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Subject Topic: soalr panels Post Reply Post New Topic
21/10/2009 at 8:38pm
 Location: norfolk
 Outfit: swift challerger 540
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Hi everybody back again ,got a Swift 540 Challenger had a 12 watt solar panel left over from when I had an Eldiss Vouge 2 berth 1997 so didnt have to much trouble but now we have upgraded the caravan to a Swift Challeneger 540 more light more elactrical gadgets hence last meet a five day one with no hook up (Im not one for scimping on the use of equipment we  ran the battery down on last day a 110 amp) What i would really like to know if anyone could lighten me on what size of panel i would need to go a five day meet or longer  espcially in the colder months ,dont think summer would be much of a probelum as its not dark or cold as early .It just seems as though the moer you  read the confusing it gets 17 Thanks anyway


21/10/2009 at 8:47pm
 Location: lincolnshire
 Outfit: VW T4 Campervan
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I have been mulling this one over mate

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?moduleno=223250



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21/10/2009 at 9:05pm
 Location: Freckleton Nr Preston
 Outfit: Autotrail Apache 700
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My dad has a small fold out suitcase style solar panel that is hooked up to his 85ah leisure battery in his static (No EHU) this will partially re-charge the battery maybe over a week or so when its empty buy if the van is in use it really doesn't make much difference.

You need to work out what power you need during daylight to re-charge the battery then see if the solar panel will match that requirement, also bear in mind that in winter the sun is lower etc and not as powerful !!

maybe buy a pedal operated generator, that will keep you fit too!!

We used to stay on a non EHU site for 2 weeks and had two batteries, one was usually on charge at the local garage.



21/10/2009 at 9:08pm
 Location: Bristol
 Outfit: Lunar Conquest 544 a
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I use 2 x 40watt solar panels on my roof , i would say 80watts would be the minimum you'd want , but it all depends on what you use in your caravan . Have changed all my caravan lighting to Leds .

See here for panels Click_here . and here http://www.1carpc.co.uk/wcdr/new-page-2.htm

atb

Wizard



21/10/2009 at 9:18pm
 Location: Hampshire
 Outfit: Hymer Nova S
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We have an 85 watt free standing panel, even this can not cope with a run of 5 dull winter days.
If the weather is bright it copes well.
For winter use a free standing panel gives much higher yields that a horizontally mounted one, simply because the sun angle is low, it needs to be at about 50 deg to the ground and you will be kept busy moving it every hour if you are going to get what little energy is available.

Its very hard to replace what you take out of the battery during winter in the UK with a sensibly sized solar panel.


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21/10/2009 at 10:46pm
 Location: lincolnshire
 Outfit: VW T4 Campervan
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Quote: Originally posted by Sproz on 21/10/2009

maybe buy a pedal operated generator, that will keep you fit too!!

We used to stay on a non EHU site for 2 weeks and had two batteries, one was usually on charge at the local garage.


 

 

just found this on another thread brilliant

 

ihttp://www.theglowcompany.co.uk/acatalog/GAZELLE-POWER-PEDAL-GENERATOR.html



21/10/2009 at 10:51pm
 Location: West country
 Outfit: Mondeo
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I put a 10kW installation on a building. I went in in December and it was generating 160W. That's 1.6% of the output. Throughout the year you would get an average of 10%. You will get a lot more in the summer than this time of year. Stronger sun and longer days.

Wizards 80W would probably give 20W for 6 hours which is 120Whr or 10 Amp Hours per day. So your 110AH battery would take 11 days to charge.

BUT you start with a charged battery so you only need to top up for the 5th day as it lasted 4 days and the panel is charging for 5 days. You need 22 Amp Hours and get 50 from the panels over 5 days.

Sounds like you would last 5 or 6 days on Wizards 80A panels. Alternatively get a 2nd battery or a generator.




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