| When you are on a road trip with a group of | | | | The key components are the solar panels, charge |
| friends in a caravan, there are a couple of ways | | | | controller, battery bank and power inverter. The |
| you can generate electricity. One of the most | | | | solar panels are made from a type of |
| common options is to use a gasoline generator. | | | | semi-conductive material known as Photovoltaic |
| However, many people do not like this approach | | | | (PV) cells. |
| because a generator is noisy and creates a lot of | | | | PV cells have the natural tendency to generate an |
| air pollution. The running cost for a generator is | | | | electric current when exposed to sunlight. For a |
| also quite high because you have to constantly | | | | caravan, it is recommended for you to set up a |
| top it up with gasoline. When you are out in the | | | | large group solar array mounted on the ground. |
| wilderness with your friends, the last thing you | | | | The solar panels are to be connected to a charge |
| want to do is pollute it with carbon monoxide and | | | | controller via 2 copper cables. One will be the |
| loud noise. | | | | positive run and the other the negative run cable. |
| As a better alternative, a caravan can use a | | | | The charge controller will use the electric current |
| portable solar panels system to generate | | | | from the PV panels to charge a battery bank. |
| electricity. It is a better option because solar | | | | The size of the battery bank will depend on the |
| energy is clean, does not generate any pollution, | | | | size of the caravan. As a rule of thumb, 2 units |
| low running cost and requires only minimal | | | | of 12 volt deep cycle battery will provide |
| maintenance. | | | | sufficient electricity for 1 family throughout the |
| If you are opting to use solar power on your | | | | night. If you have a big group, just expand the |
| road trip, it would be best for you to make some | | | | battery units as needed. |
| early preparation. No doubt a solar system for | | | | Since batteries can only hold Direct Current (DC), |
| caravan is a good idea, however, you must have | | | | you would have to use a power inverter to |
| certain skill and knowledge to set it up. | | | | change the DC to Alternate Current (AC). All |
| Do you understand how electricity works? Can | | | | modern electronic equipment are designed to use |
| you read an electrical wiring diagram? Can you | | | | AC. |
| configure electronic components just by reading | | | | The final step is to run an extension cable from |
| its user manual? This are some of the criteria you | | | | the power inverter throughout the caravan. |
| need to have before you build your own Do It | | | | Multiple power outlets are to be setup by tapping |
| Yourself (DIY) solar system. | | | | the electricity from the cable for easy access. |
| A portable solar system is actually quite simple. | | | | |