A newbie in need of advice.

Nomad-10 · Newbie

A newbie in need of advice.

dazren · Guru

smile WELCOME, NOMAD-10 You have picked the best site, all good people here, that try to help when they have the knowledge, and throw in a bit of humour, when they don't ?? Sorry to say you have picked 2 subjects i know very little about, But do not fear there is Always someone here that knows the answers and they will be along shortly.

Like your choice of van, i looked at 'big red' 19' myself, but it was to heavy for my tow vehicle, [ 2011 Colarado duel/fuel ] so i went for the 19' Lotus Sprint full rear ensuite model.

So once again WELCOME. and watch out for Wombat ??????? you will fnd out what that means later,??? biggrin biggrin

justcruisin01 · Guru

Nomad-10 wrote:
Hi everyone, I just love this forum, have been reading and learning from all of you for a while now. I just have a few questions of my own that need answering, if you are able to I thank you.
I have a New Nissan Patrol 3l turbo D, towing a 19ft New Age Big Red (also new), the maiden voyage was at New Years, it went really well, surprised myself as I have never towed or stayed in a caravan before. Everything worked just great (with a lot of help from this forum, I thank you)
What I would like advice on is:
1. Solar Panels, should I get to portable (2 x 60w) or get 2 x 125w fixed on roof? (the van is already pre-wired for Solar).
2. Satelite TV - a portable Dish, or one fixed to roof?
I am sure there will be other questions, but that will do for now. Thanks for reading this.

Welcome Nomad 10,

Solar panels, guess it will be a personal choice in the end, on the roof, out of the way but have to park in the sun , not the shade & harder to clean,

Portable, need room to store them, but able to chase the sun so you will get much more out of them. Which ever way you go be sure to mount the reg as close as possibile to the batteries & use at least 6mm wire.

I run a 135 watt on the roof & have 2x120watt portables ( 2x60 hinged together) for the freezer in the tug. I can mix & match as required, wired the roof top one so I can plug it into the tug when parked in town etc .or an early afternoon stop.

This combination system is very versatile. Can't help much with the sat system. dont have one but again I would tend to think portable for the same reasons, as Ive seen many chassing a signal though the trees .

JC

Sundy & Cyclone · Member

Hi have been sort of keeping up with the forum at a "reading" sort of level but travelling/caravanning is not a new adventure to us.

It sounds as though this is a relatively new "adventure" for you & WELL DONE.

Solar panels, we have 3x130 watt panels on the roof of our van plus a 100 watt folding panel as a "back up" for those "less than perfect" days. Have to say though that our fridge is 12/240 volt.

As for TV, "on the roof", i'ts convenient but sometimes it's also problem if your campsite does not give you a clear shot at North, easier sometimes to move the "dish" rather than the 'house".

But then if you are looking for the sun (Solar Power), the "clear shot at Nth" for TV adds a new demension.

Sounds a bit ????????????, not really, it's just a learning curve and what works for us may not ---------- ????????? work 4 U. but we've been doing this for quite a while & appreciate that what works for us, doesn't necessarily work for you.

So, all that might not be clear/help but I'm sure it does add some fuel to the thought process.

Keep it going though & if I can add some input (from a regular remote area traveller), please ask away !!!.

Cheers Sundy

Ron and Shirley · Senior Member

There is a big difference between 2x60w panels and 2x125w panels in terms of how quickly each system will recharge your battery. I assume you have at least a 100Amphr battery.

Sure with panels on the roof you need to have your van in the sun for say the morning to early afternoon, but you can go off leaving your van knowing your panels are secure and charging your battery whilst you are away.

With portable panels, you can park in a shaded area and if the lead is long enough follow the sun all day. However this has the drawback that you need to be there to shift the panels, and it would be wise pack them away if you go off somewhere (hence no charge going to the battery).

As your van is pre wired for solar I would go with the roof option.

Re satTV we dont have one but my understanding is that you need a clear view to the northern sky, so in many bush camps this will mean that your van will be parked well away from trees anyway, as per Sundys comments.

Esmeralda · Guru

Hello and welcome to the newbies. I have a portable 120W panel - just waiting to be used - just getting the connections all sorted - but I made sure I got a longer cable so I can sit in the shade while the panels work in the sun.

Cruising Granny · Guru

Hi and welcome to newbies Nomad 10 and Sundy and Cyclone. Nice of you to join us.
I don't have solar, but if the van is wired for it, you already have half the problem addressed. It would have to be a very dark, dull day to not get some sun input for some time of the day.
I'm guessing you don't have gas option for the fridge.
As for satellite TV, why? Why would you want to be scanning TV channels instead of scanning the country you're travelling through? I know it's about sport mostly, but maybe you could forget about sat TV for a while.
Other than that I have seen a lot of dishes stowed on the back of the van during transit, and then poked around bushes and sites all over the place to get a signal. Good luck with that.
Safe and happy travels to you all.

tezza · Senior Member

Hi and welcome, I've got to agree with Granny. Why would you waste space and weight with a sattellite dish and a television. We often have a smile to ourselves when sitting in some beautiful part of our country a traveller will pull up and after setting up dish they disappear into their van or motorhome to watch TV . They might as well be home in their loungeroom, the view would be the same and they would save a fortune on fuel.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Nomad-10 also Sandy & Cyclone

Solar on the roof is the way to go IMHO it charges while you are travelling, stand alone panels tend to get broken when towed along the road.

Now to that subject of TV, we have a VAST sat system and mrs W would not be without it (she watches a lot of sport and I like to watch the news.)

The first thing I do when we get to a camp site is get out the compass and see where I have a clear nth view then I sat up camp, with no problem for the sat dish.

If you have the right equipment then there is not a problem, you do need to practice the setup, I have seen people take a long time to setup the dish but once you have the know how in your brain it only take about 5 mins to set up the dish and have the TV going, and great digital picture with the VAST sysytem, make sure when you register the VAST system that you state you are a traveller and at the current time do not register in WA as ALL stations are not being transmitted yet, I have mine set up as Victoria.

Have a look at this site for sat tv

http://www.satplus.com.au/categories/Complete-Satellite-Kits/Caravan-Satellite-TV-Kits/Free-To-Air-Portable-Satellite-TV-Kits/

Do not accept their dish that sits on a frame on the floor ask for a dish that sit's on a tripod, a much better option.

Also invest in one of these and you will always find a signal easy.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/3-5-Digital-TV-Satellite-Signal-Finder-Meter-Receiver-/280746700081?pt=AU_PayTVEquipment&hash=item415dcead31

Now for Dazren's comment, sometimes I can be helpful biggrin biggrin biggrin

-- Edited by _wombat_ on Tuesday 31st of January 2012 09:26:03 AM

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Welcome Nomad10 from me and enjoy.

Dunco · Senior Member

I have 2 x 80w panels(2 x 90w batteries) and also an Anderson Plug that charges batteries whilst driving.

And if you like TV, get it. I also have satellite TV on a tripod as you can put it wherever you want. If you have it fitted to the roof and you have to park near a tree, or similar, you won't get the satellite....and you can spend $6000 on something better

Dellalan · Veteran Member

Hi Nomad 10 and welcome.

Reading through the posts above i would have to agree with a lot that has been said. I have two panels on the top of the van and a spare foldup panel for backup. Storage space can sometimes be a problem for the backup. The panels on the roof will charge as you travel.

I prefer the roof mounted panels as they will do the job for the majority of the time for the van and, if needed can drag out the portable panel for the car and Waeco.

I would also suggest going with the portable sat dish. Just gives you more flexibility. And, having only recently set up the Vast system, it is great.

Have fun, Alan

Nomad-10 · Newbie

Hey everybody, thanks heaps for all the advice, still confused but will sift through all the advice and will let you know how I go.

Going to Goombungee (just north of Oakey, QLD) for Easter, but will have a few weekenders before that.

Thanks again. Happy travelling everyone.

golivers travels · Guru

Nomad 10, it is all about personal needs and wants. Yes you can learn so much from this site but it comes down to what you want or need. Sometimes that does not come until you have been out and have had for a few trips. Also what type of camping you intent doing. We have set up for both powered sites and non powered off road camps. It is just what you are comfortable with. Sometimes we will go away for a fortnight and have a powered site and good TV reception. Other times in remote areas with battery power and gennie, and do not worry about TV reception.