Portable solar panel

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beenz

644 posts

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#272270 17-Jun-2020 12:06

Hi
I am looking for a portable prefer folding solar panel to take camping.

I want to buy within NZ not overseas.
I have seen some folding one's at Jaycar.
Not sure how good they are ?
Want it to power a small camping fridge and a coffee machine.
Not sure of output of either but I think low.
And to charge a couple of devices.

Thanks

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wellygary

8816 posts

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#2506716 17-Jun-2020 14:56

beenz: Hi
I am looking for a portable prefer folding solar panel to take camping.

Want it to power a small camping fridge and a coffee machine.
Not sure of output of either but I think low.
And to charge a couple of devices.

Thanks

More than you think,

this 35l camp fridge runs 1.4kwh/24h that's a big battery to start with, let along panels to charge it,

https://www.equipoutdoors.co.nz/Dometic_3_Way_Portable_Fridge_-_35_Litre.html

A coffee machine that boils water is gonna kill you for its peak load... ( resistance heating is hard work)

Any array you have to power this lot, wont be folding or very portable....

Your best bet is to run the fridge on gas, and run a 12V immersion heater from a car outlet to heat a cup for instant coffee.... :) sorry....

tchart

2397 posts

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#2506792 17-Jun-2020 16:08

Yep really depends on your budget but be realistic about expectations on solar - its very variable.

If your budget was $1500 you could get this bundle;

https://goalzero.co.nz/collections/portable-power/products/y400lib50

That would at least allow you to run some electrical devices and still charge devices over USB. BTW there are new models inbound which have USB-C.

TBH the lessons I have learnt are;

1. Buy a good panel

2. Get something that can take advantage of the solar panel (i.e dont get something that charges over 30W when you have a 200W panel)

3. Dont under spec the battery or inverter. I did this - now I have two batteries (one for lights and one for laptop etc). I shouldve just bought one more expensive battery which wouldve covered the power draw and had a better inverter.

Alternatively to all of this, why not just get a powered camp site? I know its not the same but many of the regional council owned campsites in Wellington offered powered sites. Way less hassle and would cost less than setting all of this up.