DX grunt... in the flesh

[big_fletch]

OI, stop hyjacking my thread, you two. lol

Haha sorry Ross, I shall stop now... I promise

[DX grunt]

Keep it coming brother. lol

My turn coming up to hyjack yours. lol.

Give us a couple of days to read the instructions and I'll holler (call out)

[big_fletch]

Keep it coming brother. lol

My turn coming up to hyjack yours. lol.

Give us a couple of days to read the instructions and I'll holler (call out)

Scotty started it, we should hijack his thread lol...
If you get stuck u know how to contact me mate

[Cuppa]

Hi Ross,
What are you planning to run off your solar panels? Are you going for 'self sufficiency' or just to extend the time you can spend 'off grid'?
I have been giving some thought to power for my camper. Assuming I have the same existing set up as yourself, you might be interested in which way my thoughts are going?
The existing dual battery system has the batteries separated/joined by a Redarc 'Smartstart' voltage sensitive relay. Our power requirements are to run a 60-80litre fridge & a separate 40 litre freezer, water pump, & a few lights (LED's) & music player & laptop & would like to power these off separate batteries (leaving the existing auxillary for winch/& compressor as required). I'll use AGM batteries , probably 2 x 100A/h. My preference is for a system that allows us indefinite periods of time in the bush, but this has to be balanced against the outlay cost & storage /convenience of panels. I am thinking of 1 panel, probably a 160w on the cabin roof (will have a rooftop tent on top of the canopy) & another single 120w or 130w panel carried inside the canopy, & utilised whenever we stay put anywhere for more than overnight. In addition I'm thinking of using a 'CTEK D250S Dual'. This acts as a 'smart' multistage battery to battery charger, so the AGM's can be more quickly & more fully charged by driving than the existing system manages, it also acts as a solar regulator, so at 4?0 bucks is pretty good value. If driving 4 or 5 hours daily it would sufficient by itself, but I'd hope that the two solar panels could extend our 'camping without driving' (or pulling out the gennie) to a week or more. A 3rd panel would stretch that to indefinite. I'd estimate that the 200A/h batteries, assuming some solar input even on grey cloudy days, would give us a 'buffer' of a couple of days before needing to go for a drive, in bad weather.

Anyway, there's probably a 101 ways you could go, so have fun.

regards
Cuppa.
Ps.Are you planning on sleeping inside the 'pod'?
Pps. How much did your front recovery points cost?

[DX grunt]

From memory front recovery points were about $70 - including additional bolts.
We've slept in the pod. Bloody brilliant. A double inner spring will fit in beautifully on the right hand side. Initially a tight squeeze, but once in - perfect.
Get yourself a mozzie net to cover the bed. Hang it from the roof from 4 points. Missus made something up from curtain material. Needs to be fine grade.
You'll have a bit of condensation on the roof when you wake up in the morning - sometimes.
Missus bought a 3 step, step ladder, to climb in. Didn't like using the back wheel to hitch herself in.
My solar panels are 2 x 125w panels. I was told my 95lt Evakool fridge would need a 120w panel. The 'Handiwash' is 6.7w.
The gas storage on the front l/h side of the pod will hold 2 x 1.25kg gas bottles.

Have a look at my pics on the pod doors for where the rain comes in. PITA. Sort that out sooner rather than later, with winter approaching.

At this stage I'll probably put both panels on the roof. Need to cover them up to prevent bush pinstriping. Somebody suggested perspex. Have to research it.

Hope this helps. If I think of anything else, I'll post it here.

Take care out there.

[Cuppa]

Thanks Ross, I thought they'd be more expensive than that. Most stuff that carries a 4wd label seems to be expensive!

My solar panels are 2 x 125w panels. I was told my 95lt Evakool fridge would need a 120w panel. The 'Handiwash' is 6.7w.

Hmmm........ I'd be questioning those figures if I were you. I'd say that you need a minimum of the two panels just to run the 95 litre fridge, assuming it to be a 'stand alone' system.

120w x 2 = 240w. 240w/12v = 20amps. Working on an average of 5 sun hours per day this gives an input of around 5 x 20 = 100A/h per day. Knock 30% off that figure to allow for inefficiencies (fixed panel, forgetting to move any loose panels to face the sun etc) & that brings it down to a realistic 70A/h per day into your battery. I would guess that your fridge will use 60 to 70 a/h per day. So 1 panel would keep your fridge going over a weekend, (without discharging your battery to damaging 'life shortening levels) but you'd need the two for longer periods without alternator input.

The Handiwash uses WAY more than 6.7w! Their website says 9.6 amps. I measured mine with a clamp meter & it was drawing between 9.7amps & 10 amps. 10 amps = 120w@ 12volts. I've removed mine as I consider it too power hungry for a solar system. I'll go for a gas instant hot water unit I think.

I don't reckon perspex over the panels is really needed & potentially could reduce your solar input. The tempered glass in the panels should be tough enough to cope with stuff being dragged over them, but it might be worth putting a 'rail' of some sort in front of the panels to protect them against 'strike' from branches.

regards
Cuppa

[DX grunt]

I was thinking about cutting the ladder brackets down and using them as panel brackets. Expensive, but already paid for.

I'm happy to keep the hot water in the back. I'll just crank the engine up for a bit. It's not an issue with the engine running and produces hot water in about 20-30mins.
At least the sink is really handy.

Musta forgot my glasses when I read about the HWS. lol

Take care

Ross

[TheFlyingBadger]

I was thinking about cutting the ladder brackets down and using them as panel brackets. Expensive, but already paid for.

I'm happy to keep the hot water in the back. I'll just crank the engine up for a bit. It's not an issue with the engine running and produces hot water in about 20-30mins.
At least the sink is really handy.

Musta forgot my glasses when I read about the HWS. lol

Take care

Ross

Ross,

I'd reconsider that ladder-rack idea if I were you. I was chatting to TurboJoe when driving down to Yeagarup on friday morning and I mentioned your plan and he said that he knew someone who had sold his ladder racks for a sh!tload (about $1K if i remember). i'd sell them, and get a dedicated solar rack (possibly tilting and/or swivelling) made up instead

[TheFlyingBadger]

Well peeps,

Here's my latest mod in the making. 2 x 125watt solar panels. Brand spankers. Just gotta do my homework now. lol

looking good Ross. Cheap? must have been a good bloke to sort those out for you....

[DX grunt]

Ross,

I'd reconsider that ladder-rack idea if I were you. I was chatting to TurboJoe when driving down to Yeagarup on friday morning and I mentioned your plan and he said that he knew someone who had sold his ladder racks for a sh!tload (about $1K if i remember). i'd sell them, and get a dedicated solar rack (possibly tilting and/or swivelling) made up instead

Thanks Jon

Thought about that too. I'll give it some more thought. This is all new and I'm overwhelmed with info. lol. You probably confirmed something I was thinking.

They're Rhino ladder racks, too.