help with solar

Sorry...Engel...I have been typing all day and my fingers don't want to play anymore :)

Thanks Herbal. At last an answer on solar humans can understand.

Skull

Thanks Skull...

You had me worried for a sec...when I saw the email telling me there was a follow-up, I thought 'oh no a tecno natsy is attacking my LiFePo4 comment'...

But I still think one of them will be along soon to tell us all about how fantastic AGM batteries are :)

I will throw a brew in the Engel for ya mate...so if we ever meet there will be a cold one ready for ya :)

Sorry but a 120 watt panel will not produce 10 amps. Maximum current output is at open circuit vlotage which is usually about 17 volts. So the calculation is out by a lot.

Additionally, maximum output is in ideal conditions, full sun, perfect angle etc.

If you use 120 watt divided by 12 (volts) divided by half (efficiency) x 4 (hours of good sun) you will get a reasonable estimate of daily current output.

That is dis-tar-pointing...I was expecting a LiFePo4 attack :)

Anyway, thanks for the input John and Regina...I stand corrected...

My math to work out that a perfect sized AGM battery connected to a 120 watt solar panel to run a 60 litre Engel fridge is 100 amp hour...is wrong!

Yep, I stand corrected...A 100 amp hour AGM will NOT run a 60 litre Engel fridge when being charged by a 120 watt solar panel :)

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See Skull? I told ya so !

Here we go again. Shaun asked what size battery he needed. Obviously an AAA would be too small and a bank of six 120 AH would be overkill.

Without the gobbledygook, depends where you are, what angle your kloaka is to the sun or how thick your wires are - what is the answer?

So far I'm hearing 100 AH.

Don't get me wrong. A 110 ah battery will run the Engel. How long depends on what it recharging it. Just solar? Solar plus car? Engel on freeze? Never opened?

Perhaps more info required as to the actual scenario.

John or Regina,

Surely it doesn't need to be this difficult? If I am building a house, the various codes will tell the trades how big the wires and pipes need to be. I would never have to work it out for myself.

If I am trying to put together a caravan or camper trailer for use in Australia (avoiding southern Tassy in winter and Darwin in November), how big would my battery/solar system need to be?

If I only carry enough water for 5 days free camping, then I can only stay in one place for 5 days without re-charging from the vehicle. You can't use a generator everywhere so that only needs to be a bonus-back-up.

If someone actually suggested a ratio of battery/solar per day assuming say a small radio, 40l fridge and a couple of LEDs to last for 5 days, that would interest a lot of people. If someone wants to run a bigger fridge or something extra, they can spend a bit more on battery and or solar. Yes, if the weather is cr@p solar can't be relied on.

Is there a simple rule of thumb? No one is going to sue if you get it wrong.

Herbal had a go and I agree with it. 120 panel, 120 ah battery (sorry Herbal) will run a fridge and some cooking lights in most places that you would comfortably camp. Run more or get some cloudy weather - go bigger or go home early.

I'm not saying my figures are right. I just wish someone would give a simple guideline (yes, or post a link to something I haven't read).

Skull

I have lost my internet for now...So I am now using my mobile phone as a modem...

The OP asked a simple question. He (or she) was given a simple answer. There is nothing wrong with the math that I used.

The main competitor to Engel, Waeco offer at retail level a 40AH battery pack to run fridges ! ARE THEY WRONG ?????

No one cares about your techno gooblygook....You are not applying for a job! Shaun asked what size battery and what type. The answer remains that a 100 AH battery will be just perfect for the job. When and if Shaun goes in search of such battery, he (or she) will find many brands and makes around that figure. Some will be 105AH and some will be 110AH and others 120AH.

The OP like me and most other members do not give a flying rats bum about your techno "what ifs" and "depends on"...and if you think we do...then you need a new hobby !!!

If you cannot give a simple and understandable answer to some one not trained in your field...then you are not trained in your field !!

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Interesting point Skull...Do you think if I angled the dangle of my koala to be perplexed by the radius of the dongle of my dingo and cambered to the carriage of my kanga, I might get .0003675 watts more out of my 10 watt garage solar set up?

I have just put another brew in the Engel for Skull...Soon there wont be any room for my beer :)

thanks for that mate

atm i just looking at a solar setup similar to this so more help the better cheers

Another vote for Bit Deals. I have a 120 w folding jobbie and couldn't be happier. Well, I could but can't share how on this forum.
Skull

I thought their product is alright. However, after receiving their product, I questioned them regarding their MPPT controller. Their listing state that they guarantee output more than the actual stated output. Amazing. And then I went on to test the panel. Somehow the output was around 15% less. Sent them a message and was treated like an idiot. They eventually sent me a graph showing me that it is normal in winter to get less output even when your solar is facing the sun directly. I am going to do another test since its freaking hot down here now and hopefully they are right. But one thing I have learned is not to deal with them ever again. They were so rude and simply said that I didn't know anything and just send the product back for a refund. Hate how online store treat their customers nowdays.

can ya link me one of those battery's you are talking about

Hi Shaun,
Not sure how to post a link, just google Thumper Battery. Made in SA and a good bot of kit. Have taken ours around Australia and on many camping trips with absolutely no issues. They are portable as well. Larger sizes are heavy and not what I would say as portable - too heavy.

You want to check out fullriver battery. they are pretty popular. have heaps of different sizes too.

tazbaz, I agree, hay guys are American hay farmers to me. That is if you call everyone guys, which are actually the wires holding your TV antennae up straight.

Ball Parks are very small and they keep hitting the Bl%$dy thing outside all the time.
What does Aussie mean?
I got a solar panel is now, I gotten a solar panel. I wonder if it is "ill gotten".
Invasion by the Septics isn't needed, the brain washing is complete.

G'day Ross M
Good to see there are a few patriots out there like yourself not wanting an invasion of the septics and their awful lingo and disrespect for english grammar- not to mention their disgusting food and their view that they are the world police. On the other hand , in my experience the septics are ok as individuals. Just like the human race in that regard.
I met a septic rocket scientist a few years ago. Nice bloke. He lived in Flarida/Florida but did not know where the Tropic of Cancer was!! Would you believe it?

Shaun,
A bit more info may help.
What type of camping are you doing - camper trailer, tent, caravan etc.?
Is the battery to be permanent in your car or do you want something portable? Where will the solar panels be?

Shaun, here is a link to a battery
AGM battery link

Supplier is Autolecau and I have used them a few times before and can recommend them. Also free postage.


160 Watt folding solar panel
This is from Bit Deals and is a complete unit including MPPT regulator.
Very reputable mob to deal with is Bit Deals.

All you need then is some 6mm wire (red, black and double insulated) to hook the panels up to the battery, about 5 metres so that you can move the panels around to follow the sun and an anderson plug for each end and one for the solar panel, also you will need some way to terminate the lead onto the battery. Bit deals has a deal going on at the moment with Anderson plugs so you could get them there as well.

The wire you can get from ABR Sidewinder who is as good as the best on price and delivery and Derrick is also a business member here at ExplorOz. He also trades on Ebay and I can recommend him whichever way you do it.

Note the only negative with folding panels is that you cannot leave them out and set up, then go away somewhere as someone else will have them off you.

As you have not mentioned what you have re camping facility, eg van, motorhome, tent, camper trailer we cannot hone our replies any tighter than this.

Cheers, Bruce.

will be doing with camper trailer

Try this Fullriver agm deep cycle

https://www.toughland.com.au/batteries.html

60Amps should be sufficient for camper trailer. they do free delivery too