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RV Living Why You Should Consider Solar Power
alf a lifetime ago, when self-sufficiency, it also saves
my wife and I first got a enough money to recover your
taste for remote RV living, outlay in under three months.
we decided very early on that Even today.
solar power had to be the way to
go. Despite rapid advances in For example, a 30-watt,
solar technology -- even way back self-regulating solar panel costs
then -- many fellow travelers around $280 to $350 here in
were surprised when they learned Australia. If you then factor in
our RV was “solar powered”. a no-maintenance, deep-cycle
battery of at least 75 amp-hour
Granted, that tiny capacity -- to be installed in
house-on-wheels was getting on in the RV -- at maybe $180, plus
years, and there was still a suitable cabling, a salable
general belief among caravanners plastic battery box (vented to
and motorhomers that solar power the outside), and miscellaneous
was “too expensive” and “too hardware for, say, $50 more, your
technical”. But whatever their total outlay shouldn’t be much
reasons, I’m here to tell you over $600.
that solar-charged 12 volt
battery power was then, and still After that, every night you make
is, worthy of serious use of your on-board power, on a
consideration -- regardless of “no hook-ups” campsite, you stand
the size or age of your traveling to save between $15 and $25 on
rig. tourist park fees. Sometimes
more. On those figures, the whole
In fact, even the most basic set-up pays for itself in maybe
system -- such as ours was then 30 nights or less!
-- provides not only a
significant boost in True, sufficient power would
normally be available from your that point on are free.
towing vehicle’s standard battery
over one or two nights, but if However, there is a downside.
the vehicle doesn’t move for two (Isn’t there always?) A fixed
or three days the engine will solar array -- on the RV roof,
almost certainly need a run for for instance -- needs to be
an hour or more to “top up” the receiving the sun’s rays long and
charge taken out of the battery. strong to adequately replenish
And with single-battery set-ups, the battery’s charge. Parked too
there is always a risk of long in the shade, or suffering
over-using your power, resulting through a lengthy stretch of
in a flat battery! rain-filled skies, can knock out
a single-battery power supply in
On the other hand, if you prefer two or three days, even with
the overnight security and judicious use. For that reason,
companionship of a tourist park, some travelers have an
an unpowered site -- those nice, additional, portable solar panel
quiet spots down the back -- that can be constantly
saves maybe $3 - $8 per night. repositioned to catch the sun’s
Which means you could still have most direct rays, for as long as
your investment back in the bank possible.
within six months.
Nevertheless, in the four years
No matter how you look at it, we owned that well-traveled
solar was -- and is -- the way of little van we had very few
the future. It’s clean, problems. (Mind you, we have
efficient, silent, and requires always carried “conventional”
almost zero maintenance. And once backup in the form of a small
the initial outlay has been petrol generator, and our vehicle
covered, basic power needs from has always been dual-battery
equipped to share the campsite the cupboard). Battery terminals
power needs.) were fitted with heavy-duty
extension straps that passed
And about that tricky technology? through the side of the box to
Well, if a techno-slouch like me the outside to facilitate normal
can have the whole system connection via alligator clips, a
installed and operational in portable 12 volt socket, or
under two hours, anybody can! sometimes a low capacity
inverter. All holes in the floor
What we did was: (1) mount the and the battery box were fully
solar panel directly onto the RV sealed (both sides) with silicone
roof (with sealant carefully sealant.
applied in and around the screw
holes), then (2) run the panel’s As for maintenance, all that’s
cabling down into the van required is an occasional
(through the corner of the wipe-down of the solar panel, and
all-seasons hatch) into a a general examination of wiring
cupboard. Being a self-regulating and seals from time to time. I
solar panel, a regulator was not also put a multimeter across the
necessary between panel and battery terminals every so often
battery, so the cables were fixed to see how it was tracking. (Of
directly onto the battery. course, this reading is only
accurate after the battery has
The battery was housed in a “rested” for a half hour or so,
robust plastic storage bin with a i.e, no charge in or out.)
close-fitting lid, which I
further sealed with silicone. Two OK, we’ve learned a bit more
lengths of 6 mm plastic hose about solar power since then, so
vented the box to the outside we did some things differently
through the caravan floor (inside second time around. But these
differences were, essentially, power set-up, we still get to
because our fulltime travel now feeling warm and fuzzy.
needs more than twice the power, (Self-sufficiency in the bush
with quite a lot more in reserve. will do that!)
So gizmos and gadgets are
scattered throughout. But when we For our money, solar power and
think back on that tiny, RVs are made for each other; it’s
“drag-it-anywhere” caravan, with impossible to imagine a wandering
its most basic, D.I.Y. solar life without either.
About the Author:
Bill Revill is an Australian freelance writer, fulltime RV traveler, and remote lifestyle expert. For further information go to: http://www.livingontheroad.com http://www.authorsden.com/billrevill Copyright 2007 by W.V. Revill.
Published At: www.Isnare.com
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