Solar powered lighting for your van??

[vwwinston72]

Does anybody use any kind of solar powered lighting for there vans? If you do where did u get it? I can't seem to find anything suitable,

cheers!

 

[Trikky2]

Needs a battery in there otherwise its a bit pointless. :lol:

 

[lard]

That made me lol

I have solar powered fairy lights that charge up during the day and run all night

Id suggest a normal leisure battery setup running led lights and then use a solar panel to trickle charge the LB during the day?

 

[vwwinston72]

haha point taken!

Where did you get the solar powered fairy lights from? can't strech to a leisure battery set up just yet!

 

[clyde]

You need one of these bad boys................

 

[OLIVE-BAY]

we got solar powered fairy lights too very effective got them from morrisons last summer two packs of 16 (colour changing) lights for £15 8)

 

[niklee1]

Are these fairy lights really solar powered?

Most if not all are just battery operated with a solar switch on top, they don't really charge during the day the 'switch' just turns them on when it is dark.

To check place you hand over the top of the light, if they come on then they are battery operated, also if there is a little tiny switch inside the unit is usually a giveaway. The 'solar powered' refers to the 'solar switch' and not the charging of the unit.

:idea:

 

[Rosie]

We bought these the other days to hang inside the van or around the awning. Used them for the first time this weekend an they worked a treat! http://www.campingwithsoul.co.uk/lights_for_tents/solar_powered/everbright_solar_party_lights" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[OLIVE-BAY]

mine charge up during the day, even on dull days 8) have a 3 inch squared solar panel and no switch

 

[creationblue]

I got one of these for my Chateau http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/level5/module.jsp?moduleId=cpc/653246.xml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The solar panel charges the battery pack, the 2 LEDs plug in and gives 11hrs lighting, tho I find just the one lamp is bright enough. The pack has a USB port for charging your phone which is great

Just

 

[Pickles]

You need one of these bad boys................

and may one ask .... what can one power with one of these bad boys ?


oh and how big a panel?

 

[clyde]

Im no electrician but it kicks out around 17 volts, which goes through a dumping relay with two leads. One goes to my leisure battery and the other ive fitted a female lighter socket to run my fridge.

Its a panel that would normally be used on a Lighthouse or Navigation buoy, and im going to try and get another to fit to the roofrack
(can run 4 off the relay ive got, so may try and fit 2 on the trailer lid)
As you can see in the picture its about 2ft sq.

 

[clyde]

With regard to solar powered lights, i use some solar garden lights that i got from Ikea. They are really quite good and 3 provide all my camping needs.
Ive fitted leds into my westy light to reduce power consumption but im not sure they are the best and they tend to flicker sometimes (another job on the list)
A leisure battery is a must really for your camping needs and should be your first stop before worrying about fairy lights. Ive got my interiour lights, ciggy lighter and radio running directly off the leisure and never had a problem.

 

[vwwinston72]

Cool, thanks for the advice!

 

[Pickles]

Im no electrician but it kicks out around 17 volts, which goes through a dumping relay with two leads. One goes to my leisure battery and the other ive fitted a female lighter socket to run my fridge.

Its a panel that would normally be used on a Lighthouse or Navigation buoy, and im going to try and get another to fit to the roofrack
(can run 4 off the relay ive got, so may try and fit 2 on the trailer lid)
As you can see in the picture its about 2ft sq.

thanks most helpful

although having just agreed to buy another house today (with enough garage space for the bus) the solar panel might have to wait a year or two

 

[Tristan71]

I've fitted one to my westy roof rack it works a treat charging my leisure battery!!