Disadvantages : Generators are noisy . Even the brand name ones can make their presence felt and this can make you unpopular with your neighbours in the campground . Also , you have to contend with the smell of petrol , which may limit your storage options . Generators can also be subject to reliability issues , especially if you haven ’ t used them for a while or you haven ’ t kept up with regular maintenance .
Important note : Many generators have a 12V output that may be marked as a battery charger outlet . I would strongly recommend you do not use this as a means to charge your van batteries as you can do serious damage to them while doing so . I would only use this feature as an absolute last resort .
PORTABLE SOLAR PANELS
Portable solar panels come in a wide variety of capacities , with 150-300W panels being the most popular among caravanners . You can get either solid folding panels or solar blankets . Today you can even get panels that are a combination of both , being semirigid with stands , making them lightweight and easy to store .
Solar panels come in all shapes and sizes .
With so many brands on the market , prices can vary greatly . There is usually a panel to suit any budget . But be careful . Many of the cheaper brands may not meet your expectations . I had a 300W solar blanket that would be lucky to produce 150W in seemingly perfect conditions . In truth , the vast majority of solar panels would struggle to meet their rated output .
As annoying as this is , you can expect a 200W panel to produce between 150-180W . There are rare exceptions and they generally will be one of the more expensive brand names . I have a Redarc 200W solid folding panel and it has exceeded its rated output several times .
Connecting an external solar panel to your van can be achieved in a number of ways . If you have an Anderson plug that is directly connected to your van ’ s battery , you can plug a panel into it via a solar controller . If that Anderson plug is wired to a DC-DC converter , then you can ’ t plug a panel into it .
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