Solar Panels & Power Supplies

[Elsie2010]

Hi everyone

I'm sorry to almost certainly ask silly questions, and more than likely use the wrong terminologies but, we are brand new sparkling MH'ers about to collect our first van next week!

Our van (Elddis Autoquest 140 2008 plate) has a fixed solar pannel, amd we're wanting to experience both site and wild camping.

I know you can buy jackery like items (power banks/supplies?) But can these be powered/recharged by our fixed solar pannels?

Either way, what's everyone's suggestions in terms of decent, but not bank braking, power supplies to be used to wild camp and to be used to charge phones / small pod coffee machine / power a TV?

Thank you for taking the time to read my post, much appreciated

Jayne

 

[dunnah01]

Have you considered getting a bigger or extra leisure battery instead - this is definitely charged by the solar panel

 

[monzer]

I'd consider a few factors.

What size of solar panel is on? 50 watt? 130watt?

How much leisure batteries have you got and what are their rating? eg 90ah?

And how long do you want to be staying off grid for?

Not sure about coffee machine but the other things you mention aren't hard to power from a basic van electric system.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Usually the motorhome's leisure battery is used for most things off grid, it can be uprated and even used to provide mains power.

 

[Elsie2010]

Thank you

Would a larger leisure battery power those items mentioned OK? I assumed not but like I say, we have little to no clue at present (abd possibly forever more!)

If it would, what would you suggest, please?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Elsie2010]

Ooh, I will have to check when we collect her next week, I'm not awfully sure (I assume she will have just the one tbh)

I would assume we'd be off grid for just a few days then either come home or go to a site. We'd like to do a mix of site/wild

Thsnk you

 

[Guigsy]

Coffee pod machines need about 1500w. Even if it's not for very long, it's a high current draw that's quite hard to satisfy. I'm not even sure the top end Jackery can manage it.

 

[Figaro]

These Jackery / poweroak things have really gone big with all the van lifers on youtube being given them to "review".
Personally I'd look at up-grading (if necessary) your existing battery and solar set up, but you need to investigate what you have first.
If you can post some photos of the set up there are lots on here who will help and advise you.

BTW

 

[Itsmcb]

The phones and the TV require very little electricity, the pod coffee machine is a different matter and will generally use about 1200 watts of 240v mains power. I think a jackery unit big enough to supply that would be quite expensive. However an extra battery and a decent inverter would do the job for probably a lot less. However they would need to be installed into your van.

 

[monzer]

Ooh, I will have to check when we collect her next week, I'm not awfully sure (I assume she will have just the one tbh)

I would assume we'd be off grid for just a few days then either come home or go to a site. We'd like to do a mix of site/wild

Thsnk you

Vans from decades ago were designed to stay off grid for a few days. Solar obviously helps prolong this period these days.

I guess it depends how money you want to spend and how much you want the coffee machine in the van because, as other have said, that's the only thing that will need you to upgrade your power system.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Guigsy]

The phones and the TV require very little electricity, the pod coffee machine is a different matter and will generally use about 1200 watts of 240v mains power. I think a jackery unit big enough to supply that would be quite expensive. However an extra battery and a decent inverter would do the job for probably a lot less. However they would need to be installed into your van.

The £1000 Jackery 1000 can only support 1000w. So can't do a coffee pod machine.

So options are, spend about £1000 on a lithium battery (with 150A output) and invertor....

or coffee in the mocka pot.

 

[mitzimad]

boil coffee on the hob all the other stuff will run from 12v

 

[pappajohn]

Phones are best charged via a cig lighter socket USB charge.
TV ..if it's capable of running on a 12v battery it will be fine.
If the TV has a black transformer box (black brick) in the mains lead it's 12v and will just need a suitable 12v lead.
If the mains lead disappears directly in the TV without a black box it's 230v and won't work on 12v
Hair driers, coffee machines etc ....forget it on a basic 12v system.
They need 230v mains ...hook up or inverter....but not on a single battery.

An inverter converts 12vdc (battery) to 230vac (mains)

 

[Guigsy]

boil coffee on the hob all the other stuff will run from 12v

I came to the same conclusion. The price of admission just to get a 240v coffee machine is huge.

So I run the laptops off a cheapo inverter that runs of the accessory socket and everything else is USB.

 

[Itsmcb]

I'm running a Nespresso pod machine and a microwave (obviously not at the same time) off two 110amp lead acid batteries and a 1200watt inverter. Both machines only run for a minute or two, no probs so far Oh and also a hairdryer, hair straighteners and a 240v TV.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[VXman]

It's only your coffee machine that will use a decent amount of power. The rest will probably be fine using the vans leisure battery and solar for a few days. I'd suggest changing your method of making coffee - at least for while you are off grid. Areo press, pour over/drip coffee. Decent gorund coffee, water heated on your gas - sorted. Buying a Jackery or the like for a few cups of coffee is a little extreme!

 

[XxAnthxX]

The best advice I can give is…….go camping….use the van…..then see what you can’t do that you want or need to do.

Everyones needs, demands and can’t live without luxury items are different.

Then decide what if anything really needs upgrading.

most importantly…..have fun

 

[Lenny HB]

I'm running a Nespresso pod machine and a microwave (obviously not at the same time) off two 110amp lead acid batteries and a 1200watt inverter. Both machines only run for a minute or two, no probs so far Oh and also a hairdryer, hair straighteners and a 240v TV.

But your batteries won't last very long caning them like that. LA batteries shouldn't be discharged at more than the C5 rate.

 

[Raul]

I'm running a Nespresso pod machine and a microwave (obviously not at the same time) off two 110amp lead acid batteries and a 1200watt inverter. Both machines only run for a minute or two, no probs so far Oh and also a hairdryer, hair straighteners and a 240v TV.

Poor batteries, that type of load for such a small capacity it’s a middle ground for lithium. You are discharging lead with 0,5C, I never do that with my lithium, my max is 0,3C.

 

[Itsmcb]

I appreciate it's not ideal but they are what I have. Currently () it all works and the wife is happy. When they die I will replace them with a decent lithium. I've been replacing the charging side with lithium ready gear.