How To Get Solar Power For My Caravan
Caravan & Outdoor Life|May 2019

I want to update the Hercules 20 inverter in my caravan to a full sine wave inverter using 2 x 12 V batteries and solar charging panels. I am not sure how to mount the solar panels on top of the caravan, or on top of my single cab bakkie canopy (which I tow with).

How To Get Solar Power For My Caravan

So many questions: Do I purchase deep cycle batteries, or high cycle batteries or semi deep cycle batteries, or will “normal” car batteries do?

What capacity must the inverter be – will 900 W be quite sufficient?

What is a good brand that will last when used in this gravel-road caravan?

Then I must also fit a DC to DC charger to the bakkie – one that is intelligent enough to know which power source (alternator or solar panels) to use whilst travelling, and should it also be 24 V?

Has anybody ever done this? Deon Pheiffer

There is a short and a long reply to this... the short version would be to consult a solar company where you can speak to an expert, discuss your requirements and see the equipment. The longer version is my input on this page (as I understand it)!

For the shorter version, contact Andre du Rand at Victron Energy (adurand@ victronenergy.com) and he will direct you to your nearest expert solar company.

Now, the longer version. I presume you are looking for a sinewave inverter because you want the freedom of going off the grid, and require 220 V for AC appliances.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 2019 من Caravan & Outdoor Life.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 2019 من Caravan & Outdoor Life.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من CARAVAN & OUTDOOR LIFE مشاهدة الكل
Resorts Of The Month: Kruisrivier Guest Farm
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Resorts Of The Month: Kruisrivier Guest Farm

Off the beaten track and ideal for the off-roading camper

time-read
4 mins  |
June - July 2020
Lagoon And Beachfront Bliss
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Lagoon And Beachfront Bliss

Morgan Bay Campsite, EC

time-read
2 mins  |
June - July 2020
Conservation: The Endangered Vultures
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Conservation: The Endangered Vultures

Rating: The conservation of vultures in Africa is generally regarded as high priority, although limited resources are made available to assist with this important work.

time-read
5 mins  |
June - July 2020
Crisp, Clean Air & Gurgling Streams It Seems
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Crisp, Clean Air & Gurgling Streams It Seems

Old Mac Daddy, WC

time-read
2 mins  |
June - July 2020
Destination Of The Month: Transkei On The Fly
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Destination Of The Month: Transkei On The Fly

When the call came in from a fellow journalist, that his doctor had suggested he not travel due to a recent op, I had about a day to get everything prepared for an adventure to the Transkei Wild Coast.

time-read
10+ mins  |
June - July 2020
13 Top Tips For Outdoor Accessory Maintenance
Caravan & Outdoor Life

13 Top Tips For Outdoor Accessory Maintenance

You certainly don’t want to arrive at your holiday destination only to find your gas bottles are empty, the tent has been chewed to heavenly holiness by marauding mice, and you left grandma napping in the caravan when you put it out to pasture at your local Storage Land for the winter season.

time-read
2 mins  |
June - July 2020
our take on SNAKES
Caravan & Outdoor Life

our take on SNAKES

Caravan & Outdoor Life joins some of South Africa’s leading herpetologists in the Maputaland region to find rare species and teach the local rural residents how to react to snakes. With Opposite Lock on board, we’re all set to strike at a moment’s notice…

time-read
10 mins  |
June - July 2020
Caravan clinic
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Caravan clinic

Our expert answers your technical questions & gives camping advice

time-read
7 mins  |
June - July 2020
Around The Campfire
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Around The Campfire

Readers share their outdoor adventures and air their values

time-read
4 mins  |
April - May 2020
In The Shade Of A Dappled Glade
Caravan & Outdoor Life

In The Shade Of A Dappled Glade

Slanghoek Mountain Resort, WC

time-read
1 min  |
April - May 2020