Need to increase 12v capacity (34 Viewers)

[GAUDIE]

To any member who may be able to help.
I have a large solar panel est 110watt and 1 domestic battery which is not proving sufficient when I am not on a site. Any suggestions please as to how to increase the capacity of my 12v system? Unfortunately there is no space for an additional battery and no space on the roof for an additional solar panel.

 

[Richard n Ann]

To any member who may be able to help.
I have a large solar panel est 110watt and 1 domestic battery which is not proving sufficient when I am not on a site. Any suggestions please as to how to increase the capacity of my 12v system? Unfortunately there is no space for an additional battery and no space on the roof for an additional solar panel.

The answer is to get a lithium battery, same size, more capacity. Probably a new solar panel and mppt controller too

 

[oldiesontour]

As above plus maybe folding solar panel

 

[hja]

A bigger ah lithium may well be the same size as existing battery or a same size lithium. We replaced a lead acid with 230 ah lithium, instead of 100 ah and it still fits under the passenger seat in our Ducato van.

 

[Spriddler]

As above plus maybe folding solar panel

or a portable generator.........

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[Guigsy]

A bigger ah lithium may well be the same size as existing battery or a same size lithium. We replaced a lead acid with 230 ah lithium, instead of 100 ah and it still fits under the passenger seat in our Ducato van.

And a 100Ah lead acid only has about 50Ah of usable capacity. Whereas a 230Ah lithium battery can use pretty much all of its charge.

And lithium is more efficient too, so for every Ah you put in it, you get quite a bit more of that Ah back than you would with lead acid. So each bit of charge goes further.

And finally, lead acid has to trickle charge once it gets to about 3/4 full. So the sun might be out, but you can only put a few amps into the battery. So it might have clouded over before it's full. Meanwhile lithium can be charged at full speed until it's nearly full.

However, unless your van is only a few years old, you probably need to update your mains charger, solar charger and put a B2B charger in the feed from the alternator on order to support lithium. So for older vans, it's not a simple change.

 

[Otter Spotter]

Talk to either Vanbitz in Taunton or Offgrid power solutions https://offgridpower.solutions/
Who are closer to you, they can help with it all.

 

[Jabstatt]

I would beg to differ. You have a small Solar panel. Sorry.

You need more useable storage and much more solar.
Turn to 12v for as much kit as you can, ensure you minimise power used at 240 and increase capacity.
Lots of great stuff on here to guide you.


Tony

 

[pappajohn]

Not much you can do about solar other than a portable folding panel, but another battery or two can go anywhere if the inter-connecting wires are big enough.
Under bench seating or maybe under wardrobe floor if it's a false bottom.
But....no matter how many batteries you have you still need a way to charge them.