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Author Topic: 12v power.  (Read 9975 times)

Offline GedsJeep

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Re: 12v power.
« Reply #15 on: July 18, 2015, 10:31:25 PM »
depends where you are in west cornwall....

i know a few places you dont want to sink into...... ::)
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Offline julesandtash

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Re: 12v power.
« Reply #16 on: August 02, 2015, 12:36:58 PM »
I have been at a local festival all weekend with the caravan and no hookup. I have a 100watt semi flexible panel glued flat on the roof of the caravan and a 110Ahr battery.
We have had a big 12v coolbox plugged in from about 9am to 7pm  (peltier based one). Also had the LED caravan lighting, water pump, toilet flush and phone&tablet chargers in use.
As of now the solar controller is still showing green for battery state so plenty of charge. Its a marine grade panel,around £120 for a 100W panel and £20 for the 30A charge controller but works really well.
Battery was on float charge for 8 months when the caravan was not in use and has been as good as new.
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Offline Tony

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Re: 12v power.
« Reply #17 on: August 02, 2015, 07:39:08 PM »
That's definitely the way to do it :)  Love the idea of flexi panel across the roof, but we go camping so it's folding solar.  Something intrinsically satisfying about some clever technology giving you all the free energy you need.
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Offline therecklessengineer

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Re: 12v power.
« Reply #18 on: August 02, 2015, 08:14:55 PM »
Funny this should crop up.

I've been looking at systems for the van. Not really so much because I need it, but I would like a system whereby I can get electricity without relying on the grid or fuel.

Currently, the van has 3x28Ah gel batteries from an ex UPS. Plenty of juice, but always charged when I'm driving around. The roof is just big enough for a 100W panel.

What charge controller are you using Jules?
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Offline julesandtash

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Re: 12v power.
« Reply #19 on: August 02, 2015, 09:33:22 PM »
One of these - cheap and cheerful but work well. I believe Vince (hifly) has the same one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-100W-12v-Energy-Semi-Flexible-Mono-Solar-Panel-100-watt-TUV-ISO-UK-/400966996126?hash=item5d5b7ed09e

and this is the panel
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-100W-12v-Energy-Semi-Flexible-Mono-Solar-Panel-100-watt-TUV-ISO-UK-/400966996126?hash=item5d5b7ed09e

If we do more off grid caravanning I would seriously consider adding another identical panel as I have been very pleased with it

I think if I were upgrading or replacing the controller I would go for one of these now...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Solar-Panel-Regulator-LCD-10-20-30-40A-12V-24V-MPPT-Charge-Controller-3-Timer-BF-/371198750216?var=&hash=item566d2b6e08
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1997 RangeRover P38A 2.5DSE and 2001 Audi Allroad 2.5 V6 Tdi all on B100
Home heating and hot water system on Palm based B100 and Aarrow 7KW wood burner on glycerol logs

Offline Tony

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Re: 12v power.
« Reply #20 on: August 02, 2015, 11:18:22 PM »
From what I've read Jules those aren't really MPPT. I'm using a cheap PWM controller myself.
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