Monday, Aug 22, 2005 at 18:18
Tildo,
As Roachie has stated Jimbo has posted various positive results, because he also actually knows how to use his Solar system, he now understands how they work and he also knows of any limitations.
Solar panels only need to be re-positioned every hour or 2 if you want to get 100% charge, and not many people I have ever met in the bush worry at all,
mine sits flat on my vehicle 24/7 and is permanently recharging the Aux batteries; when you get a few cloudy days their output is not seriously compromised because my Solarex panel actually work better in mild cloud cover than in
bright sunlight due to the reduction of panel temperature; They are a fantastic device for charging your batteries because there is no extra fuel to carry or set-up regime to follow and you are not having to look after them all the time from the light fingered folk.
you can be sure they are working all the time with the addition of a decent Solar Regulator with an LCD screen to show you what you have used and what is being produced and going into the Aux batteries....
You run your fridge off the Aux batteries while you're charging them; result is that one large solar panel is probably putting back in AT LEAST the same amount of power the fridge is using, and after all that is all that is required of them.
Do the numbers, I believe Engel uses ~1.8 A/h and cycles on/off, so off time is using no power, and one large panel puts out at least 3.7 Amp continuously for AT LEAST four hours daily, down South, more up North, even if you loose ten amps in 24 hours, how many days will you still have a viable battery system before you go for a drive to get food or
water.
Hypothetically
Fridge draws ~2 amps x 14 hours/day = 28 Amps used.
Panel delivers 4 amps x 6 hours = 24 Amps to the Aux battery daily = 4 Amp loss
Panel delivers 4 amps x 4 hours = 16 Amps to aux battery daily = 12 Amp loss
That’s using only 4 hours of sun, for comparison my panel starts putting power back into the Aux batteries from just after sun-up till almost sun-down, yes the early/late numbers may be smaller but they all add up to often
well in excess of 30 amps daily.
Then you have to consider the problem of
camping in National Parks as Generators are not permitted to be used in them at all, and often when you have to
camp in close to existing campers and they see your genny and ask you not to
camp so close because they are there for the tranquillity... what will you do then to recharge your batteries?
You will get really good sounding advice from all and sundry, however those who have no problems with their solar system will tell you they are terrific and likewise those with a genny will passionately tell you they have the answer, the
places where you
camp may define your choice of a battery charger for the outback.
As you can see there is for and against for both options.
Those without either system are telling you what you already know :-(
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