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Stacey007



Member Since: 25 Sep 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3693

United Kingdom 
Solar charging and storage
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 Smile


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
Post #769987 25th Apr 2019 10:49am
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gilarion



Member Since: 05 Dec 2013
Location: Wales
Posts: 5084

Wales 2007 Defender 90 Other CSW Trident Green
Quote:
In order to power a coffee machine am I asking too much of this small unit?


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 Smile For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at..

http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1
Post #769991 25th Apr 2019 11:01am
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Stacey007



Member Since: 25 Sep 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3693

United Kingdom 
^ My thoughts... Big Cry
Post #769996 25th Apr 2019 11:08am
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Scotm



Member Since: 28 Feb 2014
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 635

Scotland 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Orkney Grey
Take a cafetiere or an old school expresso maker then you can get decent coffee using gas stove.
Post #770002 25th Apr 2019 12:02pm
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Keith5



Member Since: 27 May 2016
Location: Scotland
Posts: 352

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Santorini Black
I've got one of these for short trips and wild camping:

https://www.aeropress.co.uk/

Works great, minimal mess. Keith
Post #770008 25th Apr 2019 12:49pm
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wyvern



Member Since: 13 Dec 2009
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 2066

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Firenze Red
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...)
Thumbs Up 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
Post #770010 25th Apr 2019 12:50pm
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Stacey007



Member Since: 25 Sep 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3693

United Kingdom 
Thanks for the replies,


I'm thinking maybe a small board set up with an Inverter and plugs with a solar panel I can open on roof of car when set up feeding a caravan Leisure battery. Would this work?


What would I need in solar form to keep a leisure battery topped up.


Thanks
Post #770019 25th Apr 2019 1:32pm
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Stacey007



Member Since: 25 Sep 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3693

United Kingdom 
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?
Post #770022 25th Apr 2019 1:45pm
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Harry.O



Member Since: 25 Jul 2014
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 704

United Kingdom 1989 Defender 90 300 Tdi ST Nato Green
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
Post #770025 25th Apr 2019 2:10pm
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Harry.O



Member Since: 25 Jul 2014
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 704

United Kingdom 1989 Defender 90 300 Tdi ST Nato Green
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
Post #770026 25th Apr 2019 2:10pm
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Stacey007



Member Since: 25 Sep 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3693

United Kingdom 
Harry

Do you store the power or just charge directly from the roof?
Post #770030 25th Apr 2019 2:54pm
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Harry.O



Member Since: 25 Jul 2014
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 704

United Kingdom 1989 Defender 90 300 Tdi ST Nato Green
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
Post #770033 25th Apr 2019 3:23pm
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MartinK



Member Since: 02 Mar 2011
Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border)
Posts: 2664

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Orkney Grey
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)
Post #770035 25th Apr 2019 3:46pm
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Sphere



Member Since: 26 Apr 2013
Location: Midlands
Posts: 725

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Keswick Green
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.
Post #770099 25th Apr 2019 7:47pm
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Sphere



Member Since: 26 Apr 2013
Location: Midlands
Posts: 725

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Keswick Green
Sorry link doesn’t appear to have copied correctly

https://m.facebook.com/Greenboxlighting/
Post #770100 25th Apr 2019 7:48pm
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