Camper Trailer Action — Issue 104 2017

5. SOLAR POWER

If you’re planning to stay in one spot for a few days

or longer, a solar panel could be the best option to

keep your camper’s batteries charged. They allow

you to use the extra added luxuries such as a fridge

and camp lighting without the need to start your

4WD. Not only does this save you fuel in the long

run, but it also provides a silent method of charging

your batteries. All solar panels require a regulator

to control the amount of charge released to the

batteries, so it’s important to consider this in the

overall cost of the solar system. However, many

models feature built-in regulators which could save

you money and installation time.

FOLDABLE SOLAR PANELS

When it comes to choosing an actual solar penal

design, you’ll need to decide whether a portable

or permanently mounted system is best for you.

Portable designs have a lot going for them in terms

of versatility. They fold away quite easily but as

with all portable equipment, they add to the task of

setting up camp. The overall size will have an affect

on how well they pack up with the larger panels

becoming quite bulky and often diffi cult to handle.

Soft roll-up panels are a relatively new innovation,

and while they won’t produce as much power,

they’ll work better in low light or partial shade.

Average Price Range: $300+

SOLAR TIPS

COLLYN RIVERS

• It’s quite common for camper trailer
  owners to experience solar problems
  when they’re travelling up north. This
  is largely due to the effective sun hours
  from August-May being only 70-80% of
  that down south. What’s even worse is
  solar module heat loss is greater, plus
  it’s almost as hot during the night as it is
  during the day which means your average
  fridge draws 40% - 50% more power. As a
  rough guide, unless your system can fully
  charge your batteries by midday down
  south, it has Buckley’s chance of coping
  up north, except during mid-winter.


• If your electrical system runs out of
  power, generally adding more battery
  capacity actually makes the situation
  worse, as it’s less effi cient to charge two
  batteries rather than just one. It’s like
  opening a second bank account for the
  same available money - you actually lose
  through paying a second lot of bank fees.
  You’re far better off increasing the solar
  capacity so it’s able to fully charge your
  batteries during the worst conditions.

For a complete rundown on solar charging

and camper trailer electrical systems,

check out Collyn’s articles and books at

http://www.caravanandmotorhomebooks.com.

For a quiet and effi cient method of

charging your batteries it’s hard to beat

solar panels and the sun

Portable solar penal allow you to position

them in the best possible location

PERMANENTLY

MOUNTED PANELS

With most soft fl oor campers, the drawbar

storage box is the only surface available large

enough to mount a solar panel, unless you own a

composite or hard top camper trailer. The main

advantage is there’s no need to set it up or pack it

away, plus it can be used as you travel. The main

disadvantage is the panel might not always be

in the best location to receive the most sunlight

which severely limits its effi ciency.

Average Price Range: $300+