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Subject Topic: 2 Batteries or 1 Battery+Solar Panel ?? Post Reply Post New Topic
06/3/2010 at 6:11pm
 Location: Kent
 Outfit: Cabanon Antigua & Relum Canaria
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Following decision to ditch the caravan for canvas again, i now need to sort out power required.
We are looking to avoid EHU, but hoping to run a small TV (approx 2amp per hour) & a flluorescant tube light. I'm estimating no more than 10amp per day power consumption.

Most of our trips are for 7 nights with occasional 14nighter.

For 7nights i believe an 85ah bettery will suffice, but my question is, will the 13w solar panel in a briefcase be enough to extend the life of the 85ah battery over 2 weeks, or will i have no choice but to buy a second battery ??

Your advice appreciated


On a side note, is it acceptable to ask a warden or fellow camper (on EHU) to allow us to charge our battery. We obviously have our own charger & would happily pay a fee. ... Just need a socket to plug it into

Post last edited on 06/03/2010 18:51:16


06/3/2010 at 8:01pm
 Location: central scotland
 Outfit: aztec cantera 9 vango tamor500 vango
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I doubt if the solar charger will extend your battery life to two weeks. Why not buy a bigger battery, rather than carry two. You could also fit a split charge relay to your car to allow you to charge your leisure battery when you are driving around. I do not know if it is acceptable to ask for a charge from another camper, but I know if I was approached pleasantly enough I would allow it.

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.........
John


06/3/2010 at 8:36pm
 Location: Kent
 Outfit: Cabanon Antigua & Relum Canaria
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Thanks for your response. Yes a bigger battery is an option, but i'm not keen lugging a 110ah battery in & out of car unless last resort & i'm not convinced that it would last 2 weeks either.

I had considered charging when driving but
a) I dont really want to have to keep taking battery back & forth to car
b) I try not to do to much mileage whilst at destination, so doubtful enough charge would be generated.

For the sake of one charge a week it does seem a lot of hassle.

I would happily pay for 24hr EHU, but chances are i would have to move pitches which is also not ideal.


07/3/2010 at 10:45am
 Location: Cheshire
 Outfit: Pennine Pullman & Cabanon Tent
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hi my solar panel does the job


07/3/2010 at 11:07am
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I agree that you'll struggle to keep the battery charged with a small 13w panel. If you were in the tropics you might manage it, but with unreliable British sun, your panel might only generate 1/10 of its rated capacity and then you're going to be running short well before the 14th day.


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07/3/2010 at 12:45pm
 Location: north east lincs
 Outfit: Dandy 6
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quote
On a side note, is it acceptable to ask a warden or fellow camper (on EHU) to allow us to charge our battery. We obviously have our own charger & would happily pay a fee. ... Just need a socket to plug it into

interesting question that, personally i would have no problem with doing it but how long would you need to charge it if you where only doing it once after seven days?
i overcame the problem by having the battery secured in my car boot and a ext lead from one of my twin sockets to my caravan,then even the shortest run from day one puts some charge in and you don't have to move the battery every time you go out.

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they said it couldnt be done so i left it and went camping

a bad days camping is better than a good day at work


07/3/2010 at 12:56pm
 Location: north east lincs
 Outfit: Dandy 6
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this page may help

http://www.fuelcellmarkets.com/cpi/products_and_services/3,1,7855,17,28343.html

sorry its a copy and paste job.

mike

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they said it couldnt be done so i left it and went camping

a bad days camping is better than a good day at work


07/3/2010 at 3:53pm
 Location: Worcestershire
 Outfit: Defender 90 and MyWay Voyager Raid
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Cut and pasted for you!

What a nice guy I am!

-------------
Love a lot. Trust a few. But ALWAYS paddle your own canoe!!
Minds are like parachutes:- They only function when they are open!!!
Those who talk don't know.
Those who know don't talk.


07/3/2010 at 4:23pm
 Location: Kent
 Outfit: Cabanon Antigua & Relum Canaria
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Quote: Originally posted by mike.wilkinson on 07/3/2010quote
On a side note, is it acceptable to ask a warden or fellow camper (on EHU) to allow us to charge our battery. We obviously have our own charger & would happily pay a fee. ... Just need a socket to plug it into

interesting question that, personally i would have no problem with doing it but how long would you need to charge it if you where only doing it once after seven days?
i overcame the problem by having the battery secured in my car boot and a ext lead from one of my twin sockets to my caravan,then even the shortest run from day one puts some charge in and you don't have to move the battery every time you go out.


I will have a 16amp charger, & according to instructions takes approx 13 hours to fully charge. I would ideally look to leave with warden or whomever willing over a 24hour period, but can be less if preferred.


07/3/2010 at 4:46pm
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Quote: Originally posted by mike.wilkinson on 07/3/2010i overcame the problem by having the battery secured in my car boot and a ext lead from one of my twin sockets to my caravan,then even the shortest run from day one puts some charge in and you don't have to move the battery every time you go out.

Cheers, Mike. I was thinking of doing something like that myself - it's great to hear that it works well. We've been resisting getting an EHU as it would preclude to many sites that we really want to visit and this seems a great way around the problem.

Personally, I'd love to get a beast of a solar panel but they're just so darn expensive...

The fuel cell looks über-cool...but no price tag. Dare I even ask?


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11/3/2010 at 7:31am
 Location: Somerset
 Outfit: Vango Orchy 500
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Quote: Originally posted by tentage on 07/3/2010
The fuel cell looks über-cool...but no price tag. Dare I even ask?


Couldn't find the same model, but I did find these:

Clicky


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Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup!


11/3/2010 at 10:39am
 Location: St ALBANS
 Outfit: Riva(Dandy) Destiny. Peugeot 5008
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If you are charging a battery from the mains you will use approx 1/2 to 1 amp max. So the cost will be approx 20-50 P in electricity.  This makes the cost of buying fuel cells, solar panels etc seem rather expensive.

Regards all, Bob.




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