 | Home > Camping, Caravanning and Holidays > Solar charging and storage |
 
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| Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3898  
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Hello
This summer looks like we are UK touring and not always with Electric (camping) I'm looking at solar power and a storage unit... Mainly for charging phones, watches, but would be nice if it has enough power to run our coffee machine 
I've no idea what power etc I need..... This storage unit looks a handy size and will be fine for phones etc? https://www.sunstore.co.uk/product/yeti-15...r-station/ What sort of panels would I need? this particular company they range from 40w to 100W https://www.sunstore.co.uk/product/12v-sol...briefcase/ In order to power a coffee machine am I asking too much of this small unit? Thanks in advance |
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25th Apr 2019 10:49am |
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| gilarion Member Since: 05 Dec 2013 Location: Wales Posts: 5142  
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You would need a fairly large array of panels to power a coffee machine and a powerful inverter, so might be better buying a jar of instant For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at..
http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1 |
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25th Apr 2019 11:01am |
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| Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3898
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^ My thoughts...
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25th Apr 2019 11:08am |
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| Scotm Member Since: 28 Feb 2014 Location: Aberdeenshire Posts: 697  
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Take a cafetiere or an old school expresso maker then you can get decent coffee using gas stove.
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25th Apr 2019 12:02pm |
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| Keith5 Member Since: 27 May 2016 Location: Scotland Posts: 357 
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I've got one of these for short trips and wild camping:
https://www.aeropress.co.uk/ Works great, minimal mess. Keith |
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25th Apr 2019 12:49pm |
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| wyvern Member Since: 13 Dec 2009 Location: Cornwall Posts: 2155 
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Hi Stacy
we have a 2 battery set up in the 110 which runs heater, 240 inverter for camera and laptop battery charging, about 8 usb ports for watch, iphones kindle satnav and dashcam -all with no issues or shortage of power. another option is to have a jump stater like this if you dont have a 2 bat set-up ... just charge it on the move. we have one that runs the beacon lights & hand held radio on my partner D5 and it works very well. http://www.amazon.co.uk/YABER-20000mAh-Wat...&psc=1 We have a gas cooker on board that we use to make drinks and fresh coffee is provided for my better half via a stainless cafetrier and works very well. (Early morning cuppas are made quicker by making a flask of hot water before bed and heating it up first thing...)  Poppy - TDCI (Puma) 110XS 2.2 - Camper conversion - see the build here - https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic56530.html
Elgar -TDCI(Puma) 110XS Dormobile - now sold Devon & Cornwall 4x4 Response - DC126  |
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25th Apr 2019 12:50pm |
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| Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3898
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This idea?
Click image to enlarge The unit has 2 USB's straight off it but if I added a battery and inverter I would have storage and more options? |
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25th Apr 2019 1:45pm |
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| Harry.O Member Since: 25 Jul 2014 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 732 
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That looks about right. I have a 120w solar panel on the roof rack and that powers a fridge in the back with no issues, even when the interior reaches 34*C and the fridge is on full chat I've never experienced a flat battery. 2005 Td5 110 Hardtop
1989 300Tdi 90 Soft top 1992 200Tdi 90 Truck cab with Land Cruiser axles |
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25th Apr 2019 2:10pm |
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| Harry.O Member Since: 25 Jul 2014 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 732
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That looks about right. I have a 120w solar panel on the roof rack and that powers a fridge in the back with no issues, even when the interior reaches 34*C and the fridge is on full chat I've never experienced a flat battery. 2005 Td5 110 Hardtop
1989 300Tdi 90 Soft top 1992 200Tdi 90 Truck cab with Land Cruiser axles |
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25th Apr 2019 2:10pm |
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| Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3898
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Harry
Do you store the power or just charge directly from the roof? |
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25th Apr 2019 2:54pm |
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| Harry.O Member Since: 25 Jul 2014 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 732
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Hi Stacey, at the moment the Defender just has the starter battery. I went off on a last minute trip for a month around France and having purchased a fridge, installed the panel to keep the battery topped up whilst away. Over the month I never connected the vehicle battery to a mains charger and the 110 even sat without being started for a week with no issues despite the fridge running and the ignition on occasionally to charge phones.
This summer I will fit a 2nd battery for peace of mind along with a Victron VSR but the Heath Robinson approach worked fine. From memory its a 120w panel to a 15A PWM charge controller and then to the primary battery (with a couple of fuses for safety). 2005 Td5 110 Hardtop 1989 300Tdi 90 Soft top 1992 200Tdi 90 Truck cab with Land Cruiser axles |
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25th Apr 2019 3:23pm |
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| MartinK Member Since: 02 Mar 2011 Location: Clackmannanshire Posts: 2682 
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Stacey
I have this kit: https://www.bimblesolar.com/offgrid/comple...;order=ASC it will charge the battery of the Defender, but only when the sunlight is fairly strong, and directly positioned. It wasn;t enough through winter to keep the battery (attached to the vehicle) topped-up, and I had to charge it with my c-tek. Seems enough for summer though withe the brighter/longer sun... Hope this helps Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's) |
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25th Apr 2019 3:46pm |
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| Sphere Member Since: 26 Apr 2013 Location: Midlands Posts: 725 
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Always liked the geenbox lighting solution.
Www.greenboxlighting.co.uk Simple and can have a built in solar charger, if I didn’t have a duel battery I would probably get one lift out and take around. |
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25th Apr 2019 7:47pm |
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| Sphere Member Since: 26 Apr 2013 Location: Midlands Posts: 725
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Sorry link doesn’t appear to have copied correctly
https://m.facebook.com/Greenboxlighting/ |
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25th Apr 2019 7:48pm |
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