Increasing solar panel or adding battery? Which would work better?

Thanks Ivan,
We are travelling away in a couple of weeks and will be taking the generator with us just in case, we will then take stock of usage then.
William

I second that, no TV or lights there either. You have to over cater for the expected load and then allow more still, to make up for the days that don't yield much from the light in the sky.
I agree with the minimum. 240w 200 ah.
If recharging from a generator it can't be from the 12v charge port either and has to be via a battery charger powered from the 240v output of the generator.

The piddly 12v charge would have you running the genny all day, every day, in an attempt to bring the batteries up in charge but it will never make it from that 12v recepticle.

That's a good point Gronk about the rain.
It looks like another battery and wiring in the portables via a plug to the controller.
It looks like the gennie will have to travel with us for insurance.
William

Av peak sun hours can be misleading. It can be as low as 1.5 - 2 depending on season and location.
Map

hi
peak sun hour map
http://www.rpc.com.au/pdf/Solar_Radiation_Figures.pdf
eg low 3hrs thru 7.5 hr high
low = southern Tazzy
High = northern Ozzy

Flexible like a blanket style or smaller poly-crystalline units wired together and folded like a map ?

For compactness a folding has its benefits of space saving the down side is can only really be left flat on ground or bonnet.

This is Ok middle of summer but winter panels for optimum sun rays need closer to 50 degree mark, and next to impossible to hold at that angle add wind may make them parasailign devices as well.

After reading a compare/test session results in a caravan magazine the good old foldable (suitcase) panels are still one of the best preforming units around - two reasons

A: can be angled to correct angle for optimum sun angle - you can get a smart phone app which calculates this out

B: if your having a bludge day and sitting back relaxing can move panels and follow the sun from mid morning until late afternoon.

Adding a 2nd battery giving 200ah (ish) is a good idea as long as within weights of caravan

Not sure i like the idea of a inverter being used for cpap machine - maybe a direct voltage convertor is better option but they usually designed for volt step down not volt step up

Hi Dean K3,

These are the sort of flexible panel I was looking at, flexible panels "flexible" they describe them as.

They look a bit more rigid then the fold up type, and should be able to stand up against a wall or table.

They only weigh 2.2 kilos instead of 25 kilos which is where their advantage would be, especially if I have to install a second battery.

William

William,

RTM(road track marine) has flexible panels, but the backing is quite rigid. Might be the way to go?

Bob

Hi Bob,
That's the sort of thing I was thinking of.
William

Understand a bit better now, my initial thoughts of where to place them esp at angle and keeping at that angle still apply, and probably have a greater chance of becoming a para-sail as they so light

One thing I would not do -is mount them permanently on any roof

I read recently (another forum page/fb ?) somebody decided to glue them onto caravan roof as it saved weight etc - same things your after.

After awhile glue perished panel went flying off and became part of the modern day roadside litter only to be discovered after a days drive.

A: can be angled to correct angle for optimum sun angle - you can get a smart phone app which calculates this out

You don't need a smartphone app for that. Just turn your panels so the shadow falls directly behind them. Then adjust the tilt so the shadow is as long as possible.

However there are useful apps that show what the sun's path will be during the day. If you are seeking max solar you can use these to help select the best camp site.

Cheers