Hi all, my wife and l are nearing retirement and have started looking at caravans to purchase. We plan to do a few short trips of 1 or 2 months at a time per year. We have looked at a number of vans and tend to get differing advice from dealers. My guess is that it is best to talk to those who are actually in amongst it.
My first query relates to solar panels and batteries. Is it best to have two of each or is one of each sufficient?
G'day sleepy welcome to the forum, with regard to your question regarding solar panels and batteries it's very much related to the type of caravanning you plan to do, if like me where it's mostly caravan park I have one battery and led lighting and I will leave it to others to advise regarding free camping.
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Welcome to the gang Sleepy, enjoy here and out in the playground.
Solar Power? Mmmm, well, it all depends how much power you think you will use. If you are running a compressor fridge, i.e. 12v all the time, more the better really, maybe 2x150w panels and 2x120ah batteries minimum IMO. If you are in CVP only then a 240v fridge needs no solar. Make sure all 12v cable is plenty thick enough, like 6B&S from panels etc to batteries.
May I suggest you take a look at the Solar sub section in "Techies Corner", great info in there from knowledgable people " out here " in the playground.
keep Safe on the roads.
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Thank you aussitraveller and Dougwe for your info it has been helpful. And thank you for the welcome, ballast2 included. Sorry for the delayed reply but l have no home internet so l have resorted to my little mobile.
If looking at second hand- make sure you see the three way fridge working and check the oven grill and cooktop work- I got duped when I bought my 1980 viscount but I do like the van anyway. Good luck with your search, there are some great vans out on the roads.
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I have decided to go with the dual solar and battery. Hope to do a fair bit of free camping so better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.
Sleepy
-- Edited by Sleepy on Monday 22nd of February 2016 12:58:37 PM
