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  • #1

    Solar power

    Before i get told to use the search buton i have searched, high and low infact and i cant find a great deal here. Just interested to hear how people are running solar. ie what cells, invertors, and how are they mounted etc.

    cheers

    Steve
    Lightforce 240Blitz driving lights, Rear hitch recovery point, GME tx3400 uhf, 64watt Uni-Solar cell, ARB CKMA12 Air compressor. all awaiting new vehicle to be delivered so they can be remounted.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Hi Steve

    I run solar for my camper which has fridge and lighting. The car charges the AGM battery in the camper when travelling and the solar does the job while camping. I have a freestanding fold-up 80 watt portable unit (2x40watts). I decided to go portable so that I don't need to park the camper in the sun and don't need to worry about parking angles. I use a cable to lock it to the camper or to a tree. The power connects to a plug on the outside of the camper and I have a solar regulator mounted in the camper which manages power to the battery. It's simple to setup at the campsite.
    I find that if the sun is shining, 80 watts is plenty to do the job. It keeps the battery full, but if you only get a couple of hours sunshine in the day, more panels would be handy.
    AndrewH
    08 Prado VX D4D, ARB bullbar, Warn 9.5XP winch, Bilstein/Lovell suspension, Polyair's, ARB diff locker & air pump, Safari snorkel, Ausguard cargo barrier, Lightforce 170 HID driving lights, GME TX3440 CB, Brown Davis bashplate, Sandgrabba Mats, Scanguage II, Rotronics independent 3 battery management (3rd in camper), Kenwood DDX8039 with Nav, Reversing camera and sensors, Blaupunkt compact powered woofer, Custom drawers, Bushman fridge, Cooper ATRs onroad & STTs offroad, PressurePro 6 wheel TPMS, Steinbauer Module.

    Comment

    • #3
      Hi Steve,

      We have a trakshak trailer with 3x65w panels on it. We have made adjustments to the panel frame to allow angle adjustments. This charges 2x 120ah agms. This setup is mainly used to run 2x40L waecos, 1 as a fridge and 1 as a freezer aswell as lighting. Prado also has dual batteries which is used for charging everything and backup for fridges if required.

      Good luck.
      2006 D4D VX - lots of bits
      Trak Shak camper

      Comment

      • #4
        Steve,
        We have a similar set-up to AndrewH, but went 100 watts, two BP 50 watt panels joined together. The regulator is on the solar panels and I just connect the lead directly to the battery that needs charging. I too use a cable and lock to deter would be thieves. 80 - 100 watts should do most people who just run one fridge and a few lights and night.

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Solar power

          Anyone have any experience with the Kulkyne range of solar kits? I'm looking at getting one as part of my camper trailer set-up.
          [B][SIZE=4]ntp
          [/SIZE][/B][COLOR=#000040][B][SIZE=1]Love the Outback............. Love my Prado.[/SIZE][/B][/COLOR]
          [I][SIZE=1][URL="http://i520.photobucket.com/albums/w328/ntpryce/Picture23.png"]My Prado[/URL][/SIZE][/I], [I][SIZE=1][URL="http://i520.photobucket.com/albums/w328/ntpryce/MyExtras.png"]My Extras[/URL][/SIZE][/I]
          [B]4wdriving First Party[/B][COLOR=#0000ff] - [/COLOR][B][COLOR=#0000ff]dןǝɥ ɹoɟ ןןɐɔ 'sıɥʇ pɐǝɹ uɐɔ noʎ ɟı[/COLOR][/B]

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Solar power

            Okay, I've finally decided to go with the Kulkyne 100 watt solar kit with an anderson plug connector to link to other applications including my camper trailer, fridge, etc. This along with my spare battery set-up should keep us pretty self sufficient on any camping trip.

            [B][SIZE=4]ntp
            [/SIZE][/B][COLOR=#000040][B][SIZE=1]Love the Outback............. Love my Prado.[/SIZE][/B][/COLOR]
            [I][SIZE=1][URL="http://i520.photobucket.com/albums/w328/ntpryce/Picture23.png"]My Prado[/URL][/SIZE][/I], [I][SIZE=1][URL="http://i520.photobucket.com/albums/w328/ntpryce/MyExtras.png"]My Extras[/URL][/SIZE][/I]
            [B]4wdriving First Party[/B][COLOR=#0000ff] - [/COLOR][B][COLOR=#0000ff]dןǝɥ ɹoɟ ןןɐɔ 'sıɥʇ pɐǝɹ uɐɔ noʎ ɟı[/COLOR][/B]

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Solar power

              I've finally received my Kulkyne 100 watt solar kit. The delay in delivery was caused due to a lack of stock in Australia.

              It looks a beauty and comes with a handy padded carry bag. Will post more information once I've had a chance to give a proper test. 8)
              [B][SIZE=4]ntp
              [/SIZE][/B][COLOR=#000040][B][SIZE=1]Love the Outback............. Love my Prado.[/SIZE][/B][/COLOR]
              [I][SIZE=1][URL="http://i520.photobucket.com/albums/w328/ntpryce/Picture23.png"]My Prado[/URL][/SIZE][/I], [I][SIZE=1][URL="http://i520.photobucket.com/albums/w328/ntpryce/MyExtras.png"]My Extras[/URL][/SIZE][/I]
              [B]4wdriving First Party[/B][COLOR=#0000ff] - [/COLOR][B][COLOR=#0000ff]dןǝɥ ɹoɟ ןןɐɔ 'sıɥʇ pɐǝɹ uɐɔ noʎ ɟı[/COLOR][/B]

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Solar power

                I got out the new solar panel kit and tested it a little over the weekend to see how it operated. Very quick and easy to set-up. Just take out of bag, open array up, pull leg stands out and place array into sunlight before connecting 10m power cable with anderson plug to battery, appliance or trailer - easy.

                Here's a few pics of the set-up:

                Padded canvas bag supplied:


                Rear view:


                Closer view of rear leg stand:


                All set up:
                [B][SIZE=4]ntp
                [/SIZE][/B][COLOR=#000040][B][SIZE=1]Love the Outback............. Love my Prado.[/SIZE][/B][/COLOR]
                [I][SIZE=1][URL="http://i520.photobucket.com/albums/w328/ntpryce/Picture23.png"]My Prado[/URL][/SIZE][/I], [I][SIZE=1][URL="http://i520.photobucket.com/albums/w328/ntpryce/MyExtras.png"]My Extras[/URL][/SIZE][/I]
                [B]4wdriving First Party[/B][COLOR=#0000ff] - [/COLOR][B][COLOR=#0000ff]dןǝɥ ɹoɟ ןןɐɔ 'sıɥʇ pɐǝɹ uɐɔ noʎ ɟı[/COLOR][/B]

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Solar power

                  Heres a really good site I found one day all about camper trailers and accociated stuff-

                  http://www.campertrailers.org/tech_tips.htm
                  97 Vitara 1.6 JX Day Tripper(550klms range), 98 Prado V6 LPG GXL for Touring (1400klms range), Offroad Cub Camper for Overnight.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Solar power

                    With the rain this weekend stopping my bike ride and the Prado away on Scout duty I finally got around to making some decent supports to mount the solar panel easily in the roof rack. My bodged last minute effort in December relied on bolting aluminium angles to the panel and then bolting these onto the roof rack. All up took over half an hour to fit and the panels had to be wriggled around to put them in the rack. Tightening up the bolts etc was also tedious with a risk of scratching paint and dropping spanners onto the roof.

                    I used Alzone clamps as recommended by Steve (from the famous Steve and Sandra) and some aluminium unistrut. The whole thing can be fitted now in less than 10 minutes. Must say I was a bit dubious about the holding power of the clamps but they are fantastic. By using unistrut I can have speed nuts on the clamps and they bolt in with a couple of turns of the nut. Nylock nuts mean you need a spanner to take the panel off but I might make an arrangement where I can put a padlock up there too. The clamps were only $3 or $4 each from memory.

                    The cable can now be run pretty much as I please through the roofrack and down the snorkel because I can still reach the junction box under the panels.







                    I fitted an Anderson power pole plug to the end of the lead from the panels and will get around to fitting its mate under the bonnet. Great plugs, small and reliable. Totally bomb proof.
                    My 150 build - http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?27423-A-Random-approach-to-a-Bluestorm-150-GXL-D4D-automatic

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: Solar power

                      I love my solar panels - they worked a treat during our Central Australia and Outback SA trip:



                      Plus - its a good 'green' look. :wink:
                      [B][SIZE=4]ntp
                      [/SIZE][/B][COLOR=#000040][B][SIZE=1]Love the Outback............. Love my Prado.[/SIZE][/B][/COLOR]
                      [I][SIZE=1][URL="http://i520.photobucket.com/albums/w328/ntpryce/Picture23.png"]My Prado[/URL][/SIZE][/I], [I][SIZE=1][URL="http://i520.photobucket.com/albums/w328/ntpryce/MyExtras.png"]My Extras[/URL][/SIZE][/I]
                      [B]4wdriving First Party[/B][COLOR=#0000ff] - [/COLOR][B][COLOR=#0000ff]dןǝɥ ɹoɟ ןןɐɔ 'sıɥʇ pɐǝɹ uɐɔ noʎ ɟı[/COLOR][/B]

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Re: Solar power

                        Can I suggest this place for lots of info on solar for campers. Good site and I think there are some PP members on there as well(besides me)
                        http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?board=9.0
                        Can't we just keep travelling?
                        Travelling Panelbeater
                        Follow us on Facebook... Mr & Mrs Whitey's Great Oz Trek

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Re: Solar power

                          Bought one of these off Ebay a few weeks back....... Very sceptical at the price.

                          But I have had it hooked up to the Camper for a week now, and battery now charged to full capacity.

                          120W, 5mtrs lead, regulator and padded bag for storage all for $350...... It will do me.

                          http://cgi.ebay.com.au/120-watt-Solar-P ... 2a09c43a40

                          If you go for it make sure you use the Best Offer Tab, not the Buy it Now tab. :mrgreen:
                          [color=#0040FF]Rob[/color]
                          [color=#0040BF]2012 Altitude D4D &
                          04 Jayco Eagle Outback[/color]

                          Comment

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