Also very interested in replies for storage and phones etcD4 2010 HSE Santorini Black
D3 2005 SE Java Black - p/x to D4
D2 2001 GS - p/x to D3
D1 1998 - p/x to D2
6th Feb 2015 6:24 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26708
My Elddis Affinity came with a large solar panel on the roof. It charges the battery during the day. I have never had to charge the battery, and the motor mover works even after several weeks in storage. We have been on sites with no electric, and apart from the microwave not working, the battery never ran out in the evening, despite us watching our 12v TV and sat system.
All the interior lights are leds, which I think helps enormously.
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6th Feb 2015 7:21 pm
Brian_DL13
Member Since: 25 Aug 2013
Location: Teesdale
Posts: 1418
If you have a decent battery in the 'van and it's electrics are OK you'd be surprised how long the 12v lasts. Make sure you use the gas water heater and don't go mad with the TV and you should get a weekend out of it with no problem.
For longer periods I have a generator. Danger there is that if you're close to someone else they might object to the noise - though if you're sensible and just use it for an hour or so in the daytime to top up then you shouldn't have a problem. Other main downside with them is the weight.
I don't have solar but know people who have and swear by it. But to me it's most use in the summer when arguably you need it least.
6th Feb 2015 7:22 pm
Russtyp
Member Since: 09 Mar 2014
Location: abertridwr
Posts: 26
we currently have a 120 watt panel mounted on the roof. as the caravan is in storage away from the house the alarm and tracker put a little load on the leisure battery but we have gone away for the weekend and the odd weeks without Ehu without any problem and as my teenage daughter wont go any where without the phone or tv and they are on all the time we have managed easily but still have to take a generator for the hair dryer best thing we done
6th Feb 2015 9:46 pm
dubbs
Member Since: 18 Apr 2012
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 3626
The tv in our one is a 240v sounds like I need to change it, not that we tend to get a signal anyway!MY15 DIY Black Pack (Better than factory and half the price!)
Prospeed rock/tree sliders w/steps
HSE Winter wheels
TransK9 B24
Travall Cargo Guard
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6th Feb 2015 10:01 pm
Russtyp
Member Since: 09 Mar 2014
Location: abertridwr
Posts: 26
try asda bought a polariod led tv dvd for about 120 just check to see if there is an external power supply then got avtex 12volt lead from internet
6th Feb 2015 10:06 pm
mal_NW
Member Since: 04 Mar 2008
Location: Garstang, Lancs
Posts: 937
I put 2x100W solar on the roof to keep it topped up over winter as I have a tracker & camera on board. I usually have to charge it once over winter around December if its been a bleak winter. I have a 260aH battery and use approx 3 amps per day in storage.
I also go off grid in France when I went for the TDF and took a generator as well and had to use it once as I left the inverter on which takes quite a bit of stand by current. The panels charge approx 5amp in cloudy weather and 12amp max so could get 80amp charge in a day in France quite easily. The 1000W inverter charges at 20amps and I charge the battery after using approx 170-200amps.
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