I'm also "dom" when it comes to solar.

I'm looking for advice - I want to get portable solar panels just to charge the battery (120Ah deep cycle), fridge gas, cooking on gas or braai. Aircon and Microwave won't be used during load shedding.

Internet has it's own system and will run for about 16/18 hrs without charge.

What panels and charge controller do I need just to charge the battery. I will need this when the van is not been used at home as well, as the nearest plug point is 50m away.

Hi Brian     My Motorhome had 2 x 105ah deepcycle batteries  I had 1 x95 whatt solar panel on the roof ,with a 10 amp charge controller which was ample to keep the batteries charged  Hope this info will help

Benkie wrote:

Hi Brian     My Motorhome had 2 x 105ah deepcycle batteries  I had 1 x95 whatt solar panel on the roof ,with a 10 amp charge controller which was ample to keep the batteries charged  Hope this info will help

Thanks Benkie

I have 2 x 300W panels, 2 x 130A gel batteries, a 5 KW inverter and a 50A charge controller, we lived of the grid for 4 months with this set up. although it may be an overkill for your application.

George wrote:

I have 2 x 300W panels, 2 x 130A gel batteries, a 5 KW inverter and a 50A charge controller, we lived of the grid for 4 months with this set up. although it may be an overkill for your application.

Thanks George yeah our needs are not that high as the only things that won't work during load shedding are the aircon and microwave. Everything else is covered with gas or 12V.

So I just to be able to ensure that the battery gets enough charge. If the load shedding gets to a point of being more off than on then the on time may not be sufficient to recover the charge and I also need it when we are back home as the charge point is to far from the van and currently I have to remove the battery to keep it charged. 

I have 4 x 100w flexible pannels mounted permanently on the roof with a 1,5Kw inverter and a 200A lithium battery.

Dont use aircon and microwave on batteey. Everything els works 100%. 220v fridge freezer always on, even when travelling

Fienie wrote:

I have 4 x 100w flexible pannels mounted permanently on the roof with a 1,5Kw inverter and a 200A lithium battery.

Dont use aircon and microwave on batteey. Everything els works 100%. 220v fridge freezer always on, even when travelling

I thought about putting flexible panels on the roof of the van however when the van is stored I put a cover over it so the panels will not work during these periods and that, at this point is my main concern.