Mono-crystalline panels are manufactured of silicon crystals and are costly but efficient. If your trip involves setting up tent in a sunny base camp for 5 days, you can go solar. So using a solar panel for this purpose makes sense. However, their cost, plus that of power hookups at campsites can send you insanely bankrupt. A charge controller is installed between the panel and the battery so it can be saved from the effects of overcharging.ĭeep cycle recreational vehicle batteries keep you happy for between 8-10 years. The panel’s job is to charge the battery, which in most cases, is a deep cycle battery. The standard battery, when not in use, will lose up to 30% of its power in one month. This also means that 100Ah auxiliary battery will provide enough power for the next 4 or 5 days before the battery can be recharged. This should get you 16.34Ah, so your average power consumption for the day is approximately 16Ah per day. This is the total amount of power you’ll need in one day. – 20w Halogen lamps running for 2 hours = 40wh – 30W Water pump running for 1hour = 30wh – A small 8W light running for 2 hours = 16wh Let’s assume you operate the following appliances in your pop up camper: So to estimate how much power you need, you should do a simple math that will help you know just how much of power you’ll consume. The size of what you go for will depend on your daily power needs. If you buy an 18W solar panel, this will channel out energy sufficient enough to charge your car’s battery when you’re not using it for a longer period. The smallest panels have the capability of charging small appliances like your PC, cell phone or rechargeable spotlights. As a result, you’ll be able to enjoy the power of the sun under the shade. The extension cord will be plugged into the panel and charge controller. What this means is that you can park your pop up camper in the shade, remove the panel from the roof, and mount it on a tripod stand facing south so you can receive the most sunlight for your power needs. You’ll need basic equipments such as a long extension cord, a tripod stand, and a quick-release mounting bracket. Pop Up Camper Solar Panels: Efficiency Boosting Tips So any solar installation guide that tells you otherwise is not effect. That’s how solar panels perform at their best. If you’re careful enough, you must have noticed that most households or solar farms install panels at 45 degrees, facing southwards so the unit can receive more sunlight intensity. Apparently, this is the most popular position in many camper van conversions. Solar panels that aren’t effective are ones that have been fixed flat on the rooftop of the vehicle. To benefit from a solar panel, you will need plenty of sunlight when the panel is correctly mounted. However, going for skiing holidays in the winter will make it difficult to reap the natural power benefits of the sun. You see, driving around in the sun will justify the use of solar panels on recreational vehicles. But it also depends on the location and the season in which you’ll be going camping. It’s just a matter of connecting batteries with the panel and you enjoy the power. I like the idea of using a 2000W inverter (love our instapot) but can get away with 1200-1500W inverter given our demand loads.The camper van community is currently discussing whether or not going solar is a viable option. We were recommended a combination charge controller in line between "power center" and shore power connection and the Victron 2000W has auto transfer but it is expensive. We don't intend to normally use this camper where shore power would be available but want to keep that option. It is currently connected to a sealed battery which we don't want to keep (really want this to be a simple system since this is our first build) and the converter has a switch to charge lithium batteries. Shore power is now what charges the existing battery. It's a pop-up so it has what I think is a power center/converter where shore power connects, 120V circuit breakers for 120V and fuse block - 12V fuses. Solar charge controller: Victron mppt 100/30 (we will be up in elevation/cold mornings and understand the BMS would handle the temperature issue - any thoughts?).On order: (4) x 100 w panels (24.3 VOC, 4.93A Imp) - plan 2s2p so have 10awg + serial/parallel connectorsīatteries: 16 cells x 72ah LiFeP04 - will configure into 2p4s2p for a total of 288ah and so that we only need 2 BMS Thought we'd start with something simple - solar for a new to us pop-up camper but we're stuck and wondering if anyone else has worked through this problem.
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