Volt version, so with a 12 Volt television and your vast receiver you can have television were ever you are. The hard part is finding the sattilight, but with a good sattilight meter and a good compase, it's not to hard. BUT this alone and be a good reason to file for divorce.
Setting up your MH will take some time, take your time, ask questions , whether here or on other forums. Good luck.
Perhaps look at changing any 12 volt internal lights to LED if they are not already. I changed mine which were fluorescent to LED. The battery level doesn't even move now where it dropped dramatically before.
I wouldn't worry about a generator until you work out if you need one and what size. I can plug into 240 power so only use applicable items on those occasions.
Hope that helps Barina.
Thanks all.....
Chat with Cruising Granny. She has recently bought one.
With solar panels there is a sweet spot where they are better value for money but for me 120w x2 or a 200-240w panel is the go. I have a 100ah AGM house battery and an 80ah AGM cold cranking starting battery. Solar panels need a controller/regulator, portables have one attached, others don't generally. For 240W you need min 20 amp I think.
I have a UHF chinese radio, cost $50 and I programmed the 80 channels into it.
I don't like to listen to gennies but would have a Honda 10i or 20i if I were to get one. Prefer not to.
The van may or may not have a 240v battery charger and an inverter already built in.
LED lights are the way to go, cheap online.