Thoughts on solar panel & battery charge for extended camping

[DocuDude]

What are you all using for solar chargers.
Mainly for phones, radio, misc. AA/AAA batteries etc?

Are you connecting the solar charger to an external battery, then pulling from that?

What's the smart setup (that doesn't cost a fortune)

 

[opg4759a]

Recommend you check out this thread, lots of good info in here Rubicon Solar Power Experience

 

[bajaphile]

I'll post my simple setup when I get back from work. But I just bought a 100w Renogy solar panel and a Renogy Wanderer solar controller. Also bought 20ft cords to connect the panel to the controller. Then I made cables with large clamps to connect the controller directly to my battery. Kept the battery topped off while powering my fridge, GoPro, GPS, Phone, etc. You should look at your loads and then determine the wattage you need in the panel. 100-150w should be fine for most people charging devices.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

If you are only talking about recharging small items, I used to carry a small rechargeable battery pack (Amazon.com: HALO StarLight 3000 Portable Charger And Flashlight, in Black: Cell Phones & Accessories)... it was fine and was rechargeable, via the cigarette lighter, using a small invertor.

But, my daughter recently sent me this Amazon.com: Solar Charger Battery Matone® Portable 10000mAh Solar Battery Charger Shockproof, Dual USB output Solar Powered Phone Charger for iPhone, iPod, iPad, Samsung, HTC, GPS & Gopro Camera (Red): Cell Phones & Accessories and I've found I can keep my iphone, bluetooth speaker, bluetooth headphones, etc. charged with it. I don't have to recharge it as often and can recharge it via the cigarette lighter, using a small invertor or sunlight.

It's perfect for my FJ40 trips.

I use a 90watt 'suitcase' panel, with built-in charge controller, to keep my travel trailer battery charged, when camping off the grid, for extended periods.

 

[Prairie Swamp]

I have a similar set-up to bajaphile. I bought an 80W (should have gone bigger) Renogy with with charge controller on Ebay. It's connected to a pair of golf cart batteries as the fridge obviously needs power even when it's dark. I run an Engel fridge with it plus can charge devices.

If all you're looking to do is charge some devices, I would probably get a smaller panel (40W?) and charger, to go along with say a lawn mower battery. That would be good enough for charging 5V (USB) or 12V DC devices. I would not try to run an AC inverter to get 120V this way however.

In any solar system of any size you want a battery in order to be able to maintain constant voltage for whatever your needs are.

Eric

 

[spressomon]

FWIW About 7-years ago I bought a Powerfilm F16-3600 60W solar panel with a 4.5A/12v Solarguard controller from Adventure Trailers. I have only used it a few times since most of my forays included unique camp spots each night. But I found it to be conservatively rated and measured consistent 4.25-4.5A output on full sun conditions.

It did a perfect job of keeping my then dual Lifeline Group 31 batteries in the Kimberley fully topped off; once while camped 7-days in the same spot apart of an early season Chukar hunt. I had a Waeco fridge/freeze, lights, Webasto heater, plenty of LED lighting, etc.

I will be using it more consistently for upcoming fly fishing trips where we'll be camped up to a week in the same location...

 

[Semi Hex]

You should look at your loads and then determine the wattage you need in the panel. 100-150w should be fine for most people charging devices.

This is what all first timers really need to do. Once you determine your needs, the rest is pretty simple. I just got back from a five day trip (static) where I used a whopping 24.63 amp hours of power charging our iPads, iPhones and interior lights. I used 4.11 ah's using my water pump and less than 1 ah with my exterior lights. I also noticed I have a lot of phantom loads that you need to consider. My controller uses power all the time for example.

My setup includes a 105 ah battery and a 100 watt Renogy foldable panel. Yes, overkill but the best price for what I need.

 

[MrP]

I use a 120W solar panel hooked up through a CTEK D250S charger straight to a 120AH deep cycle battery in the engine bay. Plenty enough to run the 40L fridge and LED lights all over the place.

 

[Coastline]

I have been camping in High Desert of SoCal since the end of January and for the past 10 weeks at Mojave River Forks county park. I run a Zamp 80 watt portable and two 6 volt batteries and WFCO converter/charger. Night time LEDs and a Dometic CF 50 freezer refrigerator that is usually set to 27 degrees F and a smart (?) phone entertainment system. The WFCO quit on me recently and consequently, so did the CF 50. Until 2 weeks ago I was in 100% sun and I had bi passed the WFCO with direct wiring from the batteries to an inverter and the freezer did its job on 110 power all day. With ambient temps in the high 80s the CF 50 ran at 27 degrees.

Last week I relocated to a spot between two pine trees and now the Zamp only gets 4 hours of exposure. The batteries max out at about 11.5 volt. The CF 50, and probably all the rest of the 12 volt refrigerators, shut down at about 10.5 volts. Day time temps are now in the upper 90s and the 110 power now drains the batteries quickly and the CF 50 shuts down at around 60 degrees. Direct wiring to 12 volt works just fine.

Zamp recommends that cables not be longer than 30 ft when camping in the shade. I am a Zamp dealer.

Mitch Schliebs

 

[Semi Hex]

Zamp recommends that cables not be longer than 30 ft when camping in the shade. I am a Zamp dealer. Mitch Schliebs

What's really funny about having a longer lead is the fact that you fuss with the panel position more often. I have nearly 20 feet and I am always moving it into the correct position.

 

[Prairie Swamp]

What's really funny about having a longer lead is the fact that you fuss with the panel position more often. I have nearly 20 feet and I am always moving it into the correct position.

Ha ha I was moving my panel around all weekend because the trees keep getting taller every year! I think I have about 20 feet of cable but I made it from 12 ga. wire to handle at most 7 amps so I think I'm good.

Eric

 

[Steilm]

Most of the camper used to carry foldable solar panels and tools. Just like me I always carry a Solar lantern and a Solar Charger for my smartphones. As a good to go equipment you can carry solar panels for camping, here some info about the product and it's available on Amazon store with warranty. check here

RAVPower 16W Dual USB Solar Charger
The RAVPower 16W Dual USB Solar Charger is made with a waterproof and mold-resistant sewn rugged polyester canvas, which makes it a weather-resistant device that you could rely on when you need it most. It is equipped with 4 practical hooks to absorb more sunlight and 2 iSmart USB ports ideal for charging.

It's smaller but powerful design makes it ideal for most adventurous and outdoor activities such as backpacking, camping, hiking, and cycling. This device only weighs 23.9 ounces with a dimension of 31.89 x 10.24 inches when unfolded and 7.48 x 10.24inches when folded.

It's foldable and easy-to-carry design is perfect for outdoor adventures and activities. Its dual USB port design allows us to recharge two devices simultaneously.

That's my best pick for camping!

 

[4WD Swagman]

I've got a plug and play dual battery set up. Designed so the battery box can be removed from the vehicle and set up with solar panels if in camp for more than a couple of days. When in the vehicle the battery charges from the alternator as normal. When outside the vehicle it charges from the solar panels.

Bits:

Ebay 120W folding solar panel
100ah battery (ex-cellphone tower UPS batt - now in a 20mm ammo can) I have two of these but usually only carry one
Kick-Ass dual battery kit with VSR
Kick-Ass battery box (at the moment I'm just using the lid while I organise another timber insert with 12v, USB and Anderson sockets for the ammo can/battery box

I only use this if I'm taking the Waeco CF40 fridge freezer. Any other time, I simply need to power a toughbook laptop and maybe a phone and tablet for work, so I use the following:

40w solar blanket
18000mah Suaoki jump starter/power bank

The jump starter is charged from a 12v socket while driving and from the solar blanket when in camp. I have three CF19 Toughbook batteries so I usually rotate through them before I begin to charge them. Each toughbook battery gives me an average of 5 hours work time, which is more than I need for a day.