CARAVAN BATTERY & SOLAR SYSTEMS
The correct Battery and Solar System is an essential part of caravanning if you want to reduce costs down the track.
With your power system in your caravan, there is no need for powered sites or caravan parks. This means you can travel anywhere for as long as you want, providing you have the correct system to cater for your personal requirements.
Installing a battery and solar system to your caravan will not only improve your caravanning experience but reduce your carbon footprint. As the system is powered by the sun, you will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, creating less air pollution.
The size of the battery and solar system you will require depends on what it needs to power and for how long. When a battery is run until it is drained flat, it will damage the battery, its operation, and may need to be replaced.
There are four main components to a Caravan Solar System:
The solar panels, regulator, battery and inverter. DC energy (Direct Current) is collected by the solar panels to charge the battery, and the regulator ensures that the battery charges safely and correctly. The energy is stored in the battery and supplies power directly to your DC appliances. Inverters are also used for powering AC (Alternating Current) appliances.
If you are wanting to begin research on what will work best for your caravan, here are a few types of solar panels and batteries that are often used for battery and solar systems in caravans.
There are two main types of Caravan Solar Panels:
Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline. The main difference between the two is the type of silicone solar cell they use. Monocrystalline solar panels have solar cells made from a single cell of silicon, whilst polychrystalline solar panels have solar cells made from multiple silicone fragments melted together.
Polycrystalline solar panels have a lower efficiency, meaning their price point is lower. These solar panels are often chosen for a less expensive option. Polycrystalline solar panels have multi-crystal silicon, meaning the electrons have less room to move. The power generated from Polycrystalline solar panels is less efficient, but still a good option for a solar system.
There are many kinds of batteries that could be used for a Caravan Battery & Solar System. Three of the best are Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Deep Cycle, Gel and Lithium batteries.
AGM Deep Cycle Batteries are a type of lead-acid deep cycle battery.
These batteries work by the electrolyte being absorbed into a fibreglass mat. These batteries have a lower internal resistance, can handle higher temperatures and self-discharge slower than other batteries.
Gel Batteries, also called a 'Gel Cell',
is a lead-acid deep cycle battery that is valve regulated and has a gel electrolyte. These batteries do not need to be stored upright. The evaporation of electrolytes, spillage and corrosion issues that comes with other batteries are eliminated in this type of battery. Subsequently, they have a greater resistance to extreme temperatures, shock and vibration.
Lastly, Lithium Caravan Batteries.
Lithium batteries are primary batteries that have lithium as an anode. These types of batteries are also known as lithium-metal batteries. They stand apart from other batteries in their low discharge rate, slimline footprint, rapid recharge rate and operator usability.
Speak to one of our experienced team members at Caravan Repair Centre to ensure the system you choose is the best one for your caravan.