In weather like this the solar panel might struggle to keep the batteries topped up.
Leaving aside generators (any suggestion of which will get you finger wagged to death) the other way of charging the batteries is via the car.
My own solution is to use one of the Lidl electronic chargers via an inverter in the boot. Obviously, you need a suitable box to put the battery in.
Using the charger via an inverter safeguards the vehicle wiring. The only downside is that (unless it's an expensive one) the inverter will put out a modified sine wave 240v. Delicate electronics are not supposed to like a modified wave - but the Lidl charger (which is quite sophisticated) doesn't seem to mind.
Even if the charger did finally fail, you'e only lost £15, or so.
That was my thought also. You could put in a proper split charge system but at the risk of being flamed you could just hook the battery up via a 12v lighter socket and some croc clips all fused of course. A safer option would be this...
As to the actual puzzle:
2 LED lamps at 1w ea = 0.17A.
TV at 18W = 1.5A.
Add the two together and round up = 2A (24W) for 2 hours
80W Solar with peak output = 6.7A
A single battery is more than capable of supplying the load so it a simple case of if the solar panel could replenish what is used. It is hardly ever going to provide the full 80W but as you can see it does not have to. We only need a third of that for 2 hours or less but for a longer.
So I don't think you need two batteries especially if you can charge one from the car from time to time. In fact you could probably get away with no panel or battery and just run direct from the car. If you were worried about the car battery going flat then use one of these...
Personally I would forget being NON EHU and take one. All this faffing around with battery chargers etc. Just plug the EHU in and be done with it. We have one and run an electric kettle, toaster, small mains radio and three 40 watt bulbs off ours.
------------- Pitdiver
Welsue's other half and also a ,Camper, Sailor and a nearly Outdoor Person.
Personally I would forget being NON EHU and take one. All this faffing around with battery chargers etc. Just plug the EHU in and be done with it. We have one and run an electric kettle, toaster, small mains radio and three 40 watt bulbs off ours.
------------- Pitdiver
Welsue's other half and also a ,Camper, Sailor and a nearly Outdoor Person.
I have an 80 watt solar panel with a 110amp batt in a caravan I use TV 2 to 3 hours a night depending how much wife is snoring we use the shower each day (12v pump for water) and 4 LED lights probably about 4 hours a night went away for a week no sun at all came back put the battery on charge and the charger sensor immediately lit up stating batt was fully charged. I also work on the fact I have a car with a batt so could recharge leisure batt for two days while using the car batt for one evening
Quote: Originally posted by Alfie1966 on 10/7/2012Hi Freebird I don't think you'd have to have a psychology degree to realise that children don't need a TV, Alfie...
Nope you don’t have to be a psychologist to know that children don’t need a lot of the things, but it’s usually the ‘psychologists’ or politicians that feel they have to keep telling us how to raise our children.
...And I couldn't answer what's gotten into people last night...
It was rhetorical Freebird…and I said ‘I don’t know’ not ‘will some one please tell me’ that’s a great example of the kind of important detail that some folk on here miss when reading posts.
...G'won; tell us, then Alfie? What's gotten into you last night?...
In the interest of not turning this thread into an example of what bothered me in the first place (which would be a true case of irony) I’ll try and keep it short...
I come on here (when I get the chance) because I enjoy reading the posts, and I genuinely like to help people if I can (‘help’ being the operative word) Now let me make something clear before I carry on: I love a good debate…and I mean ‘really’ love a good debate, but I know the difference between having the right to an opinion and having the right to give it. If someone invites debate by asking for opinions or thoughts, or if something affects you directly, then yes, by all means get stuck in. But when someone asks for a solution to a problem and the thread gets turned into an open soap box, then that bothers me.
Oh dear! I’ve said too much. I have actually done exactly what I find so irritating i.e. I have let my self get dragged into a superfluous discussion that had nothing to do with the original post or the person I am discussing it with (the original comment was in regard to Bernie and Rob’s comments) Shame on me And my apologies to you grimbk…I’ll get mi coat…
Alfie
PS: Errrrm me again - I nearly forgot this bit:
...I like your observation about trawling hunters on this website. Somehow, I recognise that, too but thought it was me... Your confirmation is consoling in a way...
I do so admire self awareness freebird....but not much use when you don’t pay heed and adapt...my coats on now promise
Post last edited on 10/07/2012 10:20:35
Hallo Alfie,
I commend you for trying to give a helpful answer to the original posters question if only you did. Instead, you attacked another long term fellow member with sniding remarks about being a psychologist or even the perfect parent. THen you impose your opinion about different types of energy used and making a sniding remark about what people are like "on here", which provoked me into making my lightheartedly meant comment on your post, Alfie, I'm not sorry to say.
Also, you didn't read my last remark very well, did you? you seemed to have missed a "," in my agreeing comment on your remark about lurking people...
Now, on the OP question and my opinion for what it is worth, if I may:
Don't put yourself in knot over whether or not you are well enough equipped to go camping without EHU. We're a helpful lot and will happily answer you questions and show you examples of their own set ups for you to make up your mind about your own. Better not buy too much stuff you might not want after all when you see something more to your liking. Go minimally equipped, make sure you are dry, warm, can sit and sleep comfortably and see what else you need when you're on camp site. Far better and more honest information than any large camping shop could give you.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Have i prepared enough for None EHU
And my apologies to you grimbk…I’ll get mi coat…
