Harnessing solar power for your camper van involves a strategic process to ensure you generate sufficient energy to power your adventures. Understanding your gadget consumption and portable solar panel capabilities aids in procuring the right equipment, ensuring an efficient and well-fitted setup.
Step 1: Calculating Power Consumption
Begin by assessing your gadgets’ power consumption to gauge your solar energy needs. Utilize your leisure battery’s Ah rating to determine the daily power usage. For instance, if a 200Ah battery fuels your devices for two days, your calculation would be 200 / 2 = 100Ah per day.
Take into account the power draw of all electrical devices to estimate your camper’s power requirements accurately.
Step 2: Assessing Solar Energy Requirement
Once you’ve gauged your power needs, focus on determining the solar panel type and size required. A solar panel’s wattage directly impacts its charging capacity for your battery bank. Calculate the usable capacity of your battery bank in watt-hours (Wh). For example, considering an 80% discharge limit for a 200Ah LFP battery, the functional capacity would be 200Ah * 80% = 160Ah.
Convert these amp-hours (Ah) to watt-hours (Wh) by multiplying with the battery voltage: 160Ah x 12V = 1920Wh.
Account for the sun’s angle, especially since campervan solar panels are typically roof-mounted. While this may marginally affect efficiency in summer, it significantly impacts performance during winter.
Introducing the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus
For those seeking a camper van solar system catering to smaller energy needs, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus emerges as a versatile solution:
Solar Battery Specifications: Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station
Capacity: 2042.8Wh, equipped with a 3000W Inverter (6000W Surge)
Outputs: 7 Ports designed for outdoor devices
Recharge Options: Featuring 3 Ways to Recharge (Car charging, AC and solar charging via the Jackery SolarSaga 100W Solar Panel included in this set)
Attributes: A Safe, Clean, and Quiet Solar Generator; Compact and Lightweight for enhanced portability
Portable Solar Panel Specifications: Jackery SolarSaga 100W Solar Panel
Attributes: Waterproof and Foldable design for convenience and durability
Conclusion
The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus offers a balanced blend of power and portability, perfectly suited for smaller energy requirements. Paired with its companion solar panel and the best solar battery(Australia), this setup presents a hassle-free and efficient energy solution for your camper van adventures.