How many do I need ?……. How many Batteries?
How many Solar Panels?……. How much will it cost?
When it comes to sizing up the things that you need for a system that will work well for you, sadly there is no standard set-up
, no ‘one size fits all' type of thing. The way most people operate their fridges, lights, TV's and appliances etc, are usually vastly different, you know like, how long for, on a powered site or not, etc etc.So then when sizing up solar panels and/or batteries required for a good working system there are many considerations that need to be taken into account.
I’m sorry if as you read on this starts to look a bit complex, but it can be very complex, and can cost you a fair amount of money, so it is in your best interests to get it right the first time (mine too).
If you want to skip to a very rough guide have a look at the bottom of this article.Here are some of the main things you need to consider, the sort of things both you and I need to know so that we can correctly size up your requirements.
Of course we need to know what you want to operate from your system, i.e.Lights, TV’s, Laptops, Fridges etc etc, everything that will be drawing power from the batteries.
We need to know the size and type of items, brands and models etc, and how long each day you will need to run each item.
You need to think about how long you may be staying away from mains power without running your vehicle, i.e. like only over night, or a full day and 2 nights, maybe 3 to 4 days, or a week or more, this will make a huge difference to the system you need.
Now how would you like to recharge your batteries when your away from mains power, maybe a generator with a smart battery charger connected to it (and what size is it, or will it be), is running your vehicles engine your back up system, or is solar an option, or part of your plan?
You need to think about the time of year and where you intend to travel, this also plays a very important part of sizing up a system for a few reasons.
The available solar irradiation varies dramatically between Summer and Winter, and also between the North and the South of Australia.
Your fridge for one thing will not be working as hard in Winter as it will in Summer, and you won’t be in and out of it for drinks so often either, but also there is less solar charging available too.
So when asking for advise on what you need to install to make up a good working Solar and/or Battery system to suit your needs, please include as much information as you can so we can more accurately size a system for you that will do all that you expect it to do.
Rough guide, and I mean rough, imprecise, vague, ballpark!
For a caravan, campervan, camping trailer, four wheel drive & tent etc.
(1)Lighting, water pump and small TV all used with conserving power in mind and a gas/electric fridge running on gas.
1 x 60 to 85 watt solar panel with solar controller
1 x 60 to 90 Ah battery + small smart charger
Cost, about $1,100 to $1,300.
(2)Lighting, water pump and small TV all used with conserving power in mind and a 12v compressor fridge of about 50 to 80 litres .
2 x 85 watt solar panels with solar controller
2 x 90 to 120 Ah battery + smart charger
Cost, about $2,200 to $2,500.
(3) To the other extreme now, Lighting, water pump, TV, laptop, fans, inverter, larger 12v compressor fridge 150 to 220 litres.
4 x 130 watt solar panels with solar controller
2 x 260 Ah batteries + Smart charger and Battery monitor
Cost, about $7,500 to $10,000.
Val Rigoli
Fridge & Solar
Internet
orders welcome
we freight all our products Australia wide
If you would like to place an order please go to our >>ORDER
page<<
For Contact Information
Copyright © FRIDGE & SOLAR 2002-2007. Last revised: July 19, 2007.