↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home > Camping, Caravanning and Holidays > Solar charging and storage
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 1 of 3 123>
Print this entire topic · 
Stacey007



Member Since: 25 Sep 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3757

United Kingdom 
Solar charging and storage
Hello


This summer looks like we are UK touring and not always with Electric (camping)

I'm looking at solar power and a storage unit...

Mainly for charging phones, watches, but would be nice if it has enough power to run our coffee machine Smile


I've no idea what power etc I need.....


This storage unit looks a handy size and will be fine for phones etc?

https://www.sunstore.co.uk/product/yeti-15...r-station/


What sort of panels would I need? this particular company they range from 40w to 100W

https://www.sunstore.co.uk/product/12v-sol...briefcase/


In order to power a coffee machine am I asking too much of this small unit?


Thanks in advance
Post #769987 25th Apr 2019 10:49am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
gilarion



Member Since: 05 Dec 2013
Location: Wales
Posts: 5111

Wales 2007 Defender 90 Other CSW Trident Green
Quote:
In order to power a coffee machine am I asking too much of this small unit?


You would need a fairly large array of panels to power a coffee machine and a powerful inverter, so might be better buying a jar of instant Smile For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at..

http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1
Post #769991 25th Apr 2019 11:01am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Stacey007



Member Since: 25 Sep 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3757

United Kingdom 
^ My thoughts... Big Cry
Post #769996 25th Apr 2019 11:08am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Scotm



Member Since: 28 Feb 2014
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 666

Scotland 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Orkney Grey
Take a cafetiere or an old school expresso maker then you can get decent coffee using gas stove.
Post #770002 25th Apr 2019 12:02pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Keith5



Member Since: 27 May 2016
Location: Scotland
Posts: 354

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Santorini Black
I've got one of these for short trips and wild camping:

https://www.aeropress.co.uk/

Works great, minimal mess. Keith
Post #770008 25th Apr 2019 12:49pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
wyvern



Member Since: 13 Dec 2009
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 2117

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Firenze Red
Hi Stacy
we have a 2 battery set up in the 110 which runs heater, 240 inverter for camera and laptop battery charging, about 8 usb ports for watch, iphones kindle satnav and dashcam -all with no issues or shortage of power.

another option is to have a jump stater like this if you dont have a 2 bat set-up ... just charge it on the move. we have one that runs the beacon lights & hand held radio on my partner D5 and it works very well.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/YABER-20000mAh-Wat...&psc=1

We have a gas cooker on board that we use to make drinks and fresh coffee is provided for my better half via a stainless cafetrier and works very well.
(Early morning cuppas are made quicker by making a flask of hot water before bed and heating it up first thing...)
Thumbs Up Poppy - TDCI (Puma) 110XS 2.2 - Camper conversion - see the build here - https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic56530.html
Elgar -TDCI(Puma) 110XS Dormobile - now sold
Devon & Cornwall 4x4 Response - DC126
Post #770010 25th Apr 2019 12:50pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Stacey007



Member Since: 25 Sep 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3757

United Kingdom 
Thanks for the replies,


I'm thinking maybe a small board set up with an Inverter and plugs with a solar panel I can open on roof of car when set up feeding a caravan Leisure battery. Would this work?


What would I need in solar form to keep a leisure battery topped up.


Thanks
Post #770019 25th Apr 2019 1:32pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Stacey007



Member Since: 25 Sep 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3757

United Kingdom 
This idea?



Click image to enlarge



The unit has 2 USB's straight off it but if I added a battery and inverter I would have storage and more options?
Post #770022 25th Apr 2019 1:45pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Harry.O



Member Since: 25 Jul 2014
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 716

United Kingdom 1989 Defender 90 300 Tdi ST Nato Green
That looks about right. I have a 120w solar panel on the roof rack and that powers a fridge in the back with no issues, even when the interior reaches 34*C and the fridge is on full chat I've never experienced a flat battery. 2005 Td5 110 Hardtop
1989 300Tdi 90 Soft top
1992 200Tdi 90 Truck cab with Land Cruiser axles
Post #770025 25th Apr 2019 2:10pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Harry.O



Member Since: 25 Jul 2014
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 716

United Kingdom 1989 Defender 90 300 Tdi ST Nato Green
That looks about right. I have a 120w solar panel on the roof rack and that powers a fridge in the back with no issues, even when the interior reaches 34*C and the fridge is on full chat I've never experienced a flat battery. 2005 Td5 110 Hardtop
1989 300Tdi 90 Soft top
1992 200Tdi 90 Truck cab with Land Cruiser axles
Post #770026 25th Apr 2019 2:10pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Stacey007



Member Since: 25 Sep 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3757

United Kingdom 
Harry

Do you store the power or just charge directly from the roof?
Post #770030 25th Apr 2019 2:54pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Harry.O



Member Since: 25 Jul 2014
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 716

United Kingdom 1989 Defender 90 300 Tdi ST Nato Green
Hi Stacey, at the moment the Defender just has the starter battery. I went off on a last minute trip for a month around France and having purchased a fridge, installed the panel to keep the battery topped up whilst away. Over the month I never connected the vehicle battery to a mains charger and the 110 even sat without being started for a week with no issues despite the fridge running and the ignition on occasionally to charge phones.

This summer I will fit a 2nd battery for peace of mind along with a Victron VSR but the Heath Robinson approach worked fine.

From memory its a 120w panel to a 15A PWM charge controller and then to the primary battery (with a couple of fuses for safety). 2005 Td5 110 Hardtop
1989 300Tdi 90 Soft top
1992 200Tdi 90 Truck cab with Land Cruiser axles
Post #770033 25th Apr 2019 3:23pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
MartinK



Member Since: 02 Mar 2011
Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border)
Posts: 2665

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Orkney Grey
Stacey
I have this kit:
https://www.bimblesolar.com/offgrid/comple...;order=ASC
it will charge the battery of the Defender, but only when the sunlight is fairly strong, and directly positioned.
It wasn;t enough through winter to keep the battery (attached to the vehicle) topped-up, and I had to charge it with my c-tek. Seems enough for summer though withe the brighter/longer sun...
Hope this helps Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's)
Post #770035 25th Apr 2019 3:46pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Sphere



Member Since: 26 Apr 2013
Location: Midlands
Posts: 725

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Keswick Green
Always liked the geenbox lighting solution.

Www.greenboxlighting.co.uk

Simple and can have a built in solar charger, if I didn’t have a duel battery I would probably get one lift out and take around.
Post #770099 25th Apr 2019 7:47pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Sphere



Member Since: 26 Apr 2013
Location: Midlands
Posts: 725

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Keswick Green
Sorry link doesn’t appear to have copied correctly

https://m.facebook.com/Greenboxlighting/
Post #770100 25th Apr 2019 7:48pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Post Reply  Back to top
Page 1 of 3 123>
All times are GMT

Jump to  
Previous Topic | Next Topic >
Posting Rules
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



Site Copyright © 2006-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
DEFENDER2.NET RSS Feed - All Forums