I'd love to have a solar panel, but every time I ran the numbers it seemed like it wasn't really that good a deal, based on my pattern of camping. The issue I'm considering is Solar Panel vs. just more battery capacity, vs. length of stay. Let's say you want to spend $250. Solar Panels: You can get a 50W solar panel w/controller. This will give you 300WH/day (assuming 6 hours of good sun- equivalent) Batteries: You can get 4 deep cycle 100AH batteries. This will give you 2000WH of capacity (assuming 50% draw to keep the batteries happy) Based on these numbers, it seems to me that you when you set up camp, the solar panel system won't begin to be better until you've been camping for around 6 days straight. Solar Panel Issues: The solar panels also need some attention (you have to park in the sun if mounted on the van, or else set them up in the sun. Some worry about theft? Cloudy days? Battery Issues: Weight & size inside the van. Adding more lead to the environment? How long of a drive would it take to recharge them fully? |
Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of
Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection
will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!
Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com
The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.
Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.