HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR SOLAR REQUIREMENTS

 Finding which solar panel is best suited to you can be a daunting task. Purchase one with an output that is too low, and you’re left powerless. Spend big on a top of the range, extra-large panel to later find out you only need to use small portion of the output, and you’ve unnecessarily overspent. One way to avoid making the wrong purchase is to calculate your equipment’s power usage. This will ensure you create a solar power set up that’s tailored to you. Here are a few tips to help get you started…




1. Calculate your daily consumption

Fridge 30-40 Amps per day

Lighting 4 -6 Amps per day

Phones/Tablets 4 Amps per day

Most basic campsites will consume 40-50 Amps per day

*Tip: Go camping with a fully charged battery and see how long the battery powers your appliances for. Most devices will have a power draw lablelled on the product. Work out how long your equipment was able to operate on a single charge to calculate its overall power draw.

2. Daily consumption to power pack/battery compatibility

Your battery or power pack should always be double the capacity of your daily consumption. For example, if you are using 30-50Amps per day your battery/power pack should be a minimum of 70-100Ah.

3. Solar to power pack/battery compatibility

As the solar panel/s will be powering the battery, it will need to have twice the capacity (of the battery). For example, a 70AH battery requires a 120-150W of solar or a 100AH battery should have 180-220W of solar and so on. This allows for cloudy conditions or whatever else might obstruct direct sunlight over your campsite. *Tip: If you aim to get 50% of your maximum solar output as an average on each trip, you should be fine.

4. Basic set up

What we’ve listed above will be enough to power a basic set up in reasonable conditions. Most campers, however, will carry more than one power pack and solar charger, especially if they are heading off-grid (some will take as many as they can pack!). We recommend taking at least one extra set in case you come across poor weather or unclear solar conditions.

5. Always face the sun

To get the most out of your solar charger it is important to always have the unit facing the sun. That means turning and repositioning it multiple days a day (midday, early - mid-afternoon & at night to catch the sunrise).


  • The above content is reprinted from https://www.companionoutdoor.com/


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Role of Portable Outdoor Solar Panels in Wilderness Survival

Image
 As outdoor enthusiasts, we all know that staying connected and powered up in the great outdoors can be a challenge. That's where portable solar panels come in handy. These lightweight and compact devices have become increasingly popular among hikers, campers, and other outdoor adventurers, as they provide a reliable and eco-friendly source of power in remote areas. In this blog, we will explore the benefits and applications of portable outdoor solar panels in wilderness survival. First and foremost, portable solar panels are an excellent source of energy for charging electronic devices such as smartphones, GPS devices, and cameras. In the wilderness, these devices can be essential tools for communication, navigation, and documenting your journey. With a portable solar panel, you can ensure that your devices are always powered up and ready to use.   In addition to charging electronic devices, portable solar panels can also be used to power essential equipment such
Read more

Solar charging panel review: Fearless charging outdoors!

Image
 I chose the MoolSun solar panel, and then I will show you its evaluation. [Product Display] 1. Appearance display The overall design looks very cool, and the color combination of green and black is full of technology. The charging pad is folded, and despite the three-layer thickness (12.8*7.5*0.6 Inches (when folded)), it is still very thin, and the weight of 1.63lbs (0.74kg) is very light in the hand. When unfolded, there are three mono silicon panels that can convert solar energy into electricity for various devices outdoors. This solar panel also has a unique design with a foldable support frame that allows the panel to be fixed at a better angle to capture more sunlight! There is also a thoughtful design of small lugs on the side, which can be paired with mountain buckles, not only to attach the solar panels to your backpack to carry around, but also to lower branches for more sunlight on outdoor trips!                            The charging interface is on the surface of the sol
Read more

How to choose solar panels for RVs

Image
 The sun not only gives us life, it also continuously transmits energy to us on Earth. Can we convert this energy into electricity to power our electrical equipment? To achieve this, we need to use the solar panel device.   Solar panels, also known as solar panels, are devices that directly or indirectly convert solar radiation into electrical energy through the photoelectric effect or photochemical effect by absorbing sunlight. With it we can provide clean, quiet power to the RV and recharge the battery when the sun comes out. But before buying solar panels and modules, you should find out which type of solar panel is best for you.   In this article, we'll chat about the types of RV solar panels, the best places to install them, and the power levels.   When choosing a solar panel, there are some key terms to keep in mind:   Monocrystalline, polycrystalline or amorphous rigid and flexible Fixed and Portable       Types of solar panels Solar panels mainly
Read more