Super Bright LED Strip, 12v Waterproof Low Profile Flexible Strip with Plugs
Q.1 - Do Solar Panels Work?
Yes they do......these are some of the most successful examples where they provide power away from a mains supply, communications satellites in space, illuminated navigation buoys, irrigation pumps in remote areas, radio and monitoring equipment in remote areas, power for caravans, motorhomes and camping applications.
Q.2 - What are the different types of Solar Panel? / Solar Cell and how will these affect my Caravan, Motorhome or Narrowboat?
There are two basic types of cells used in the manufacture of most modern general purpose solar panels, these are crystalline (monocrystalline / polycrystalline) or thin film. Both produce similar outputs in sunny conditions, although thin film cells generally perform better in overcast weather. The only down side of thin film solar panels is their size and weight, a much greater area is required to equal outputs of crystalline panels. Monocrystalline Solar Cells are the most efficient at converting the suns power to useable electricity. Monocrystalline Solar Panels tend to have a smaller foot print and last longer than the cheaper Amorphous and Thin film Solar Panels.
Q.3 - Will a solar panel produce electricity on a cloudy day?
A. Yes, a solar panel does produce electricity even when it is not placed in bright sunlight. On a normal cloudy day there is always enough so-called diffuse light, by which the panel will produce electricity. However, the production of electricity is not as high as when the panels are placed in bright sunlight.
Q.4 - Will solar panels work in the winter?
Yes, solar panels work on light not heat. The amount of sun hours will be less in the winter, as the sun rises later and sets earlier.
Q.5 - How can they help on my Caravan, Motorhome or Narrowboat?
Quite simply by charging the battery(s) during daylight hours. They work at their best in bright clear sunshine, most high quality solar panels will still produce a useful charging current even in cloudy conditions.
Q.6 - What size solar panel is required on a Caravan or Motorhome?
To some degree this is the "How long is a piece of string" question. .As a general guide, most owners would want to try to balance the power produced by a solar panel with their average daily 12 volt power consumption. Average consumption is also a wide question, generally it is in the region of 10 - 20 ampere hours (Ah) per day from the leisure battery. (Batteries are rated in ampere hours, 45, 60, 75, 90, 150 amp hour, this describes the storage capacity of the battery). A 50 watt solar panel will produce up to 3-4 amps (A) per hour in bright sunny conditions. On a good sunny day, allowing for the changing position of the sun in the sky, low in the morning and evening, overhead in the middle of the day, you might expect this 50 watt panel to produce 14 to 18 Ah of battery power. The solar panel needs to supply approximately 30% more than your needs to compensate for variables, such as cloudy days etc. Obviously the winter will have shorter sunlight hours per day than the summer, but you can work on an average of approximately 5 hours sunshine a day in the UK over a year
Q.7 - What is a blocking diode?
This is a component connected within the cable that prevents the solar panel discharging the battery when there is no sunlight. All Free Solar Energy Uk Solar Panels come fitted at the factory with blocking diodes, we recommend using Solar Panel charge controllers for all panels above 10 Watts.
Q.8 - What is a charge controller?
This device controls the charge to the battery. When the battery is fully charged the controller disconnects the solar panel from the battery. We offer two ranges of solar panel charge controllers both budget and professional.
Q.9 - Do I need a charge controller?
We recommend that charge controllers are used with 15watt solar panels and above.
Q.10 - What is an inverter?
An inverter takes the DC (direct current) from the solar panel and creates a useable form of AC (Alternating current). Inverters are power hungry, so it is best to purchase (if possible) a product that operates on 12vdc.
Q.11 - Can equipment be used directly from solar panels?
Yes, solar panels will run equipment direct, these could be loads such as fans & pumps, but make sure the load of the equipment is not equal to the output of the solar panel, as overcast or cloudy days will reduce the output. Solar panels with not run TV's or radio's (without battery backup), as they require a more stable voltage.
Q.12 - Is maintenance required on solar panels?
Clean using a non-abrasive cleaner. In the long term check the sealing especially in marine use and reseal with a silicon sealant if damage is suspected. Check battery connections periodically when you check battery levels. Fuse holders and connections should be kept dry and clean.
Q.13 - What problems might there be with mounting a solar panel?
Try not to fix panels horizontally as rain will collect in the frame and not cleaning the panels will reduce the output. Make sure there is an air gap beneath the panel. Panels will have reduced efficiency in hot weather - having an airgap between the panel and the Caravan, Motorhome or Narrowboat helps reduce this. We offer a range of fixed and adjustable - elevated solar panel mounts.
Q.14 - How to calculate your solar panel needs
Battery Ampere Hour: The amp hour (ah) rating of a battery tells you how much amperage is available when discharged evenly over a period of time. The amp hour rating is cumulative, so in order to know how many constant amps the battery will output for a given period, you have to divide the amp hour rating by the amount of hours the load will be used.
Example: If a battery has an amp hour rating of 85, and it will be used for 20 hours dividing 85 (ah rating of battery) by 20(hours of load) = 4.25. Such a battery can carry a 4.25 amp load for 20 hours before dropping to 10.5 volts. (10.5 volts is the fully discharged level, at which point the battery needs to be recharged.) Please be aware that it is not a good thing to discharge the battery fully. If the battery is fully discharged the solar panel may not be able to start the recharge, so add at least 15% more to you battery needs.
The ratings of Solar panels are calculated in bright direct sunlight. Conditions such as indirect sunlight, cloudy, hazy conditions and partial shade will decrease the output. Also the length of daylight i.e.: summer vs. winter. Figures quoted for example only.
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Q.1 - WHY DO ELECSOL BATTERIES OUT CYCLE FLOODED / SEALED and GEL TYPES?
All batteries are manufactured to provide a certain number of deep discharge cycles. The conventional leisure battery should give a cycling life of between 200 - 300 deep discharges. A Gel battery will give between 400 - 500 cycles and an AGM battery 600 - 800 cycles. The Elecsol batteries will give over 1000 deep discharge cycles.
Batteries fail in cycling life due to a permanent encapsulation of PbSO4 on the plates (lead sulphation). The capacity loss is more rapid with these battery types, the deeper that the battery is discharged, and the quicker lead sulphation builds up. Upon recharging the battery, not all of this sulphation is converted back to lead (PB0). The result is a gradual loss of capacity.
Another major reason for premature battery failure is due to the oxide shredding from the plate. Standard lead plates are bound only with acrylic and polyester fibres they do not serve as reinforcement of the plate. The cycling life of the ELECSOL battery is much greater than all other battery types because THE CARBON FIBRE ELIMINATES LEAD SULPHATION OF THE PLATES PERMANENTLY. Upon recharging, the original capacity will be replenished. Carbon Fibre acts as a mechanical reinforcement fibre to the lead grid and paste reducing oxide shredding.
Q.2 - HOW DO I CHARGE A LEISURE BATTERY?
Here are a few ways that a leisure battery can be charged.
1. IN-BUILT CHARGERS.
Most caravan and motorhome users rely upon the in-built charger in their vehicles. Although this charging system is sufficient, the technical disadvantage with this product is it never fully charges the battery to its full capacity. The charge voltage is cut off prematurely at 13.85 volts. Whichever type of leisure battery you use, the in built charger will give a maximum charge to within 80% of the batteries original capacity. Over a period of time, this can cause sulphation of the plates in other leisure battery brands, due to under charging. It is recommended that you occasionally boost charge your battery away from your caravan/motorhome using a stand-alone charger to either 14.4 volts for Elecsol batteries or 14.8 volts for other leisure battery brands to ensure that your battery is operating at its full capacity. If the stand-alone charger you use is not self-cut off, then rely on a multimeter to check the voltage.
2. CHARGING WITH SOLAR PANELS.
Solar panels are an ideal way to charge a battery. There are many different types of solar panels available from the inexpensive to the top of the range. They have improved considerably in the last few years offering practical power in compact sizes. Once installed, they require little or no maintenance allowing you to enjoy your leisure time knowing that you will always have sufficient power when it is required. A regulator is required with any solar panel above 22 watt. The regulator switches to pulse charging when the battery is 95% charged and turns off completely when charge is completed, turning on again only when required to keep the battery topped up.
3. CHARGING WITH GENERATORS.
There are many different types of generators widely used, which offer a quick solution to charging a low/flat battery. Whilst using the generator to charge your battery, always ensure the electrolyte is above the plates. If your battery is low on electrolyte, you can inadvertently damage the plates of the battery and cause premature failure of the product. It is not advisable to leave your generator continually connected to the battery. Always disconnect the generator when the battery is fully charged, and follow the manufacturers guidelines on safety, (Important: To ensure no damage to batteries is sustained whilst charging with a generator, use a
Multimeter to check charging voltage when 14.40V is reached, switch off the generator).
4. CHARGING WITH ALTERNATORS.
Most alternators are regulated to charge to maximum of 14.4 volts. Alternator sizes would be best determined at an example of 15 amps per battery i.e. 3 batteries x 15 amps = 45 amp alternator.
Q.3 - HOW CAN I AVOID OVER CHARGING A DEEP CYCLE LEISURE BATTERY?
Never leave your battery connected to a charger for more than the time required. Over charging occurs when the battery remains on charge after it has reached full charge (14.40 volts). Overcharging causes excess heat that can cause the plates within the cells to buckle and shred their active material. The battery will also react to the overcharge by producing excess hydrogen and oxygen as the water within the electrolyte breaks down. The water that is lost due to overcharging can be replaced in a non-sealed battery. In a sealed battery, the water loss is permanent and will negatively affect the battery service life.
Q.4 - HOW DO I CONNECT TWO OR MORE BATTERIES TO GIVE ME MORE CAPACITY?
For 240 volts through an inverter, connect the batteries in parallel, negative-to-negative and positive-to-positive.
To increase capacity for 12 volts, connect the batteries in parallel, negative-to-negative and positive-to-positive.
For 24 volt, 36 volt and 48-volt systems, connect in series, positive-to-negative.
Never mix battery capacities, this will cause over charging on one battery and insufficient charge on the other. Connect a 100 amph to a 100 amph. If one battery is significantly older, it can pull a newer battery down because of lead sulphation.
Q.5 - HOW DO I RECHARGE AN ELECSOL BATTERY FROM FLAT?
First check the electrolyte is just covering the plates (never over fill), if necessary top up using distilled water. Depending on how flat the battery is, charging will take up to 11 hours using a quality 10 amp charger (based on the Elecsol 110 battery). The battery is fully charged when the charging voltage reaches 14.4 volts.
Q.6 - WHAT HAPPENS IF I LEAVE MY ELECSOL BATTERY IN A DISCHARGED STATE?
Unlike conventional batteries, the Elecsol range does not suffer from permanent lead sulphation, which is caused by leaving your battery in a discharged state or by overcharging. (See Q1).
Q.7 - I HAVE A 75 AMP BATTERY, CAN I REPLACE IT WITH A HIGHER RATED ONE?
Yes, if your electrical needs have increased it is always wise to check how much extra amp's you require to run your equipment efficiently. We say there is no substitute for power, however where size restrictions exist the 80/100 amph battery has been designed to give you that extra power you need, whilst keeping the size and weight of the battery to a minimum.
Q.8 - CAN I USE THE ELECSOL BATTERY FOR ENGINE STARTING?
Yes, you can. Unlike traditional leisure batteries, the Elecsol range has been designed for dual-purpose applications. It can be used as a domestic battery and for starting.
Q.9 - SHOULD I CHECK MY STATE OF CHARGE ON MY BATTERY WITH A HYDROMETER?
Elecsol leisure batteries use a much lower sg acid than that of traditional battery brands. This has a result that the sg on the hydrometer will never reach the top of the green marker, but will sit in the middle at 1.25sg. When the hydrometer reaches 1.25sg per cell, the Elecsol battery is fully charged. Lower sg's are used to minimise the growth decay / grid corrosion over a period of time.
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