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Thread: camping solar/battery setup.

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    camping solar/battery setup.

    I want to get a battery and panel/s to charge it. I have a camper trailer in which to put the battery, but also want to be able to take the gear as a stand alone set up with either of our utes if the camper is not required. I want to be able to provide power to a 12volt fridge that uses max 2amp/hrs and also am string of led lights for campsite lighting. I've read through many of the threads here, but as I haven't aquired any of these items yet, I'm unsure of where to start with purchases. I think folding panels might make storage for travel easier, and a long cable to allow placing panels in the sun. Other than that, I'd like your advice and recommendations.
    Thanks.
    Don.

  2. #2
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    You'll need a solar regulator between the panel and the battery. The thicker the cable you use the less voltage drop you'll get and consider a chain and padlocks to secure your solar panel when it is in use.

  3. #3
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    I have been fiddling with my setup for awhile.......

    If you want it portable than most will say buy an off the shelf 'thumper' style.......seem to tick all the boxes but I reckon you can get better bang for your buck by putting it all together yourself.

    Grab a plastic battery box
    110amp AGM battery
    Some heavy duty cable
    Some Anderson plugs
    A regulator separate to the solar panel mounted at the battery.....although off the shelf folding panel have a regulator glued to the panel
    A means to secure on the camper and ute

    Re: charging, will you be charging from the alternator? If so a dual battery isolator with Anderson plugs connecting it all

    I have converted everything 12v I have to Anderson plug

    When you say folding, are these the solid panel which are quite large or the flexible ones that are rely compact.

    I reckon minimum 120w, 160w would be ideal.

    The simplest would be all off the shelf......thumper type battery pack, solar ready to go, all should be plug and play, your fridge and light should just if in.

  4. #4
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    I'm probably better to go bigger rather than just adequate. I'm sure there'll be laptop to recharge or something in the future, so 160w sounds good. I think folding/ solid as it can free stand out in the sun. I see some on ebay that have 9.000 cables. I take note of the security requirements. As for regulators, am I right in thinking MPPT regs are the best type? Also are mono crystalline the best type of panel?
    Don.

  5. #5
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    With folding solar panels my experience when buying recently is most (maybe all) have PWM regulators fitted even those that claim to have MPPT regulators.

    A search around google will show the prevalence of fake MPPT regulators originating from China.

    Fake MPPT solar regulators
    2011 D4 3.0 SDV6
    1999 D2 V8, in heaven
    1984 RRC, in hell

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Don 130 View Post
    As for regulators, am I right in thinking MPPT regs are the best type?
    yes but they cost more.

    for the difference in price, you can buy more solar panels which will move for more overall.

  7. #7
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    Interesting comments about the MPPT regs. While prowling ebay this morning I saw this ad. and noted the warning on it
    Some Seller are selling solar panels with "MPPT" controller at cheaper price on ebay. If you think that's real MPPT, think again!

    So, going with the regulator that is supplied with the panel is generally ok? Does anyone have an opinion of the one one on the above ebay site and it's claimed superiority?
    Don

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Don 130 View Post
    Interesting comments about the MPPT regs. While prowling ebay this morning I saw this ad. and noted the warning on it
    Some Seller are selling solar panels with "MPPT" controller at cheaper price on ebay. If you think that's real MPPT, think again!

    So, going with the regulator that is supplied with the panel is generally ok? Does anyone have an opinion of the one one on the above ebay site and it's claimed superiority?
    Don
    So with this controller can you connect straight to battery?
    [SIGPIC]

    2012 LR Defender 90 (BERT) Gone
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    2005 D3 SE V8
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    2016 Moto Guzzi California Audace.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by carlschmid2002 View Post
    So with this controller can you connect straight to battery?
    I gather that is the idea Carl.
    Don.

  10. #10
    DiscoMick Guest
    Quote Originally Posted by carlschmid2002 View Post
    So with this controller can you connect straight to battery?
    We just use a Jaycar folding panels which came with a regulator and works fine. Have installed an Anderson plug connection to the camper battery. If you want easy portable just buy a battery box such as an Ark which comes pre-fitted with plugs and plug the solar into it. AGM batteries are better than lead acid for slow draw down and recharging. Size of panels depends on your usage. We are only running an Engel 40 litre fridge so find 80 watts sufficient. A portable jump starter can also power LED lights.

    Sent from my GT-P5210 using AULRO mobile app

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