solar panel mounting clips
The guide to renewable energy! – Facts, review and user comments
Half a life, when my wife and I first got a taste RV life by distance, we decided very early in that solar power had to be the way forward. Despite the rapid advances in solar technology – and even that time – many fellow travelers were surprised when they learned of our RV was "powered by solar energy.
Of course, that small mobile home was in years, and there was a general belief among motorhomers caravans and that solar energy was "too expensive" and "too technical. "But whatever his reasons, I am here to tell you that solar energy, battery charge 12 volts was then, and remains, worthy of serious consideration – regardless of size or age of your trip rig.
In fact, even the most basic system – like ours was then – not only provides a significant increase in self-sufficiency, but also saves enough money to recoup their investment in less than three months. Even today.
For example, a 30-watt, self-regulating solar panels cost about $ 280 to $ 350 here in Australia. If then a factor keeping is not presented, deep cycle batteries for at least 75 Ampere hours – to be installed in the RV – perhaps $ 180, plus the proper wiring, a plastic housing for the sale of the battery (vented to the outside), and various hardware for, say, 50 dollars, its total expenditure should not be much more $ 600.
After that, every night to make use of its energy on board in a "no hook-ups camping, you stand to save between $ 15 and $ 25 at the tourist park fees. Sometimes more. In these figures, the form of organization has depreciated over perhaps 30 nights or less!
It is true that normally sufficient power available from standard battery of your vehicle towing more than one or two nights, but if the vehicle is not moving for two or three days the engine will almost certainly need a period of one hour or more to "complete" charge the battery removed. And with the system of a drum solo-ups, there is always a risk of abusing their power, resulting in a flat battery!
On the other hand, if you prefer overnight security and companionship of a park tourism, a place without motor – nice and quiet spots in the back – save maybe $ 3 – $ 8 per night. This means that your investment could still have back to the bank within six months.
No matter how you look at solar energy was – and is – the way forward. It is clean, efficient, quiet and not requires almost zero maintenance. And once the initial outlay has been covered, to meet the basic needs thereafter are free.
However, there is a downside. (Is not it always?) A series of fixed solar panels – on the roof of RV, for example – have to be on the sun's rays long and strong enough to adequately replace battery. Parked too long in the shadow, or suffering for a long stretch of rain-filled skies, you can remove a single battery power supply in two or three days, even with the judicious use. For that reason, some travelers have an extra panel, solar laptop that can at every position to catch most direct rays of the sun, as long as possible.
However, in the four years that we had traveled very little they had very few problems. (That yes, we have always been "conventional" backup in the form of a small gasoline generator, and our car has always been dual battery equipped to share the food needs of the campsite.)
And about the complicated technology? Well, if a techno-slouch as I can have all the system installed and running in less than two hours, anyone can! What we did was: (1) solar panel mounting directly on the roof of the RV (with carefully applied sealant in and around the screw holes), then (2) run the wiring down panel in the truck (through the corner of the hatch of all-seasons) in a closet. Being a solar self-regulatory group, a controller was needed between the panel and the battery, so the cables are attached directly to the battery. Battery is in a sturdy plastic storage container with a lid to the box, I still sealed with silicone. Two 6-mm lengths of rubber tubing pierced box to the outside through the caravan floor (inside the cabinet). Battery terminals were equipped with belts of heavy duty extension passing through side of the box to the outside to facilitate the normal connection via alligator clips, a making portable 12-volt, or sometimes a low-capacity inverter. All holes in the floor and the battery box were sealed in its entirety (both sides) with silicone sealant.
For maintenance, all that is needed is an occasional wipe down the solar panel and a general review of the cables and joints from time to time. I also put a multimeter between the battery terminals once in time to see how was tracking. (Of course, this reading is correct only after the battery has "rested" for half an hour or less, ie without charge in or out.)
OK, we've learned more about solar energy since then, so we did some things differently second time round. But these differences were, in essence, because our full-time trip now takes more than twice the power, with much more in reserve. So gizmos and gadgets are scattered throughout. But when I think that the small, drag-it-anywhere "the caravan, with its most basic form, energy DIY solar setup, we still get to feel warm and fuzzy. (Self-sufficiency in the forest to do that!)
For our money, energy solar and recreational vehicles are for each other, it is impossible to imagine a life of wandering, without either.
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How to Install Solar Panels : solar panel mounting rails
