DC Load Calculations

[bdosborn]

I was waiting for a meeting to start yesterday and used the time to jot down some calculations of electrical loads and battery life for my teardrop. I was gung-ho on adding a solar power to my tear and now I'm not so sure I want one. All my calculations are based on two 6v golf cart batteries and an 80 watt solar panel. I tried to make the loads worst case but I think I'm probablly being a bit optimistic on the PV array output. I'm thinking the money spent on the solar array would be better spent on a super quiet honda generator. For me, the bottom line is that the entire roof would need to be covered with solar array in order to be self sufficient for an indefinate amount of time. I also don't typically stay in one spot longer than a couple of days, which means I can recharge the batteries from the truck.

http://home.comcast.net/~bdosborn/tear/ ... _Calcs.pdf

Bruce

[campadk]

Hi Bruce,

Hey! According to your calculations you plan on 4 hours on your laptop! Thats not camping! :-)

I did a bunch of calculations myself, mainly when we were using a Koolatron (big mistake), and considered a solar panel.

In the end we ditched the Koolatron and figured we were fine without the solar panel (keep it simple). Yes indeed.. we are good for at least 4 days of camping with our 130RC deep cycle marine battery before charging, most likely could last 6 days.

My calculations can be found at http://campadk.com/pjsnoozer/pjfeatures.html

I think we use the most juice running my two strings of Coleman Xmas lights more than anything (approx 3 hours each night). Galley light maybe gets 2 hours of use at night.. if that. Cabin light 30 min maybe at night. Galley radio about 4 hours. Heater... rarely use it. In cabin DVD player... about 1/2 hour each night (we end up falling asleep by this time).

Worst case, upgrade your battery and you'll be laughing, and without the hassle of totting around and hooking up a solar panel.

[mikeschn]

Bruce,

I remember camping in NY last year, where there was no sun at all on the campground. What would you do then?

Mike...

[bdosborn]

Bruce,

I remember camping in NY last year, where there was no sun at all on the campground. What would you do then?

Mike...

Go west young man! 300 days a year of sunshine in Colorado. Or I could just start the truck and charge the batteries from it. Or maybe I really, really need a little generator.
Bruce