Solar and New batteries??? (1 Viewer)

[pameladavid]

HI EVERYONE. We are new to motorhoming but loving every minute! Just come back from the Peterborough show and enjoyed it even if it rained on Sunday morning.

We have a 2006 Dethleffs A Class to which we have already added a satellite system, reversing camera, microwave etc but at the weekend without hookup we quickly ran out of battery even though we have fitted LED lighting (via Bedazzled.uk.com) the TV / Satellite soon drained our 85 amp? leisure battery.

We want to wild camp in France next month so want more resilience in our power supplies and are thinking of adding 2 x 110amp batteries and a 100w solar panel. Whilst we are relatively competent at doing most of the work ourselves we would really appreciate the experience of all you keen funsters? One of the things we wondered was whether the addition of two more batteries would be charged through the existing charger?

Any help would be greatly received.

Many thanks Pam and David

 

[dellwood33]

I have recently fitted 2 x 120Ah batteries, LED lighting and a 85W solar panel. No problems at all at either the Carmarthen show or the Peterborough Show without hookup.

 

[robnchris]

Hi and welcome to the funsters, difficult to give you an accurate answer not knowing what your power consumption is.
Yes upgrade the batteries by all means, though when having them fitted get the charger checked out to make sure it is up to the job of charging them.
Think you should look at fitting two solar panels, one 100w panel on a good day would probably give you 4/5 amps an hour.
Bearing in mind that as the summer prgresses you will be using your lights less, though as you said they are LED`s they won`t use much, blowers on heaters consume a fair but but again you won`t be using that in the summer.

So I guess I would work out what your power comsumption is and then take it from there.

Good luck.

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[Wildman]

well looks like a plan forming, 2 x 110 amp/hr batteries and a 100W panel. but note a small TV not gert great thing and no microwave or hairdrier unless you have a hookup.
Computer or Tv not both at the same time. Have a great time.

 

[pameladavid]

Thanks

its good to know there are other like minded people out there willing to share their experiences! 3 replies so far...... keep them coming! Peace and love to you all

 

[pappajohn]

hi Pam and David and welcome to the asylum......

i don't know what size / make charger you have but it is probably a minimum of 15amp......thats twice what you'll ever get from a 100w solar panel.

adding two 110ah batteries will be a good investment, as is a solar panel, and your charger should cope but it will take a lot longer to charge all three batteries and it will be working harder for longer.
think of the little garage bench chargers at 4amps.....they'll charge an 85ah battery in a day or so, no problem, but a 25amp charger will do it in a few hours.

a 100w solar panel will, in an ideal world, give you 8.3amps but thats in a clear sky with full sun directly shining on the panel.
in reality you may get a best of 7amps.
again, quite adequate, but it will take a lot longer to charge three batteries than it would for one.

i have three 110ah batteries and a 120w panel (which, on a good day, will produce around 7.5amps).....the onboard charger is a 25amp 3 stage smart charger.

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