Camping Gaza
Free Member
- May 7, 2016
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- Coachbuilt Low profile
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- Converted a Fiat Ducato PV a while back
Came across this on an excellent website and thought I would share with you. (apologies if already posted by another)
http://www.aandncaravanservices.co.uk
Gives you an insight to light levels and solar panels....
Remember that a 100w Solar Panel may give 5amps in the middle of Summer in the Sahara, but only 0.9amps in Inverness in December. Even less if it is cloudy/wet.
Consider the Solar day.
In Leeds in December the Sun doesn't rise til 09:00 and has gone by 15:00. If it is Sunny, a 100watt panel might average 1amp for 4 hours, a paltry 4Ah a day? If it is Cloudy or worse Raining, you might be lucky to harvest 2Ah a day. Barely enough to light one Halogen bulb for 60 minutes!!
In St Tropez in June the Sun rises at 05:00 so a 100w panel might give 6 amps til 21:00 at night. A very different 16 hours x 6amps = potentially 99Ah a day.
Consider the usage.
In July when the Solar harvest is the greatest, is the time when you need the power the least. The days are long and bright so the Interior lights are barely on before it's bedtime. You also won't need the heater blower running all night long.
On the other hand, in Winter, the lights might be on for several hours from 16:00 until around 22:00 depending on when you turn in? The Heater blower is more likely to be on for longer, TV used, etc.
http://www.aandncaravanservices.co.uk
Gives you an insight to light levels and solar panels....
Remember that a 100w Solar Panel may give 5amps in the middle of Summer in the Sahara, but only 0.9amps in Inverness in December. Even less if it is cloudy/wet.
Consider the Solar day.
In Leeds in December the Sun doesn't rise til 09:00 and has gone by 15:00. If it is Sunny, a 100watt panel might average 1amp for 4 hours, a paltry 4Ah a day? If it is Cloudy or worse Raining, you might be lucky to harvest 2Ah a day. Barely enough to light one Halogen bulb for 60 minutes!!
In St Tropez in June the Sun rises at 05:00 so a 100w panel might give 6 amps til 21:00 at night. A very different 16 hours x 6amps = potentially 99Ah a day.
Consider the usage.
In July when the Solar harvest is the greatest, is the time when you need the power the least. The days are long and bright so the Interior lights are barely on before it's bedtime. You also won't need the heater blower running all night long.
On the other hand, in Winter, the lights might be on for several hours from 16:00 until around 22:00 depending on when you turn in? The Heater blower is more likely to be on for longer, TV used, etc.
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