Solar panels
Submitted: Thursday, Dec 20, 2007 at 16:42
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REV'S
We are having a slide on camper constructed at the moment with intentions of fitting 2} 64 watt Amorphous solar panels. The majority of our time will be spent in hot areas Deserts, the
Kimberley ect. We can't decide on weather to go for the framed units or the stick ons. The panels will be used to keep the power up to 2] 70amp hr batteries which are used to run a 120ltr Vitrofrigo fridge, led lights and
water pump and possibly a small TV in the future. The vehicle and batteries are charged by a Rotronics 3 stage charge/ isolator when moving. Are there advantages and disadvantages with these units besides weight.
All help appreciated Maryanne
Reply By: MEMBER - Darian (SA) - Thursday, Dec 20, 2007 at 17:04
Thursday, Dec 20, 2007 at 17:04
As a side issue, I've lately been considering the merit in having at least one decent panel unmounted - so that when the situation is less than ideal for picking up the sun, you could have a bi-fold or similar to position ideally near the vehicle. The rough-roads type caravan I'm looking at often comes with 3 x 130W panels on the roof - thinking about two, plus a 100W bifold in a carry case, that can be placed anywhere. From info I've seen, it seems that panels flat on a vehicle roof are always going to be significantly compromised - they are never positioned ideally.
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Follow Up By: Crackles - Thursday, Dec 20, 2007 at 18:30
Thursday, Dec 20, 2007 at 18:30
Good advice Darian. The 1st place one parks their caravan is in the shade when available so you'd be compromising the available power straight away. When WA Solar fitted panels to our van they secured them to an alloy frame with window locks and had 10m of wire so the panel could be moved into the sun on the correct angle when required.
Cheers Craig..........
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Follow Up By: Member -NIFFTY (WA) - Thursday, Dec 20, 2007 at 18:56
Thursday, Dec 20, 2007 at 18:56
Crackles do you have any mounting photos as Im looking at mounting 2 panels to the trailer roof and am looking for any good ideas.
Cheers Niftty
GQ HQ
Perth
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Thursday, Dec 20, 2007 at 22:24
Thursday, Dec 20, 2007 at 22:24
Hi Darian
It depends whether you are going to spend most of your time travelling from place to place, or whether you plan to stop in one place for a holiday. We used an 80 w solar panel mounted on a stand with our previous caravan. As we were usually on the move, it only went out when we stopped to
camp. It was still very effective, even when only getting the late afternoon and early morning sun. We now have it on the canopy roof on the F250, and it is charging all day when we travel. Huge difference.
Motherhen
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Follow Up By: Crackles - Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 15:45
Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 15:45
Sorry Nifty, no photo's & the old man has the van at present. Basically the mounting bracket is a piece of U shaped Aluminium on it's side at one end with L shaped aluminium on the other 3 sides.(Like a picture frame) The panel is slipped into the U with a window slide lock securing the other end. The Al frame is just pop rivited to the roof of the van. Can send photo's later if not in a hurry.
How much charge one gets in the shade will depend on the type of panel but many are lucky to put in 10%, in which case being able to shift them would be pretty imortant when base
camping.
Cheers Craig............
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Follow Up By: Member -NIFFTY (WA) - Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 16:13
Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 16:13
Thanks crackles
A couple of photos later would be good. I kind of get the idea but a proven design would save me a lot of time.I could even drop over and have a look at some stage.Im in Bassendean.
Cheers Niffty.
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Follow Up By: Crackles - Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 16:43
Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 16:43
Along way to drop over as I live in Victoria but I will post the photos later :-) Brother works at WA solar & did the install.
Cheers Craig........
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Follow Up By: Member -NIFFTY (WA) - Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 16:49
Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 16:49
Yes that's the problem with making assumptions.WA solar is not far away though.I will wait for the photos.
Cheers Niffty
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Reply By: snailbait (Blue mntns) - Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 14:42
Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 14:42
Rev's
I had a lot of trouble trying to decide what type and what's what's so we went to a solar
shop not a 4WD
shop advised what we are using and came away with a packaged that was small and compact and with lots of advise like i have 13 metres of cable to put at the panels with out any loss of volts ,
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Reply By: Member - Mainey (wa) - Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 16:04
Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 16:04
Rev's
Go to a SOLAR supplier as stated above for expert (hopefully unbiased) advice.
You have to be aware of the Amps you are/will be using in the future to know how many Amps you need to replace, it just can't be guessed at.
The idea of a separate panel to place in the sun is a terrific, I thought so also and set up my system with the ability to move one of my panels into the sun with a 10 Metre extension cable.
I've not used it in 12 years for anything other than testing.
(I was going to add-> "but for any-one using a low performance Solar system with a small capacity power supply then it's a very, very good idea, typed with a smile" but then changed my mind to avoid hurting the feelings of those with no real sense of humour L0L)
A Solar panel will not charge an Auxiliary battery while the vehicle is moving, the Alternator does that with-out hassles.
If you want to use Unisolar panels then use the framed units.
As you asked, the disadvantage of a 64 Watt Unisolar panel is it's large physical size compared to other panels of similar performance, eg. <4 Amps.
64 Watts - Rated Power
16.5 Volts - Voltage Max
3.88 Amps - Current Max
1366 x 741 mm - Dimensions
9.17 kg - Weight
The 'numbers' quoted by Unisolar (and yes ALL Solar suppliers) are the MAXIMUM attainable when tested in a laboratory, in ideal conditions, and not the reasonable average number you will get constantly on a day to day use.
A major concern would also be the capabilities of the Solar regulator !!
Look at the Solar systems used by other travellers and see their layout and relevant performance numbers attainable for yourself, before making the commitment, just to be sure.
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