solar panels for free camping

milo · Senior Member

solar panels for free camping

twobob · Guru

Milo

I noticed no one has replied, so I will have a shot at it for you

Solar panels use the sun's energy and convert it to power. So without the sun there is no converstion (night time, cloud and shade). When there is partial sun, you get partial output from them.

This power is normally at 12volts, the same as your house batteries. There are ways of connecting many of them together to get extra grunt, but always at the same voltage.

This power is stored in batteries (house battery), so their abilities to provide sufficent power is dependent on the number and types of batteries, and the time in the sun. Think of them as another way to charge your batteries.

The battery power is converted to mains power via an inverter to get 240v Ac. Something separate from the solar panels themselves, which you possible already have.

Whether these panels are fixed on the roof or portable is a personal decision. Roof fixing has problems when parking in the shade, portable with setup and storage.

They are popular for camping away from mains power, though expensive to buy. They are quite capable of withstanding the outside elements, as that is where they are designed to be. The price varies with the type of crystal cell used, the casing, and the suggested power output of the unit.

I suggest you have a chat to a solar guy, and let them see what you have in the motor home, and let them make recommendations for you to consider. Without a reasonable knowledge of these, I think it would be better to have someone else install them.

jimricho · Guru

Hi Jason,

Unfortunately, as a former PM of the nation, one J. M. Fraser, once said, "life was not meant to be easy" and this applies to some extent to 12volt and solar electrics in RVs.

An excellent website that has been mentioned from time to time on this forum is http://www.caravanandmotorhomebooks.com/ There is a wealth of information there and the books are very good.

Also it may be worth your while going up to Sydney to the upcoming Caravan show at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse. There will be a number of stands flogging solar for RV where you ask questions. Details at http://www.supershow.com.au/ If you don't wish to drive you could catch the train up from Nowra but give this weekend a miss if you do as there's trackwork on the Parramatta and Carlingford lines. Details at http://www.cityrail.info/timetables/#landingPoint

Jim

hammer · Senior Member

Hi Milo,
Collyn Rivers has some good books on this if you go to the CMCA web site you will find them there.

jimricho · Guru

hammer wrote:

Hi Milo,
Collyn Rivers has some good books on this if you go to the CMCA web site you will find them there.

I guess I should have been a little more specific but the website I refer to is Collyn Rivers' site

So there's two recommendations.

PeterD · Guru

I notice you mentioner running your fridge from solar. If its a Dometic 3 way there is no way you are going to carry enough batteries and panels to run that. If it is a compressor fridge you will need at least 220 Hh of batteries (70 kg weight) and at least 400 W of solar panels (at around 10 kg per 100 W) Have you enough capacity in your vehicle to carry that - weigh your vehicle in travelling trim and see how close to maximum weight you are.

jimricho · Guru

PeterD wrote:

I notice you mentioner running your fridge from solar. If its a Dometic 3 way there is no way you are going to carry enough batteries and panels to run that. If it is a compressor fridge you will need at least 220 Hh of batteries (70 kg weight) and at least 400 W of solar panels (at around 10 kg per 100 W) Have you enough capacity in your vehicle to carry that - weigh your vehicle in travelling trim and see how close to maximum weight you are.

Although I have a career background in matters electric and electronic I have no "hands on" experience with solar so I'm not in a position to query Peter's numbers but it does occur to me that if you have a 3 way fridge (on gas when free camping) and you forgo some of the "juice guzzlers" such as the microwave etc you'll reduce the demand on your battery/solar system. (I have noted that Peter's numbers are based on a compressor fridge)

Another consideration is to ensure that the "house" battery(s) is (are) able to be fully (or near fully) recharged when on the move, often not the case. A 3way fridge should be connected to the vehicle's main battery (not the house battery) via a relay (solonoid) that cuts the (12v) power when the engine is not running (probably already the case)

Many 240v appliances when operated from 12v via an inverter can be real battery drainers. It's a good idea to do your homework so you can recognise these.

Jim

-- Edited by jimricho on Monday 12th of April 2010 07:18:55 AM

milo · Senior Member

thanks for the repsonses guys..

our fridge is a 3 way one , and is on 12 volt when we drive, just out of interest,
I do know there is no power going to the fridge when the ignition is turned off, but it is when on, now if we park the motor home and go away for the day, ie looking at things etc , while on the road, what happens then?

jimricho · Guru

milo wrote:

thanks for the repsonses guys..

our fridge is a 3 way one , and is on 12 volt when we drive, just out of interest,
I do know there is no power going to the fridge when the ignition is turned off, but it is when on, now if we park the motor home and go away for the day, ie looking at things etc , while on the road, what happens then?

Switch over to gas if stopping for a significant amount of time....BUT....remember to switch back to 12v.... AND.... to turn the gas off at the cylinder before resuming your journey.

Short stops? (eg lunch, coffee, heartstarter etc)....don't worry, it'll stay cold for a while.

If you put a couple of those freezer block thingies (pre-frozen) in the freezer compartment, it's surprising how long the fridge stays cold if you avoid opening it

Sheba · Guru

Don't know if this will be of any use to any-one, but my Engel fridge runs on 240/12V. Switches automatically to Solar when not on 240. [I don't like gas in a Campervan.] I have one panel only, no inverter. I've run the fridge for a week at a time, day and night, with no problems so far.

Cheers,
Sheba.

milo · Senior Member

with solar panels, do you still get power at night?

Sheba · Guru

I run a light,[only need one] and a DVD Player, [watch a couple of movies before sleep] as well as the fridge Milo. I haven't tried the 12V TV yet though. My Fridge is a small Engel, not a full-size one. Before I go full-time, I'll get some-one who knows what their doing to see if they think I need another Panel and Battery.

Cheers,
Sheba.

Sheba · Guru

milo wrote:

with solar panels, do you still get power at night?

You have a Battery to store the power you get from the Panel Milo, so that you can run things at night as well.

Cheers,
Sheba.

milo · Senior Member

thats cool,

if it were my motor home, id do the firdge as suggested, with solar as back up
, hot water /toilet ,cooking on gas,
have lights and tv , laptop on solar. with the option of switching to 240 at a cp
or some other way of doing power for free camping,

also with free camping , are there limits to how long you can stay?

Sheba · Guru

milo wrote:

also with free camping , are there limits to how long you can stay?

That depends on where you are Milo. If you're away from built-up areas, usually unless there is a sign telling you how long you can stay, you'd probably be able to stay as long as you liked.
Some places allow 24 hrs, some 48 hrs, and some only let you stop for rest periods during daylight hours.

Cheers,
Sheba.

jimricho · Guru

Camps 5 lists the time limits at the campsites. They also have updates on their website.

Dunmowin · Guru

thanks milo and all. you have created an interesting conversation thread

LucyCoffill · Newbie

Solar Panels are the best way to recharge your batteries when camping. You have fixed these panels on the roof for better storage. Its simple to use & environmentally friendly. Try to carry folded & flexible panel so you can also to power your fridge,microwave, tv, lights ,laptop, etc for a few days.

03_Troopy · Guru

LucyCoffill wrote:
Solar Panels are the best way to recharge your batteries when camping. You have fixed these panels on the roof for better storage. Its simple to use & environmentally friendly. Try to carry folded & flexible panel so you can also to power your fridge,microwave, tv, lights ,laptop, etc for a few days.

Lots of panels and big batteries.... biggrin

LucyCoffill · Newbie

03_Troopy wrote:
LucyCoffill wrote:
Solar Panels are the best way to recharge your batteries when camping. You have fixed these panels on the roof for better storage. Its simple to use & environmentally friendly. Try to carry folded & flexible panel so you can also to power your fridge,microwave, tv, lights ,laptop, etc for a few days.
Lots of panels and big batteries....

We try to carry higher Watt Solar Panel. We do not use microwaves continuously.

Svowop · Member

I agree with Lucy, Solar panels is the best equipment you can carry along with your camping, Most of my camping tools are powered by solar panels, that includes my Tent, Lantern, Flashlight, Phone Charger, Backpacks, Power Bank. As long as you know how to set up panels and batteries everything will be okay. You will have sufficient power by day or night, you can extend your camping too.

Jaahn · Guru

Hi Svowop,

This thread is a couple of years old. Most of those people may have moved on. If you want current information and discussion, then I suggest you look in or search the solar power sub thread up the top of Techies' Corner for more recent threads. Or start your own discussion.

Jaahn

-- Edited by Jaahn on Wednesday 10th of May 2017 09:15:21 PM

Svowop · Member

Thanks for bringing it up to me. really appreciate your assistance. Jaahn aww aww