Jake Drummond
Just a thought......how many hours of engine running at tickover would if take to offset the cost of fitting a solar panel for charging while off grid camping? 
Nesting Zombie
Hi ya,
I Think it would largely depend on your Alternator & Charge relay !
But other factors like Noise, Convenients & size of Solar installation you are comparing it to will also have to enter into the equation.
I Think it would largely depend on your Alternator & Charge relay !
But other factors like Noise, Convenients & size of Solar installation you are comparing it to will also have to enter into the equation.
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mossypossy
Park up next to me and idle your engine for three hours and you would definitely get flat tyres
colinmd
I've just made a few calcs, now bear in mind I've made some wild guesses here and may be way off the mark, and there are many different variables which I haven't bothered with, but it looks like a panel might pay back in one summer if you only fired up the engine to charge the batteries.
Nesting Zombie
Did you factor into your calcs that if your van does an average of say 25mpg, & you run your engine stationary on Tick over, Then it wouldn't use ANY fuel at all would it !.
Deleted member 36
Firstly, it will not do the engine any good, idling for long periods, secondly, if you have a neighbour, they certainly won't be happy!
On a couple of occasions, I have had a neighbouring van idling the engine with it's exhaust fumes coming straight into our habitation door. Certainly was to appreciated.
Another option is a silent geny, not as any are, but the quiet ones are quieter than most engines, and don't create half of the fumes, but they do cost!
Personally, people moan about a geny running, I would much rather have a quiet geny next door than a large engine running!
Solar is the way, but wintertime it might need a little help!
On a couple of occasions, I have had a neighbouring van idling the engine with it's exhaust fumes coming straight into our habitation door. Certainly was to appreciated.
Another option is a silent geny, not as any are, but the quiet ones are quieter than most engines, and don't create half of the fumes, but they do cost!
Personally, people moan about a geny running, I would much rather have a quiet geny next door than a large engine running!
Solar is the way, but wintertime it might need a little help!
wakk44
No contest in my opinion,solar power is much cleaner and environmentally friendly than running the engine for long periods.Also you can go out somewhere and leave the van whilst the panel is constantly charging quietly in the background.
As has been said in winter you may need some back up,a generator(used responsibly)or CL/CS for a night with hook up would be my solution.
As has been said in winter you may need some back up,a generator(used responsibly)or CL/CS for a night with hook up would be my solution.
jagmanx
Go Solar
Running the engine is no good ( x many )
Running the engine is no good ( x many )
Nesting Zombie
Yeah, Have to say Running an Engine OR Genny can be SO annoying ESPECIALLY if for hrs on end !. People should Pick & Choose when either is done, & avoid if possible. BUT if ABSOLUTLY necessary then its surprizing how accommodating the neighbour's can be if you ask them if its ok, & offer them a chance to have a top up for an hour whilst its running. !
I suppose it comes down to our individual interpretation of what Noise Pollution is, & what offends !.
For example, Some people LOVE loud Music, Some HATE it, Some People Grow numb to there own Dog Constantly Barking, OR Their Kids Screaming n Shouting Whilst running around having a good time. People without Kids or Dogs might HATE it Some may Have Late BBQs with VERY loud Laughter & Voices well into the night etc etc. but will object to the hummm of a Genny for an hour at mid day !.
I have to say I Personally haven't experienced any of this as I tend to find the more out the way places to park up or just use the suitable Laybys where again You just grow Numb to the noise for the night your there. But its just a thought.
I suppose it comes down to our individual interpretation of what Noise Pollution is, & what offends !.
For example, Some people LOVE loud Music, Some HATE it, Some People Grow numb to there own Dog Constantly Barking, OR Their Kids Screaming n Shouting Whilst running around having a good time. People without Kids or Dogs might HATE it Some may Have Late BBQs with VERY loud Laughter & Voices well into the night etc etc. but will object to the hummm of a Genny for an hour at mid day !.
I have to say I Personally haven't experienced any of this as I tend to find the more out the way places to park up or just use the suitable Laybys where again You just grow Numb to the noise for the night your there. But its just a thought.
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hextal
We were parked up in one place in Scotland for 4 days last month (a campsite), by the last day the batteries were getting a little low, and we don't do ehu, so I had the engine idling for 20 mins. We were about 50yds from the nearest other van, but it's a little like walking around the house when you've got in late, everything seems very loud.
I was very self conscious doing it and wouldn't have done it normally.
I'd definitely get solar panels, even if they are fairly useless in winter.
Going off topic, but same site a few days earlier, and on a site with about 100 pitches, all with ehu, and about 4 vans present, some guy parks about 3ft from us, totally obscuring our view out of the see window, cos he had a short hook-up lead. Grrrrrrrr!!
I was very self conscious doing it and wouldn't have done it normally.
I'd definitely get solar panels, even if they are fairly useless in winter.
Going off topic, but same site a few days earlier, and on a site with about 100 pitches, all with ehu, and about 4 vans present, some guy parks about 3ft from us, totally obscuring our view out of the see window, cos he had a short hook-up lead. Grrrrrrrr!!
channa
Running engines at tickover is asking for trouble. Engines are designed for load not ticking over, recipe for disaster.
Solar far more environmentally friendly, no noise either, If at this time of year they are not putting out ,a generator designed for the task used with consideration is the answer
Channa
Solar far more environmentally friendly, no noise either, If at this time of year they are not putting out ,a generator designed for the task used with consideration is the answer
Channa
mistericeman
Forum Member
I stuck 2 X 100w ones on the roof of the Transit earlier in the, year....
just as a belt and braces thing really (we tend to move around pretty much only stopping 1 place for 1 day.... SO the Durite voltage sensing split charge does most of the work of charging the 3 x 100ah leisure batteries)
Sept/Oct time when we were up on the west coast of Scotland average was about 6 amps from the panels.... now we are deeper into winter
.. pretty much nothing worth seeing charge wise.... however the batteries are still fine overnighting and charged by moving on to next spot.
Would I fit solar again....
Probably as if nothing else it keeps things topped up (started battery is charged through durite relay too when leisure batteries are above a certain voltage.
just as a belt and braces thing really (we tend to move around pretty much only stopping 1 place for 1 day.... SO the Durite voltage sensing split charge does most of the work of charging the 3 x 100ah leisure batteries)
Sept/Oct time when we were up on the west coast of Scotland average was about 6 amps from the panels.... now we are deeper into winter
.. pretty much nothing worth seeing charge wise.... however the batteries are still fine overnighting and charged by moving on to next spot.
Would I fit solar again....
Probably as if nothing else it keeps things topped up (started battery is charged through durite relay too when leisure batteries are above a certain voltage.
2cv
Forum Member
I don't have solar but have only ever once needed to run the engine to top up the battery, and that was because the battery needed replacing. With a quick charge system fitted it should only be necessary to run for half an hour or so to top up. I find that my 115ah battery lasts an easy three days in the depth of winter, even leaving the heating on full time.
Generators are never silent or anything near it, and I find them much more intrusive than a running engine.
Solar is only needed if staying in one place for a long time, or if inefficient lighting or heating is fitted. It may be useful to those with high consumption gadgets or who cannot connect to mains when stored.
A lot of course depends on each individuals type of use, personally moving regularly eliminates the need for solar or running the engine to charge.
Generators are never silent or anything near it, and I find them much more intrusive than a running engine.
Solar is only needed if staying in one place for a long time, or if inefficient lighting or heating is fitted. It may be useful to those with high consumption gadgets or who cannot connect to mains when stored.
A lot of course depends on each individuals type of use, personally moving regularly eliminates the need for solar or running the engine to charge.
Fletch6
Don't forget to factor in the saving in LPG because the engine will heat the van. Solar is still bes,t everything considered.
Nesting Zombie
I would also suggest that the point about running a Diesel engine on Tick over for an hour or even two while it say charges any batteries & puts a bit of warmth in the cab on an occasional basis between periods of Decent Road work and it causing Engine Damage is Arguable.
I have done it on The Nest for about 40 min on the some cold mornings with the heater on while I square away, I use to do it ALMOST DAILY on my Boat engine of 20 years. Taxi Drivers, Ice cream vans at Events, AA/RAC/GREEN FLAG type Recovery vehicles, Crain's, Police Vehicles, Road Repair Crews, Motorway Safety Cushion Trucks, ALL run there vehicles for absolutely HOURS on absolute minimal loads on a REGULAR basis.
Maybe there is a case on the more Modern Performance Diesel engines.
I have done it on The Nest for about 40 min on the some cold mornings with the heater on while I square away, I use to do it ALMOST DAILY on my Boat engine of 20 years. Taxi Drivers, Ice cream vans at Events, AA/RAC/GREEN FLAG type Recovery vehicles, Crain's, Police Vehicles, Road Repair Crews, Motorway Safety Cushion Trucks, ALL run there vehicles for absolutely HOURS on absolute minimal loads on a REGULAR basis.
Maybe there is a case on the more Modern Performance Diesel engines.
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Admin1
WARNING THIS POST CONTAINS ESTIMATIONS AND ASSUMPTIONSJust a thought......how many hours of engine running at tickover would if take to offset the cost of fitting a solar panel for charging while off grid camping?
I AM JUST TRYING TO HELP SOMEONE UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION RATHER THAN TRYING TO GIVING AN ACCURATE ANSWER
Engine
1) Lets assume that your engine will consume 5 litres of fuel ticking over for one hour, so approx £5.50 per hour.
2) Also assuming you are using a normal split charge relay fused at 20 amps, so approx 19 amps per hour of charge.
3) I am not adding costs for wear on the engine.
The cost is about 29 pence per amp hour of charge.
Solar
1) Lets assume you are using a 150w mono panel with an MPPT charge controller.
2) You fit the Solar kit yourself so the cost is approx £160.
After you have consumed 550 amp hours of charge you will have broke even.
How long will it take in the UK to get 550Ah of charge from a 150W panel?
This really is a "how long is a piece of string" question.
Here is an approximate calculation
Over a lovely sunny summers day, your panel could easily be expected provide 40Ah of charge to your batteries (if your batteries needed that much charging)
150w panel / charge voltage of 14.4v = 10.41A Max
Take 75% of this to allow for loss = @ 7.5A
1 hour at 80% = 6Ah
2 hours at 70% = 10.5Ah
2 hours at 60% = 9Ah
2 hours at 50% = 7.5Ah
2 hours at 40% = 6Ah
Other daylight = 1Ah
(I know these numbers are guess work for our pedantic members)
So 14 good summer days of charge would produce 550ah of charge.
hotrats
would be nicer to ask to turn off rather than be a bully.
IanH
Don't even think about it!
The VERY worst thing you can do to a diesel engine (or, indeed, a petrol one) is to let it idle, especially for long periods.
It is designed to put out probably 75% full power at all times, then it is happy. Idling kills it!
You must also consider that at all times, if on the roof, the solar panels will be charging both batteries, even if you keep your van in outdoor storage.
As someone else said, an idling engine next to me for 3 hrs, makes your tyres go flat!!
The VERY worst thing you can do to a diesel engine (or, indeed, a petrol one) is to let it idle, especially for long periods.
It is designed to put out probably 75% full power at all times, then it is happy. Idling kills it!
You must also consider that at all times, if on the roof, the solar panels will be charging both batteries, even if you keep your van in outdoor storage.
As someone else said, an idling engine next to me for 3 hrs, makes your tyres go flat!!
IanH
Batt to batt charger is infintely better than any generator, and takes up no space, and MOST IMPORTANTLY is completely silent!!!!