Is this Solar setup good enough?

[Slunnie]

Hi all,

Just looking for some opinion - if these solar electric systems will do the trick.

The Disco2 has a 150ah rear 2nd battery and this powers an Evakool ED50 50litre fridge, a camping ARB flouro versa light (in reality I usually use an LPG gas light) and device charging (eg phone, camera, ipod etc)

For touring (eg winter desert) where we are driving substantially each day, I think that setup is enough.

For camping though (eg Xmas on Fraser Island, Sydney latitude camping etc) where driving each day is minimal, in its later worn out years the 2nd battery (100ah Lifeline) wasnt coping at all. I've just replaced it with a 150ah Lifeline, but am thinking it might be nice to supplement the input with a solar setup and a roofrack mounted panel. Hopefully this keeps power in the battery.

Considering it would only be used for maybe a week each year, would these panels do the trick or are they that crap?

My leaning is towards the 250w setup but I do like how the 160w panel will fold up and use less space when travelling. I really don't know a lot about solar and dont want to throw a heap of money at it.

250w $284
https://www.vicoffroad.com.au/sport-outdoor/solar-panel/12v-250w-solar-panel-generator-power-mono-caravan-camping-battery-charging-kit.html

200w $197
https://www.vicoffroad.com.au/promo-category2/200w-12v-mono-solar-panel-kit-caravan-camping-power-charging-pwm-regulator.html

160w $200
https://www.4wdsupacentre.com.au/products/solar-power/adventure-kings-160w-solar-panel.html

100w $124
https://www.vicoffroad.com.au/sport-outdoor/solar-panel/12v-100w-solar-panel-kit-home-generator-caravan-camping-power-mono-charging-pwm.html

[Ferret]

Found this solar panel sizing calculator on some other forum some time ago. Forget where I found it so can't correctly attribute it to it's author, but it is not my work.

No documentation but some cells have comments behind them (red triangle in upper right corner of the cell) which explains what the input data is about.

Maybe it can give you some guidance given you have already identified most of the data it requires (the buff coloured cells) for your particular situation.

[Blknight.aus]

the 160w panel will be more than enough for a weeks camping with a 150ah battery running a fridge and a couple of hours worth of basic lighting.

Try to restrict charging appliances to when the panels are charging the batteries and youve got it made.

the 200w panel represents about your best investment out of that lot.

[Homestar]

I've got a 160 watt panel charging 2 x 100Ah batteries. Generally used for charging phones/iPads, running up to 3 x 6 watt LED globes, and a small TV. Never been short of power, even when I was running the Engel as well (which I don't now as the setup has ended up in my Caravan). If I did it all again, I'd go the 200 watt panel just for the extra bit (if ever needed) but the 160 watt panel will do as well IMO. :)

[Slunnie]

Fantastic, thanks everybody! I really appreciate the comments and feedback.

[Slunnie]

Found this solar panel sizing calculator on some other forum some time ago. Forget where I found it so can't correctly attribute it to it's author, but it is not my work.

No documentation but some cells have comments behind them (red triangle in upper right corner of the cell) which explains what the input data is about.

Maybe it can give you some guidance given you have already identified most of the data it requires (the buff coloured cells) for your particular situation.
Great calculator to play with and work out variables. Thanks!

[DeeJay]

My understanding of AGM batteries is that a 10-20% charge is the most efficient. It's not critical as a 5% charge ( IE 7.5 amps in to a 150 amp battery) will still charge it but take longer on a pro rata basis - if that makes sense.

[nismine01]

Just in line with where you are going, and I realise you have replaced your battery, but I am following along the same lines.

I have found Lead Crystal batteries, they weigh the same/ish as lead acid but they have a different composition, can be discharged down to zero volts and cycled more often than any other battery.

I think the site was Alpha Technologies or Alpha Batteries.
Price is comparable with AGM etc.

regards

Mike

[VladTepes]

Slunnie... did you get your solar system (above) up and running ?

How's it working out for you?

I'm looking at options myself....

[Chops]

Just in line with where you are going, and I realise you have replaced your battery, but I am following along the same lines.

I have found Lead Crystal batteries, they weigh the same/ish as lead acid but they have a different composition, can be discharged down to zero volts and cycled more often than any other battery.

I think the site was Alpha Technologies or Alpha Batteries.
Price is comparable with AGM etc.

regards

Mike


Not sure about this, as electrics aren't my thing,,, but, wont your fridge turn itself off at about 10 or so volts anyway?

[DiscoMick]

Some fridges do have settings which can be adjusted to turn off the fridge at a certain voltage to protect the battery. I don't know if that applies in Slunnie's case. The settings are usually adjustable, so maybe that feature could be turned off if running a lead crystal battery.
Personally, I have found an 80 watt panel mounted permanently to the roof rack to be quite adequate to keep the AGM in the back of the Defender sufficiently charged to cope with a 35 litre Evakool fridge. That includes camping on Straddie for a week at a time in summer. In winter it might be a bit marginal because of the fewer sunny hours.

[Slunnie]

Slunnie... did you get your solar system (above) up and running ?

How's it working out for you?

I'm looking at options myself....sa
Sadly I havent had a chance to try it all out yet. I ended up getting the fold up 250w panel, thinking that its ok to have too much, but its a waste to have too little. Looking at the size of the panel I'm expecting it to have more than enough mumbo so that I don't have to think about it at all - of course that thought is based purely on ignorance as well. :lol2: I do like the fold up idea though for carting it.


Some fridges do have settings which can be adjusted to turn off the fridge at a certain voltage to protect the battery. I don't know if that applies in Slunnie's case. The settings are usually adjustable, so maybe that feature could be turned off if running a lead crystal battery.
Personally, I have found an 80 watt panel mounted permanently to the roof rack to be quite adequate to keep the AGM in the back of the Defender sufficiently charged to cope with a 35 litre Evakool fridge. That includes camping on Straddie for a week at a time in summer. In winter it might be a bit marginal because of the fewer sunny hours.
I've got the Evakool ED50 fridge/freezer, it does have the low voltage cut out, but that seems to trigger sometimes a bit too low to start the car at times. That may also have had to do with failed batteries at the time.

[trout1105]

I use 2x fold out panels 120w and a 160w to power 2x 110ah deep cell batteries.
These run 2x fridges a 80l Engel at -2 and a 40l Primus at -15 plus recharging various items along with running an inverter for the laptop and LED lighting.
I was away for nearly 3 weeks last trip and I never ran out of juice.
All I had to do was to spin the panels around in the arvo and in the morning to face the sun [thumbsupbig]

[Vern]

I use 2x fold out panels 120w and a 160w to power 2x 110ah deep cell batteries.
These run 2x fridges a 80l Engel at -2 and a 40l Primus at -15 plus recharging various items along with running an inverter for the laptop and LED lighting.
I was away for nearly 3 weeks last trip and I never ran out of juice.
All I had to do was to spin the panels around in the arvo and in the morning to face the sun [thumbsupbig]So simple, and it works! Some people over complicate it, its just for camping!
If it was running your house, then thats different!
I have similar set up to yours, works a treat.

[nismine01]

I have two 120 Watt panels on the roof of the caravan, two odd batteries mounted on the chassis 1 a deep cycle, 1 a 'Marine' battery and a 2800 watt inverter.

Today I tried the airconditioner through the inverter alone and it worked, battery voltage only dropped to 11.6.

I have two 100 AH lead crystal batteries coming from 'Traxide' to ensure longevity of the system.

In my earlier post I mentioned that they (lead crystal) will recharge from zero volts without damage, not that anything but lights will work at reduced voltage but that they are bullet proof and can be discharged and left that way without damage.

I'm rapped that I can run the air con just on batteries out in the sticks if the need arises. Might leave the genny at home.

Cheers

Mike

[numpty]

I run 2 N70 size start batteries in my 130 and have a 100w panel permanently fixed to the roof. Whichever battery is selected will receive charge from the panel.

Recently camped for just under 5 days in the one spot with the fridge drawing power from the one battery and the regulator indicating 14 + volts input during daytime. Vehicle started easily when it was time to leave. I do carry another folding panel of 80w, but have found no need to use it since fitting the panel on the roof.

And, my fridge cycles between about 0 and 4 degrees.