I would like some help with getting the right size solar panel for my caravan..
.I will be travelling for Two years if not more and want to know what would be my best options...
Cooking mainly by gas and out doors...I have a reverse cycle air conditioner which will be used only when Really needed also a small tv and dvd player and ...usual 1 Satellite mobile phone to recharge ...which can be charged practically any where ...
My Yamaha Generator also 3 battery system Will be on board...
Did I mention...No Shower on Board...Natures own and also No Caravan Parks included...
Depends on the size of your batteries and weather fridge is compressor type or runs on gas
my set up is 400 watts solar 2 of 120 amp/hr batteries cteck dc/dc charger connected to solar panels 2000 watt inverter 240 volt battery charger 3 way fridge we run a coffee machine washing machine vacuum cleaner microwave oven only for short periods must say we only run one thing at a time my first lot of batteries lasted 5 years before we replaced them I carry a generator to run aircon if we need it and to charge other peoples flat batteries who don't have enough solar
Staying away from caravan parks means you are setting your van up to be completely independent, thus your batteries needs to be big enough to handle your anticipated load for at least a couple of days, and preferably three days (caters for miserable weather), you should then size your solar to be able to charge your battery in a single day, or at least close to this. Thus if you have a couple of miserable days, you discharge your battery down as far as you want to go, then you get a good sunny day, it should bring your battery back up to almost full again.
To be able to work this out you need to have some idea as to how much power you are likely to use in a typical day, then use this to size your battery, then work back to how big the solar needs to be.
If I could get you to read a post called "How Much Solar Do We Need", that will give you a simple overview of how to work it out.
The type and size of batteries will add to your weight..
- Typically a 100Ah Lead Acid AGM of any good standard will weigh in at 30-40kg of weight..
- The Capacity of the battery will have to be Halved.. ie a 100Ah battery has a usable capacity of 50Ah..
- You need to size your solar system to cover the type of load you have..
> My personal formula is:
# 200w per 100Ah of Battery for a light load..
# 300w per 100Ah of Medium Load..
90% of All solar system's on people Van's etc, have a system were the Solar is undersized for their actual needs..
Yes I have made a very broad statement.. but I do dare you to prove me wrong..
for your particular system as you are talk'n of having a reverse cycle air-con.. if it's a split system.. and not a typical caravan system then you might be able to power it off the batteries.. if you have enough batteries and solar to recharge them...
- You do not want to run the generator just to keep cool if you can help it..
For anyone to give you a Real answer you need to say exactly what you expect to run [load ] and for how long..
Juergen
__________________
IF I say something Dumb.. Just Smack me..
I'm full of Knowledge.. I don't profess to know EVERYTHING, but I'm constantly Learning new thing's..
Caravan Parks included...
