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Subject Topic: Non EHU Post Reply Post New Topic
Personsuandjas
01/10/2013 at 7:13pm
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Hi,We have always gone too sites/rallies with EHU inc now we have changed caravan thinking of trying rallies with no ehu. Got 2 nearly teenagers so got to charge phones,ipods,tablets etc etc also need to run tv on 12v. What size solar panel would we need. Don't want to spend loads of money if not necessary HELP!!!

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Su & Jas


PersonHEJC72
01/10/2013 at 8:04pm
 Location: North Yorkshire
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To run all your lights, water pump etc... on 12v plus charge phones and watch TV for a couple of hours a day, I would say you'd need at least a 60w panel.

I would suggest that you charge phones and iPads before you go away - mine easily lasts a weekend without needing a recharge and definately make sure your caravan battery is fully charged.

I caravan alone and can use my 12v lights (2 small LED strip lights) and charge my phone and iPad via an invertor when not on EHU and I have a 13w suitcase solar panel which does the job of keeping my battery topped up well.



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Helen xx
Mini Mad Mum


PersonGrampian91
01/10/2013 at 8:25pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
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At this time of year a panel will probably produce less than half its rated output and thats a maximum.

Charge them in the car?


PersonThekilpins
01/10/2013 at 8:34pm
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To charge phones, iPads etc if you have a cigarette lighter socket, I would purchase a USB charger (the iPad needs the 2.1amp and phone 1amp outputs) but can be used to charge camera and other things (we have a 4x AA USB charger aswell for torch batteries etc!

I have this one Apple which is good.
Also more efficient than plugging your adaptor into a inverter.


Personsuandjas
01/10/2013 at 8:53pm
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Sorry didn't say its not just gadgets i need to run,but water heater,lights etc(caravan essentials) + all kids gadgets. Thats what i was thinking i would need Helen it's just friends of mine said i would only need around 40w and not to spend too much. Always charge before we go,but we know what kids are like.

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Su & Jas


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PersonThekilpins
01/10/2013 at 9:00pm
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Sorry, my point was to try avoiding an inverter for those kind of items, anything that uses less than a couple of volts of dc electric, you can usually get Cigarette adaptors, where possible switch to led lighting to save power too.

The biggest draw on the betters is anything that heats up!


Personjayc001
01/10/2013 at 9:19pm
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Quote: I would suggest that you charge phones and iPads before you go away - mine easily lasts a weekend without needing a recharge


LOL. A teenagers phone needs charging 2-3 times a day!

I'd go with as big a solar farm as you can afford with 2 pre teenagers. At least 60W but maybe 100W.


Personjeff juke
01/10/2013 at 10:00pm
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Your water heater is gas or 240v it will not heat on 12v.

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Animals have feelings..

JEFF................


Persondianebb72
01/10/2013 at 10:48pm
 Location: North Yorkshire
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we have rallied in the past with different caravans, set up was fridge and water on gas, also used the gas fire when it got too cold (got very toasty), we changed our main usuage lights including the awning light to LEDs and purchased a 12v tv. We used a 60w solar panel that was also good even in the winter months when the sun wasn't as bright. We charged things like phones and tablets via the 12v plug no problems. We got our 60w panel, with regulator and cable for £110 which was the best price we could get it for at the time, which I don't think is too bad when you consider what we spend on our other gadgets etc

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-x- Diane -x-

May 13 - Cala Gogo, St Cyprien (didn't go, hubby too ill to travel)
May 14 Ranc Davaine
August 14 Les Sablons
August 13 - Camping Playa Brava, Pals


Personboff
02/10/2013 at 7:13am
 Location: N Wales
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Depends on how long you are going for. For a weekend you shouldn't have a problem. Just switch the TV off occasionally!   We had a 40w solar panel that coped in the winter. We now have a 135w fixed to the roof. I would consider the physical size of a panel if you are going to use a free standing panel.

Also make sure you always have a spare gas bottle with you,


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Persontimtheenchanter
02/10/2013 at 8:31am
 Location: Yeadon Leeds!
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depends on how long you go for, and how much TV you are going to watch.
I currently don't have a panel (unless you count my 4W panel )

we use the normal van stuff, radio/CD for a good few hours a day, charge my phone every night, tablet, and the wifes phone just about all day. we can easily manage 3 days even in winder with a decent 110AHr battery. even the hair straighteners once or twice on the inverter (approx 70W)

The solar panel is there to delay the discharge, not stop it completely. LED TVs use very little power


PersonGrampian91
02/10/2013 at 11:48am
 Location: Midlands
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We had 2 weeks with no hookup in Auguat.

As mentioned inverters are not efficient at all. Probably about 60%.

Water heater uses gas with only a small amount of power for the circuitboard. So dont leave it on 24/7.

If you get a day like today thats as dull as anything here your 40w panel will be lucky to provide 4watts.

How many amps does your TV use and how many hours will you be watching it?


Personsuandjas
02/10/2013 at 4:26pm
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Hi all thanks for replies!!!
All lights in van & Awning are LEDs, tv is also 240 or 12v would only be a couple of hours in the evening.Only thinking of weekends at first,but who knows later on.
On one hand don't want to spend a small fortune if don't need to also don't want to buy something that won't work for us. Am still confused The battery in van is 85A do i need a 110A?
Was hoping there were some families on here who do non ehu who would enlighten me pardon the pun   

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Su & Jas


PersonAgent 8
02/10/2013 at 11:01pm
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Hi,
We only use CLs and have never used EHU in 30+ years caravaning. Our old van would go 1 week on a 85 amp battery but our Sprite Alpine only lasts 4 days. The drain was the fridge which needs 8amps of 12v power per day to run on gas and the halogen lights. Changed lights to LEDs and bought a 80watt solar panel after working out maximum usage. Now we never have to worry about draining the battery it is always fully charged when the light fades.

Last year we spent a week in July and it rained constantly, we never saw the sun and the battery was kept fully charge even with lots of TV, radio and CD playing.

I have now replaced the battery with 100amp as the old one was 7 years old.

I bought the panel via eBay and it cost £160 in 2010. Today a 80watt panel costs £90



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