solar panel watts
Submitted: Sunday, Aug 16, 2009 at 22:25
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Member - Duane A (WA)
G-day any solar Gurus out there answer a question for me if i had 4 x 50 watt Amphous panels on a basic caravan set up would 2 x 120 amp batteries be the go or 3 x 120 amp batteries any imput welcomed.
Reply By: Kiwi100 - Sunday, Aug 16, 2009 at 22:31
Sunday, Aug 16, 2009 at 22:31
It's important to be able to get your batteries fully charged - 200W is probably better suited to two batteries.
We have four 125W panels to keep three 120ah batteries in good shape.
Michael
AnswerID:
379267
Follow Up By: Member - Duane A (WA) - Sunday, Aug 16, 2009 at 22:38
Sunday, Aug 16, 2009 at 22:38
what is the longest time you have gone self sufficient on the panels before you have to boost the batteries?
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Follow Up By: Kiwi100 - Monday, Aug 17, 2009 at 10:26
Monday, Aug 17, 2009 at 10:26
We've gone for weeks without being connected to a power supply. But, depending on all the variables of tree shade, cloudy days and sometimes heavy demand from hours of
satellite TV, lights, stereo, pumps, etc, will run the generator from time to time to give the batteries a bit of a top-up from the three-stage charger.
I understand that it's good for battery health to hook them up to a three-stage mains charger every week or so.
I'd be concerned that your 200W of solar might struggle to keep three batteries happy, but that depends on how much power you are drawing. You're better off if you're generating more power than you can store, rather than vice versa.
Michael
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Reply By: Mandrake - Monday, Aug 17, 2009 at 09:52
Monday, Aug 17, 2009 at 09:52
There's a simple spreadsheet calculator in the members fileswap area which
will answer your question fairly accurately ..
Just fill in the green cells with battery and solar panel info and you'll
see if it will charge or not -
Second one down
Rgds
Mandrake
AnswerID:
379292
Follow Up By: Member - Duane A (WA) - Monday, Aug 17, 2009 at 10:24
Monday, Aug 17, 2009 at 10:24
Thanks for that mate ill give that a go see what i come up with cheers.
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646657
Reply By: Member - michael H (NSW) - Tuesday, Aug 18, 2009 at 14:11
Tuesday, Aug 18, 2009 at 14:11
Hi Duanne,
With 2 x 200 amp batteries 3 weeks last December NSW South Coast Set up in shade moving 2 x 64 watt unisolar panels out into sunlight, running a 60l and a 42l evakool fridges as fridge and freezer, primus hot
water heater some leds in camper and a Versalite light over table just outside camper and a evakool light (yellow one?) above kitchen area.
Kids also had small 12v t.v and dvd player going just before bed time.
We then packed up
camp and stayed for another week outside the inlaws for but only used the 60l fridge as most of the food was eaten.
P.S Took away enough meat frozen for the 3 weeks worth cryovacked (sp) from butcher but took some home because we caught fish :-)
Cheers Michael
Re the Quad Bike Thanks for the photos but will probably go on top with ramps. My car couldn't take the weight I don't think.
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