120 w solar panel explanation pls (1 Viewer)

Collyer911

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May 30, 2013
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hi all

i have a 120w solar panel fitted to my van mainly for me, to keep the main and leisure battery at full charge when its left on my drive for a couple of weeks,

when not using an ehu though what can i reasonably expect the leisure battery and additional solar to power to last for?

i hope this makes sense
thanks
 
Dec 6, 2011
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you need to know amper hour capacity of liesure battery and what you intend to be drawing / using. also if its sunny or not.
 
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Jan 28, 2008
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unless youve had it wired specially i suspect the panel only powers the leisure battery and not both

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Aug 30, 2012
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I don't think ours could be compered to your set up as unsure of battery's and how much you use
We went down Dordogne last year mainly of hookup
And only flattened leisure battery once on 4 th day morning with out hook up
And I think that was due to 2 previous days being a bit overcast
We have fitted
120 watt solar panel
2 80 amp battery's

We olso did Newark show no hookup
Arrived Thursday night and flattened battery's on early hours Sunday morning
But it was well below freezing and heating on constantly

I have just repalaced battery's to 120 amp so we will see what happens now
 
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Wildman

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May 30, 2008
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since 1967
how long is a bit of string, output of the panel at midday/midsummer in full sunshine will be about 7amp/hr all other conditions/times will be considerably less. How long the battery will last you depends on the amp/hr rating and age of the battery and mainly how much you take out of it at night (when there is no sun replacing any that's used).
So amount of sun - amount of use + number of hours in the battery / 2 and you have an impossible equation that has no fixed reference points.
We have 4 x 110 amp/hr batteries and 2 x80W solars (3rd ready to be added) and never need a hookup.
Power I want more power Igor:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
 
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ShiftZZ

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Feb 19, 2008
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We have 2 x 80w solar and 2 x 110A batteries, we have so far never had to resort to swithing stuff off.

We have also replaced all the lights that we use with LED, that reduces the consumption by up to 90%. We have 21inch TV, Auto Sat, and we run up to 2 PC's off 12v and the normal Kindle etc. 2 phones.

When we arrive on site the batteries are usually fully charged, any sun 'appears' to keep them topped up.

We also have a floating charge and that maintains the main and leisure batteries during winter and we were getting some charge from the solar even though they were covered in snow.

We dont go on hookup very often, and if we do we have an electric kettle and heater to save using our gas.

Hope this helps..

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Aug 30, 2012
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Hi ya shify
Has your beloved got bugs out of her eyes yet :thumb::ROFLMAO:
Where are you bound for next
We have a quite time for next few weeks may get a couple of days in next weekend then that's it for awhile
 
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magicsurfbus

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Oct 11, 2010
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We have an 85W monocrystalline panel and a 110Ah battery.

Our lights are all LED, we have a TV, satellite box, and water pump, and recharge the laptop and sundry other gadgets off the 12v. We don't use an inverter for anything.

We haven't used an EHU for years. Even when the 12v wasn't charging off the alternator for a year we never drained the leisure battery. In southern climes the leisure battery is back up to full charge by mid-morning on a reasonably sunny day.

I would add that we tend to use the van between spring and autumn - winter would be a different prospect.
 
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ShiftZZ

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Feb 19, 2008
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Hi ya shify
Has your beloved got bugs out of her eyes yet :thumb::ROFLMAO:
Where are you bound for next
We have a quite time for next few weeks may get a couple of days in next weekend then that's it for awhile

Hello me old Rhubarb Hells Angel and nice Trike owner.

We will be in Shrewsbury on the weekend, causing havoc and me and Rangi (Benny from Crossroads) will be in the pub watching rugby, fighting with the locals (only pretending) and serviing bottle conditioned beer less than 3.8% proof to GKH, besides that not a lot planned...

Yes her eyes are fine, she had the biggest smile ever... Never heard the end of it....

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Aug 30, 2012
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burstnar T640
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Hello me old Rhubarb Hells Angel and nice Trike owner.

We will be in Shrewsbury on the weekend, causing havoc and me and Rangi (Benny from Crossroads) will be in the pub watching rugby, fighting with the locals (only pretending) and serviing bottle conditioned beer less than 3.8% proof to GKH, besides that not a lot planned...

Yes her eyes are fine, she had the biggest smile ever... Never heard the end of it....

Looks like coast for us with our granddaughter for weekend then that's it no plans
But Elaine's been looking at Malvern fancies the country and western theme for a change so we are trying to work out days off only draw back is we will have to bring little one but ha ho she's good fun to be around so not too bad just early nights and not too drunk
 
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ShiftZZ

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Feb 19, 2008
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Not planned to go to Malvern.

Just seen the list of those going.

Phew, what a rabble, one or two you wish to avoid... GJH, avoid whhen he has had two drinks or more, he tends to take all his clothes off and pretend to be Elvis, Jill his wife is far far worse, speed ironing on top of the van. I could go on, but at least you have been warned.

The rest of the list looks like a list of Wanted from Crimewatch.


Jim & Sian (Marshals)
Brisey & Pamelaaar (Marshals)
JJ & Frankie (Marshals)
Mr Motorhome
Toledo
Martin 1485
Ludo
Janine
Mad Floss
GJH
Mike McGlynn
The Mogs
Jamwitt
Sunrise Explorer
Kermit
John 745
Mike D
Carol
Stitch Up
ourcampersbeentrashed
Old Doug
jaahooboy
knighthauler
Enery8
middle east driver
catspyjamas
Wizbangs
capinpugwash
Ifor
audlin
Makems
Mavis
Silkcut 1105
Mike & Carolyn
Jaws
Sundowners
Robley 7636
Peter H
gozomike
Jack Russel
drago35uk
Lindyloot
Smudger
Tattytony
G2EWS
Armytwowheels
Movan
Kimmy62
YogiBear
Champers
UKBill
Pat 1951
Penelope Pitstop
Knuckledragger
PhilD
Champers
Kbsserv
WelshCowboy
Robert Griffiths
Gwen
D Bailey2
Ladylea
Nemo



Good god, stay away man,
 
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Collyer911

Free Member
May 30, 2013
32
31
Leicester
Funster No
26,242
MH
A class
Exp
Newbie
We have 2 x 80w solar and 2 x 110A batteries, we have so far never had to resort to swithing stuff off.

We have also replaced all the lights that we use with LED, that reduces the consumption by up to 90%. We have 21inch TV, Auto Sat, and we run up to 2 PC's off 12v and the normal Kindle etc. 2 phones.

When we arrive on site the batteries are usually fully charged, any sun 'appears' to keep them topped up.

We also have a floating charge and that maintains the main and leisure batteries during winter and we were getting some charge from the solar even though they were covered in snow.

We dont go on hookup very often, and if we do we have an electric kettle and heater to save using our gas.

Hope this helps..

it does thanks!!
 
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oldun

Free Member
Mar 23, 2008
747
162
St Neots
Funster No
1,917
MH
VW Campervan
Exp
Since 2001
We have an 85W monocrystalline panel and a 110Ah battery.

Our lights are all LED, we have a TV, satellite box, and water pump, and recharge the laptop and sundry other gadgets off the 12v. We don't use an inverter for anything.

We haven't used an EHU for years. Even when the 12v wasn't charging off the alternator for a year we never drained the leisure battery. In southern climes the leisure battery is back up to full charge by mid-morning on a reasonably sunny day.

I would add that we tend to use the van between spring and autumn - winter would be a different prospect.

An 80W panel will give 4 amps or less most of the time in the UK as the figure 80W (7 A) is only achievable under ideal conditions, bright sun, clear sky, dead overhead etc.

So in 4 or 5 hours you will be lucky to get 10 to 20 Ahr recharge.

Having said that they are well worth having and do make a significant difference.

The problem I found with my panel van conversion was finding the space to fit one.
 
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Feb 9, 2008
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Corby, Northants
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MH
Coach Built
Exp
Since 2007
Sorry about this! I wanted to warn people about the problems associated with discharging their leisure batteries below the recommended level of 80% and attach a technical sheet from the Camping and Caravan Club which gives more details on looking after your batteries.
Unfortunately, this web site is still in the dark ages and will not let me attach the document due to it's size.

Therefore, I have copied and pasted below for your information.


A guide to using leisure batteries from
The Camping and Caravanning Club
Most modern caravans have
three sources of power –
gas, mains electricity and a
twelve volt battery.
If you run out of gas and you’ve left
your mains cable at home you’ll still
be able to power your caravan lights,
water pump and other twelve volt
appliances provided that your battery
is in good condition.
There are two sources of twelve volt
power – one from your car and the
other from your caravan.
Although you can use either battery
to power your caravan’s twelve volt
system, batteries used in caravans
and cars are constructed differently
and should not be interchanged.
Your caravan battery has been
designed to give you power over a
long period whereas a car’s battery
has been designed to produce a
higher power over a shorter time
scale.
The most suitable type of caravan
battery is a leisure battery. It has been
designed to meet the demands
required by twelve volt appliances.
Both types of batteries need
maintaining properly to ensure that
they continue to operate satisfactorily.
This data sheet will tell you how to
look after and get the best out of your
leisure battery so that you can
continue using your unit’s equipment
if no other power source is available.
Looking after your leisure
battery
There are two
types of twelve
volt batteries –
the vehicle battery
used to start a car and
the leisure battery
used in caravans and
other camping units.
Vehicle batteries
supply a high current
of around 200 amps
over a short period of
time to start the
engine.
This heavily drains
the battery but this
loss is soon replaced
by the vehicle’s
alternator and the
battery never
becomes fully
discharged.
It has a shallow
cycle of discharge and
charge and is
designed for that
purpose.
The leisure battery
is designed to supply
a much lower current
over a longer period of
time to enable caravan
lights, water pumps
and even televisions
to operate.
Recharging is
carried out by hooking
up to an electric mains
supply, recharging
from the towing
vehicle or from a
leisure battery charger
when at home.
The battery has the
ability to constantly
discharge and
recharge to a greater
degree compared to
the vehicle battery
during its normal life.
This is known as deep
cycling.
Although similar in
shape they should not
be interchanged on a
permanent basis.
Battery
construction
Both types of batteries
are similar in
construction. They
normally have six cells
containing sulphuric
acid topped with
distilled water and are
housed in a
polypropylene casing.
Each cell has a set of
lead plates.
During recharging
and discharging each
plate expands and
contracts. In doing so
the plates lose some
of their active material.
A separator
between the plates
helps to stop this. In a
car battery the
separator is not
sufficient to prevent
deterioration if
constant deep cycling
takes place.
A leisure battery has
a second glass wool
separator which helps
contain the active
materials and
prolongs battery life.
Sulphuric acid fills
This Data Sheet is
one of a series
produced by The
Camping and
Caravanning Club
on key camping and
caravanning topics.
These are
available as
downloadable
Acrobat files, free
to all campers and
caravanners.
This Data Sheet
originally appeared
in Camping and
Caravaning, the
Club’s monthly
magazine.
It is just one of
the many benefits
of membership.
Club members also
benefit from access
to over 90 UK Club
Sites, Carefree, the
Club’s international
travel service, and a
wide range of other,
exclusive Member
Services.
You can join the
Club on-line, or by
calling 024 7685
6797, or at any of
our UK Club Sites.
the voids in the cells
and is used as a
conductor between
the plates.
As the cell
discharges the density
of the acid decreases,
reducing the ability of
the plates to release
the electric current.
Charging reverses the
process.
Battery choice
There are a number of
important things to
consider when
choosing a leisure
battery.
Most modern
caravans have an
integral locker. The
size of this locker may
restrict the size of
battery you can use.
Older caravans
carried an exposed
battery in the gas or
bed locker. This is not
now recommended.
For caravans
without a built-in
compartment, a
special sealed box can
be fitted under the bed
locker or in the
wardrobe.
Weight is a further
consideration. At 18-
22kgs it takes up part
of the caravan payload
and can be difficult to
lift into the storage
locker.
In general the bigger
the battery the more
powerful it is.
Batteries are rated
according to their
current output over an
hour. This is
designated as
ampere-hours (AH).
A 60/65AH battery is
suitable for weekend
use, 75AH is an
adequate size for the
regular caravanner and
a 90/100AH battery
has plenty of power for
those extra twelve-volt
gadgets or for those
who use sites without
an electrical hook-up.
Battery life
The life of the battery
depends on its use.
The more appliances
you use in a given
period the more
current you will use
and the quicker the
battery will discharge.
Determine the rating
of each appliance and
the period of time, you
are likely to use them
each day.
For example if you
have two eight watt
lamps being used over
five hours and a 40
watt water pump used
for one hour, this
equates to 120 watt
hours (2x8x5+1x40).
Dividing this by twelve
results in ten ampere
hours per day.
For a 75AH battery a
fully charged battery
will last seven and a
half days (75/10) and
then will be fully
discharged.
Never totally
discharge a battery. It
is unlikely that you will
be able to recharge it
again.
In practice it is
better to never let your
battery discharge to
less than 80 per cent
of its capacity.
If you allow the
battery to discharge
beyond half its
capacity it is unlikely
that you will fully
recharge it again.
Safety
check
■ Always use
clamping clips on
the battery
terminals.
■ Ensure the
battery venting
pipe is in the
correct position.
■ Avoid naked
lights or electric
sparks when
inspecting or
topping up
electrolyte levels.
■ Remove the
negative terminal
first. Replace
positive terminal
first.
■ Use a leisure
battery charger
rather than a car
type battery
charger.
■ Turn off the
battery charger
and disconnect
mains electricity
before removing
the battery.
■ Ensure the
battery is
securely fixed.
■ Use gloves,
protective
clothing and
goggles when
topping up cells.
■ Never smoke
near a charging
battery or when
maintaining it.
Battery care
The more care you
take with your battery
the longer its life will
be.
Regularly inspect
the battery for
cleanliness, electrolyte
levels and state of
charge.
Always wear
protective clothing.
Batteries contain acid
and any spillage will
damage your clothes
and burn your skin.
Wipe the battery top
dry with a cloth or
kitchen paper.
Clean any white
deposits from the
terminals with warm
water. Coat the
terminals with
petroleum jelly.
Unless the battery is
of the maintenance
free type, occasionally
top up the electrolyte
with distilled water
obtainable from motor
accessory shops.
Check the state of
charge using a direct
current voltmeter –
12.7 volts indicates a
fully charged battery,
12.3 volts it’s half
discharged and
anything less than
11.8 volts the battery
has fully discharged.
Another method is
to test the strength of
the electrolyte in the
cells using a
hydrometer.
A reading of less
than 1.1 indicates a
discharged battery. At
1.28 the battery’s fully
charged.
Battery charging
If you keep your
battery in the caravan
charge it from the car
when towing.
If you are on a site
and use a mains
electric hook-up it
will be charged
through the caravan’s
own on-board
charger.
Solar and wind
chargers are
becoming popular
but will only provide
a trickle charge to the
battery.
During a long
lay-up period store
the battery in a dry
place and use a leisure
battery charger every
month or so to keep it
fully charged. If you
use non- electrics
sites, and your car is
appropriately wired,
charge the battery in
the boot of the car
during trips out.
Calculating battery power
Equipment Current (Amps) Hours Amp.hour (AH)
One fluorescent light 0.75 x 5.00 3.75
Two reading lamps 1.50 x 2.00 3.00
Colour TV 3.00 x 2.50 7.50
Water pump 7.00 x 0.25 1.75
Total ampere hours = 16.00
Add 20 per cent safety margin 3.20
19.20
If this is the amount used per day, a 75Ah battery will last around four
days and be fully discharged. Never allow a battery to discharge
beyond 50 percent of its capacity. Recharge the battery after two days.
During a long lay-off period bench charge the
battery using an appropriate leisure charger.
Using a volt meter, a reading of 12.7 volts will
indicate that the battery is fully charged.
Datasheet ref no: 9027

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callumwa

Free Member
Jan 16, 2011
4,110
4,480
Tyne & Wear, sometimes..
Funster No
14,968
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
4 yrs +, 30+ yrs motorbike touring
Sorry about this! I wanted to warn people about [HI]the problems associated with discharging their leisure batteries below the recommended level of 80%[/HI] and attach a technical sheet from the Camping and Caravan Club which gives more details on looking after your batteries.



80%.....!!!:Eeek:

So if you have an 80 a/h battery you have 16 amps available.........:Eeek:


Hmmmmn:RollEyes:



::bigsmile:
 
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