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How to calculate your solar power requirements

So you want to set your rig up for Solar but you are not sure what size of set up you need?
This blog is designed to give you the tools to be able to work out exactly what are you are
drawing from your rig's batteries and what type of Solar set up you need. Knowledge is key
when setting up your rig for Solar so the more information you have on each and every one
of those home comforts devices you plan to take away with you the better. If anyone has a
question pop it in the comment section below. I will answer each and everyone.

How to work out Watts, Amps and Volts

It stands to reason that a larger Solar Panel will collect more energy in less time, but just
how big does the solar panel need to be?

The power consumption of appliances is given in Watts. To calculate the energy you will use
over time, just multiply the power consumption by the hours of use. For example:

10 watt device used over 3 hours equals 10 x 3 = 30 Watt

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How to convert Amps to Watts

The energy in Watts is equal to the electric charge in Amps times the voltage in volts:

Watts = Amps × Volts

Example

If your device doesn’t have the Watts labelled on it, then it should at least have the input
Volts i.e. 240V and the Amps AC it draws such as 240V – 1.5A. You can then use the
equation Watts Volts x Amps so 240v x 1.5amps = 360 Watts.

How to convert Watts to Amps

The electric charge in Amps is equal to the energy in Watts divided by the voltage in volts
(V):

Amps = Watts / Volts

Example

Find the electric charge in Amps when the energy consumption is 300 watts and the voltage
is 240 volts.

300 Watts / 240 volts = 1.25 Amps

Check out the iTechworld inline Watt meter which does all these calculations for you
HERE

Do I need a battery?

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Solar panels are commonly used to charge a battery – not to charge a device directly. There
are a couple of reasons for having batteries. Solar panels might not generate enough
wattage to directly power an appliance, but they can build up a higher wattage via a battery.
Secondly a battery can regulate the power going in to the appliance at a constant rate.
When solar panels are charging a battery it is usually at a varying rate which could harm an
appliance if not regulated.

Battery capacity is measured in Amp Hours (e.g. 100Ah). You need to convert this to Watt
Hours by multiplying the Ah figure by the battery voltage (e.g. 12V) – see calculations
above.

AH refers to amp hours. This rating is usually found on deep cycle batteries. If a battery is
rated at 100 amp hours it should deliver 5 amps of power for 20 hours or 20 amps of power
for 5 hours.

When choosing a deep cycle battery, keep in mind the equipment you will be powering and
the time in which they will be running. Theoretically a 100Ah battery can deliver 5 amps
over a 20 hour period (and so on). Taking into account the average small campsite - with a
small 45W fridge running for 6 hours, 3 hours of 15W lighting and 20W of other electronic
equipment - the minimum consumption to be expected is 335W. Take this wattage and
divide it by the voltage, 12V, gives 28Ah. With the aim of leaving 50% in the battery brings
the requirement to 56 Ah per day.

Check out the only the battery that iTechworld recommends with Solar Power HERE

What size solar panel do I need?

Solar Panels power generation is commonly given in Watts e.g. 120 Watts. To calculate the
energy it can supply the battery with, divide the Watts by the Voltage of the Solar Panel.

120 Watts / 18v = 6.6 Amps

Please note that Solar Panels are not 12v, I repeat Solar Panels are not 12v. Any one who

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works out the Amps of a solar panels using 12v as the voltage calculation does not
understand solar or has been misinformed. All solar panel voltages should be marked in
the item description of our website or on the unit itself.

Check out the iTechworld Solar Panel range HERE

Inverters

The power inverter converts your storage battery power into the 240 volts AC that runs your
appliances. Unless you only run 12 volt DC appliances you will need a power inverter to
supply your AC.

There are 2 types of Inverters

Pure sine wave and Modified sine wave.

The Pure Sine Wave matches the power to that of which you get from your Electricity
Supplier, its clean and you can run any appliances safely even sensitive equipment.

The Modified sine wave used to be considered a dirty power but some aren't as bad as they
used to be, you can use this inverter type for things that don't have sensitive electronics for
example fridges, cookers, pumps, You may have to be careful with some appliances such as
laptops and TVs so check first.

Check out the iTechworld range of inverters HERE

Charge Controllers/Regulators

All Solar Panels 30 watts and above need a Solar Charge Controller/Regulator. A Charge
Controller/Regulator is necessary to protect the batteries from over charging and supply
them with the proper amount of energy to promote long battery life. If the charge isn’t
regulated it can have a damaging effect on the battery being charged.

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Check out the iTechworld range of Charge Controllers/Regulators HERE

Read our easy Solar installation guide HERE

Read how Generator Inverters work HERE

Read iTechworld Generator Reviews HERE

Read how to use a Generator Inverter HERE

Read how to avoid a drained battery HERE

Read about light weight Solar Panels HERE

Read 5 great tips to get the most out of your Solar Panels HERE

Read our comprehensive guide on Inverters HERE

Read about the benefits of travelling with Solar Power HERE

Article author

Ian

ian@itechworld.com.au

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