Going solar for camping/expedition/overlanding trips

[Corey]

I have been doing lots of research on this subject over at Expos forum.
It seems a 62 watt unit is good to power an ARB/Engel fridge during the day time.

If I get one (very likely here soon) I would not be using it with the accessory kits plugs to plug something into, but I would hook it up to my aux. battery in the rig to keep it topped off.

Here are the essentials of what you need:

1. GLOBAL SOLAR DESERT CAMO FOLDABLE SOLAR PANEL P3-62W (Ebay link)
His buy it now for $525 is a great price for a new one.
These go for around $800 and higher as seen here.
Retail price of a Global Solar P3-62 62W 12V Portable Power Pack Black



But you still need two more accessories to complete the job:

2. Global Solar Accessory Kit
Which contains the various outlets if you want to plug your fridge directly to it, and battery clamps to keep your main or aux. battery topped off.



3. Global Solar 7 amp Charge controller
Also needed to plug first into the solar panel, then the accessories in #1 above plug into this unit to prevent overcharging your rigs batteries.



Anyone here running a solar setup for camping?
This would be very cool, as I would not have to worry about running down either battery (I have a dual battery setup in my rig) when running stuff while camping.

Also pulling power from the rig is the light inside my tent, and possibly more items later.

[Toledo FJ]

Man, you do some seriously hi-tech camping! I'm a minimalist camper.... A few layers, a bag of trail mix, bag, pack, water purification pump (or iodine), some guns and I'm good to go. Smooth rocks and sticks make great toilet paper.... seriously, rocks are better that T-P.

Anyhow, back to vehicle based living.... That is a nifty setup. I've been interested in putting in solar panels for a while.. just as emergency backup if both batteries somehow die, or my communication equipment needs charging, etc.. I know some people have installed Brunton solar panels, but don't know who.

You're vehicle has more amenities than many people's homes! Nice work. I always like reading about your new toys.

[Corey]

Thanks

I use to be into the minimalist thing many years ago when I use to backpack around Mt. Rainier for a week at a time back in the late 70s/early 80s.

Then I got married, got a tent trailer, two kids, had to move up to a more luxuries to keep the family happy.

My setup by far though is still minimal compared to RV camping.
But I do like to be comfortable in my old age
My tent trailer setup by far I had more equipment to stay dry and comfortable for a weeks vacation.

Yes, I do think the solar thing will work out good, especially for a week long trip.

[DAGORED]

I just picked up the new ARB refridge and my understanding of its requirements is a constant voltage supply ie no big fluctuations in power, so directly hooking up to a auxiliray battery makes the most sense. Hooking the solar panel to the auxilary battery to keep it fully charged seems to me to be the best way to go. A battery is kind of a voltage regulator in a way able to soak up excess amps/voltage and keep items hooked up to the battery safe from damaging fluctuations in power supply. I believe i'am correct on this, but if not someone who really knows what they are doing please correct me. Also Corey did you use the dirtyparts kit for your auxilary battery set up?

[Corey]

DAGORED previously said:

, but if not someone who really knows what they are doing please correct me. Also Corey did you use the dirtyparts kit for your auxilary battery set up?

No, same setup that Wayne used.
He helped me with the dual 12v outlets, then I got the same tray he has, and he modified it to fit for me.

12v outlets

dual battery setup

Yes, the main use I will get from the solar setup is to keep the batteries topped off.
If I ever get back to working on my ham license, I would be powering the ham setup too to try yakking on it while out camping.

[BirdMan]

I've been thinking along these lines as well. Just my 2 cents for solar, you need the sun. Most times you try to camp in the shade or you create it.
Solar gathering is optimum when the panel is direct to the sun. For a roll out panel like that, that will most likely be laid flat on the ground, will only be at it's peak charging ability during mid day,(direct sun). Solar panels need to be adjusted to continually face direct sun for peak performance. Huge PITA from my experience desert camping. So it would be costly, but IMO, the ultimate set up would be 3 of those. 1 at a 45 for morning gathering, 1 on top for mid day (direct), 1 at a 45 the other way for afternoon gathering. With that set up you could be self sustained for quite some time. I realize the ARB draw is very little, but with the right set up, you could have a tent fan,lights, a small inverter for simple conveniences. Good luck with your search.

BirdMan

[DAGORED]

Corey, once again thanks for the info. A very clean fuse block/12v install since I plan to permantly mount my fridge next to my 110v outlet i wanted the 12v outlet in the same area, the way you mounted yours is perfect. Doug

[Corey]

You are welcome.
I no longer have the fridge there though.

Fridge moved

Fridge rehinged to open "WIDE"

BirdMan, that would cost a small fortune to have that many panels, but it sure would be nice.

[Dissident]

This guy went solar, wind, and biodiesel!

The Green RV - NYTimes.com

[Corey]

Dang, even wind power.
If only we could harness the power of the worlds smallest wind instrument.
We could power many things with its after effect.