Solar panels

[Bedazel]

I am very confused with all the info out there. We have 2 100AM batteries, and want to buy a solar panel to charge them when camping. Would a 120w with either a 10am or 20 am regulator do the job, thinking also to have an isolation switch so batteries are independent of each other.

We have order our camper so need to make some decisions whether I get the manufacture to do some extra wiring.

Bedazel

[jwb]

I'll have a stab!

Yes
Yes
10 amp would work but give you no room to grow your solar input
I added a 4 way switch when I added a second battery to my setup. Just for any issues arising!
Hasn't been used in anger as yet !
Cheers

[HKB Electronics]

Hi Bedazel,

It's not that easy I'm afraid, Just about any size panel would "charge them".

Things to consider:

How long are you prepared to wait for them to be fully charged, they will take x amount of time to
charge depending on the weather conditions and the size of the panels?

Are you going to be running any thing of the batteries while they are charging, if you are then
the panels have to supply that load before they can charge the batteries?

[edz]

G,Day and welcome to the forum Bedazel.
There is heaps of info in the electrical section but this site might give you a basic idea in laymans terms http://www.pandanusparkinc.com/Solar%20Panels%20Guide.html

[Green rv]

HI Badzael

imo... if only running 1x fridge and led lights a 120w panel should do you fine
my recommendation would be don't get a kit that has a built in reg as you want this near the battery
buy a bigger reg say 30amp to allow for upgrades try for a mppt type reg
for a few extra bucks buy a 150w solar

for my set up i run an 80ltr waeco 2 led lights and a small pump i could use 1 x 120w solar but bought 1 x 155w on a good day i could get 44 amps + this should keep me going indefinitely 

note. that even though we get heaps of sun trying to catch it can be harder than you think

hope this helps
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[yogi]

My advise for both solar and batteries is go a big as you possibly can fit / afford. I started with 2 x 140w and thought that would be heaps .... I just bought another 2 x 120w solar kit.

yogi

[Rumpig]

personally i think 120W is on the low side of what you want, i'd say 160W is about what you should aim for to keep on top of average power consumption when camping (personal preferance here and everyones usage is different).
yes 120W will work, we've gotten away with a 80W panel for the past 3 years, but it takes all day on a good day to recharge our battery bank, and after a few days we find we usually end up going backwards and start to lose full charge in our bank.

[Homer_Jay]

As said above, more is better with solar.

My first panel many years ago was 80 watts (this was back when an 80 watt panel was about $800!). It wouldn't really keep up with my 40lt Engel, but with a little bit of driving here and there it would do the job (just). This was only fridge as all my lights were gas back then. Keep in mind this was with a basic regulator (not MPPT or anything fancy like that!).

I have a 240wat portable panel that seems to keep up with the fridge and lights (all LED and fluoro) ok provided you move it around a couple of times during the day to follow the sun. Too many cloudy days may see the need to run the car, but I never really had that problem.

On my pop top I have 400watts (2X 200) and it keeps up with all lighting and running the 80lt upright fridge in the van. I went overkill as the panels are permanently mounted and I don't have the luxury of being able to 'follow the sun'.

I would certainly suggest you go to a regulator that will allow expansion of panels in the future.

Amount of panels will really depend on the power useage. I reckon if just running lights/etc (no fridge) then around 80-100watts will keep up no problem allowing for a bit of overcast days. If running a fridge then a minimum of 200 watts IMHO depending on size of fridge and how long you want to camp in one spot. But more is better!

Whilst not a technical calculation (im not that smart!) I hope my info may help.