how do I find out the wattage?

 
 
 
 
 
 
fork
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how do I find out the wattage?

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Posted: 15.11.2014  ·  #1
As above,
How do I find out what the wattage of the solar panel that is fitted already on our van.
Thanks


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Re: how do I find out the wattage?

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Posted: 15.11.2014  ·  #2
There is usually a sticker on the back of the panel that will tell you that although you may have to remove it from the roof first :up:


fork
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Re: how do I find out the wattage?

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Posted: 15.11.2014  ·  #3
Ah right.
The panel is attached to the roof rails so I will check that out.
What's would be an average panel wattage be so I could compare please


the fat controller
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Re: how do I find out the wattage?

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Posted: 15.11.2014  ·  #4
A few years ago it was around 60w but the passage of time and reducing prices the average now would be around 100w


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Re: how do I find out the wattage?

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Posted: 15.11.2014  ·  #5
fork
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Re: how do I find out the wattage?

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Posted: 16.11.2014  ·  #6
^^^^
I am hoping to use the van primarily for wild camping.
I need to change a few things such as get a 12 volt tv.
The van has a solar panel,inverter, and two batteries already, but maybe they need to be upgraded
I am hoping that if I can find out the capacity of the panel and batteries from the people here ,I could do any upgrades in one go

I am also trying to get an idea of the best way to go forward in conserving power. I have changed the lighting to led.
On the tv front am I better off running a 230 volt tv through the inverter,and use the money that I would spend on a 12volt tv ,on upgrading the panel or batteries.


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Re: how do I find out the wattage?

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Posted: 16.11.2014  ·  #7
The batteries will say on them the AH. Any sort of panel will put power into the batteries, the only difference is how much. Why don't. You ask the previous owner if he put it on the van what size he put on.

The fact you have one puts you in a better position than some, I did wild camping for a year with no panel but two batteries so you are ahead of the game.


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Re: how do I find out the wattage?

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Posted: 16.11.2014  ·  #8
I'd try it out first before changing anything as what you have might be well up to the job,


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Re: how do I find out the wattage?

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Posted: 16.11.2014  ·  #9
That's good advice Mad Max as there s no point I. Throwing hard earned cash away if one doesn't need to. I've got 2 100 amp batteries and a 100 solar panel and it's more than adequate for me.


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Re: how do I find out the wattage?

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Posted: 16.11.2014  ·  #10
thanks for all of the above

i am just worried that i will kill the batteries if i "try it out and see how i get on".

i suppose that what i need to know is....

the tv is my main decision to make

i have an inverter.do i stick with that or go down the 12 volt route and change the tv to save power.
the web is full of conflicting info-use an inverter or don't


the last owner always used sites so did not have need of the panel,extra battery
the second last owner fitted these(i think).


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Re: how do I find out the wattage?

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Posted: 16.11.2014  ·  #11
See flat screen tv's are 12v internally anyway, so if you use an inverter, you're going 12-220-12, so you're wasting power in your own inverter anyway.


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Re: how do I find out the wattage?

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Posted: 16.11.2014  ·  #12
fork
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Re: how do I find out the wattage?

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Posted: 16.11.2014  ·  #13
Thanks for that.
There is no 12volt connector unfortunately.
So would you pay €200 to go down the 12volt tv route or use the money to spend elsewhere


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Re: how do I find out the wattage?

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Posted: 16.11.2014  ·  #14
Quote by the fat controller

Just leave the TV off and spend time going for a walk etc.


You're probably right!


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Re: how do I find out the wattage?

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Posted: 16.11.2014  ·  #15
Use a mirror to read the underside of the panel. The label should be at the corner where the wires appear. I have been using an inverter for my tele for years and its not a problem, very little extra power required.


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