This is the second (and final) part of my introduction to basic electrical theory – for owners of motorhomes and caravans. In this section we will look at watts (and we all know that solar panels are rated in watts) and also the connection of batteries in both series and parallel. But before we launch [...]
Presented here, in a very easy to understand format, is basic electrical theory. This is the stuff that I learned in my first year as an apprentice electrician (and that was just after they invented digital watches). This basic knowledge is an absolutely essential grounding if you are to have any hope of installing, repairing [...]
Installing Solar Panels Correctly on your Motorhome or Caravan So you have decided to install solar panels onto your caravan or motorhome – great! Here are some important tips that will help you to get the most out of your expensive solar panels. Wiring size Take care with the size of the wiring. Using cable [...]
240v fridge or a low voltage fridge for your motorhome or caravan. Yesterday I was asked for my advice on the purchase of a refrigerator for a motorhome. Under consideration were a 240v 220ltr household fridge and a 12/24v 220ltr Danfoss compressor based unit (Waeco). I was asked to comment on the economics of each [...]
Shade Tolerant Solar Panels? I have heard a number of travelers repeat the great “shade tolerant” sales pitch given them, when selecting solar panels for their motorhome or caravan. Much of this is just that – sales pitch. Firstly, nobody in their right mind is going to intentionally locate their expensive solar panel in the [...]
Not sure if your expensive solar panels are doing their job? Here is some simple tests that you can do to determine how your solar panels are performing. A solar panels currency is current (measured in amps) – so you are going to need some method of measuring current. Some solar regulators have a display [...]
No matter whether you are a “The glass is half full” kind of person or a “The glass is half empty” type, you will agree that one advantage of drinking from a glass is that you can see just how much of the liquid remains. Sadly our motorhome and caravan batteries are not like that [...]
This is a question we get asked often. Once fellow travellers discover that I have an electrical background and training, I am regularly asked to examine their solar installation to determine why it is not working. Here is a list of the top 5 causes for Solar that does not perform on caravans and motorhomes [...]
My brother-in-law recently purchased a pure sine wave inverter via eBay. In the supplied information the inverter looked like the perfect replacement for his modified sine wave “Xantrex” brand inverter (that has performed flawlessly for a number of years). The inverter purchased is currently selling (on ebay) for $579 plus $135 shipping When the inverter [...]
Most people who have anything to do with solar power know that a solar regulator is necessary. Not too many of these people understand the exact function of a solar regulator or how it does what it does. For the purpose of this discussion and unless I state otherwise, I will be talking about the [...]
I was browsing some motorhome websites yesterday and I came across the Ozbus site (http://www.ozbus.com – Note 29/09 – this site has now gone!) an interesting site that features a lot of information about building you own motorhome. I was very interested to read that they had decided not to use LPG gas in their [...]
As we travel, we often meet people who are in caravans and mobile homes. It always surprises me how many people continue to have issues with the electrical systems. In most cases the conversation starts with “why does my fridge cut-out during the night” or perhaps “my caravan lights go very dim by about 10pm”. [...]
We often get asked “how many solar panels do I need?”. The person asking the question normally expects me to look at the size of their caravan/motorhome then immediately offer a valid technical opinion. To offer any kind of meaningful answer a number of factors must be known: Average daily power consumption (normally measured in [...]
For someone wanting to equip their motorhome or caravan with solar panels to collect free power from the sun, there is an almost endless list of technical terms rumours and myths to wade through. Terms like polycrystalline, amorphous and temperature co-efficient to name just a few. Sales pitch aside, how is the average person supposed to [...]
Setting up a motorhome electrical system for long term travel Having now lived in our motorhome for over 6 years, and during that time almost constantly tweaked and tuned the electrical system, we feel that we have got it pretty much right. So what makes a good electrical system in a motorhome? The answer [...]
Billions of dollars are now being spent annually on alternative energy research. Some of us have been living almost entirely on renewable energy for years. However, all this research is making our lives a little easier. New and improved products are emerging thick and fast, fuelled by the now much larger market created by the [...]
Most caravanners and motorhomers rely on battery power to some degree or other. If you have been listening to the experts, you will know that the best way to ensure a long and productive life for your expensive deep cycle batteries is to pay close attention to how the batteries are charged and to what [...]