Solar set-up quickie
Submitted: Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 01:32
ThreadID:
53732
Views:
4384
Replies:
11
FollowUps:
12
This Thread has been Archived
Member - Barnesy (SA)
Gday, have done an archive search and I'm pretty sure the solar set up I'm thinking of will do the job. Any other advice appreciated please before I
fork out my hard-earned.
Will a BP 100w (2 X 50w) solar panel be sufficient to power my 40 litre Engel, fluoro light, occasioanl dvd etc, running through an 80 amp/hour lifeline AGM? I'm really after a system that will power itself independently for long-term stays.
I've tried calculating watt/hours etc but interested in other people experiences too.
Thanks
Barnesy
Reply By: Member - Uncle (NSW) - Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 07:20
Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 07:20
Hi there Barnesy, we have had our camper up for the last 2 weeks in Jodie's mum's back paddock at the
farm. Getting ready for our trip next month, I wanted to make sure all was
well and up to scratch so we have had the TV running for 3 to 4 hrs a night along with ARB fluro lights.
I bought one of Derek's twin panel set ups a while back and I can say it works very
well for our needs. I have 3 Aux batts all up so I just rotate the panels between them when they need it. We wont be watching much TV when we are away but I used the TV as another drain source on the batteries besides the 60 litre Evakool fridge. I prefer these panels, to fixed ones as Jodie can keep them "following the sun" while I'm out detecting. Hope this helps out a bit cheers Unc.!MPG:110!
AnswerID:
282835
Reply By: Axel [ the real one ] - Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 16:56
Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 16:56
How long is a "day" ?? To give a definative answer to your question is almost impossible due to the many variances in fridge use and actual sunlight but can give you an example of usage , we run a 80lt Waeco as fridge and freezer [freezer at -18c ] and a 15lt Engle at 3c ,,,, 1x 125w Kycera + 1x 64w Unisolar panels that in "perfect" conditions will produce 12amp per hr ,, a little thing called peak sun hrs comes into play ,, peak hrs x 12 = an average [ for our set up and area ] of only 72 amps per day ,[ remember this is variable + and - ] , now I know that our Waeco uses on average 64amp hrs per 24 hrs and the Engle uses 42 amp hrs per 24hrs ,,,, 64 + 42 = 106 per 24 hrs ,, end with a deficit of 34amp per 24hrs ,
AnswerID:
282912
Follow Up By: normo - Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 17:14
Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 17:14
By your calculations your Engel fridge must be running for an average of 42mins per hour.
FollowupID:
547427
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 19:11
Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 19:11
Barnsey,
I reckon the 100 watt solar panel will perform admirably, unless you have some very dark days indeed.
It is fairly hard to calculate watts used, etc. as the variables are too great. Experience is the best guide.
I use 1 x 40 watt BP panel on a 75Ah Thumper and have run my 40 litre Engel "continuously" for three days and the battery system still showed "charged". I also run a couple of lights for a few hours of an evening when camping.
In full sunlight the 40 watt panel is outputting around 2.5 amps, continously for several hours per day.
I have the option of adding a second panel (80 watts all up) if I need it, but I just haven't found the need.
The Engel cycles on and off so it is not drawing the full amount of amps (about 2.7 max) all the time.
Maybe my experience will "bite me on the bum" come the National Gathering in July, but I also have the backup of the auxiliary battery in the Jack and the ability to charge all batteries while travelling, so I'm pretty comfortable.
If I find insufficient sunlight is affecting the charging capacity to any great degree, then I may purchase another panel.
My thoughts are, you would be very unlikely to require more than a 100 watt panel to feel comfortable.
AnswerID:
282939
Follow Up By: Member - Barnesy (SA) - Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 20:02
Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 20:02
There are a lot of variables in calculating watts/hour etc. That is why I'm asking for people's experiences.
It is looking like the 100w panels will just about do the job given I am wary of varying conditions. But I can't be too extravagant with my power usage.
Barnesy
FollowupID:
547508
Reply By: Mogul - Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 20:17
Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 20:17
Barnesy,
I spent 3 months researching our set up before buying.
What I found was that everyone will tell you something different about how their setup works and why it is better than everyone else's.
All I can suggest is the following:
1. Don't skimp on your calculations, use the worst case scenario and then add 10% extra.
2. Take into account that there may be 3 or 4 days with basically no input due to inclement weather.
3. Consider mounting to roof of car rather than carrying around in the back where they could easily be damaged.
4. Buy tried and proven gear.
5. By buying a bigger panel than you need there will be less "sun chasing" throughout the day.
I have a 123W Sharp panel, connected to a 120AH battery through a 20A powertech regulator.
The best I have achieved from the panel moving it 3 or 4 times a day has been 58AH (8.00am to 6.30pm, no clouds), average 35AH to 45AH. During days of no sun lucky to get 10AH on some days.
AnswerID:
282957
Follow Up By: Mainey (wa) - Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 20:40
Monday, Jan 21, 2008 at 20:40
2. With a larger battery capacity, (example only) 200ah instead of 100ah, you can get away with the few days of NO SUN, but [some]solar panels don't require 'direct' sunshine to work, they will work in inclement weather with clouds.
3. Best idea (IMO)
4. For sure
5. makes for a Holiday with-out shifting panels etc.
Mainey...
FollowupID:
547520
Reply By: Ron173 - Tuesday, Jan 22, 2008 at 12:09
Tuesday, Jan 22, 2008 at 12:09
Barnsey,
I'm with sandman above here.
People will tell you this that etc, and its true buy the biggest you can afford, however..
Reality is more than paper calculations, and what works and what doesnt.
Some panels despite wattage, function more consistently than others, and some need full sun whilst others dont.
I use a 60w Kyocera, on a 120AH battery, running a 40ltr Engel as a fridge around 1 deg, never had it run out on me yet, I have also done 3 consequetive cloudy days and it was still maintaining 30%, I got full sun on 4th day which totally recharged it.
I do move it about 3 times a day to follow sun, and on most days its showing fully charged by 11am.
As said, so many variables, its almost impossible to work out accurately on paper, you might get a rough idea but field trials beat paper calculations.
Also I find ambient temp whilst a factor, doesnt affect me much, as if its 40 deg, yes fridge running more, but generally if its 40deg, panel is in full sun and is putting out max too.
Just my experience like you asked.
Ron
AnswerID:
283093
Follow Up By: Member - Barnesy (SA) - Tuesday, Jan 22, 2008 at 18:21
Tuesday, Jan 22, 2008 at 18:21
Thanks Ron.
FollowupID:
547748