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Boats, Caravans and Motorhomes
Whether for weekend,
holiday, or daily use, wind and solar power can be used to keep batteries charged in your
boat, caravan or motorhome - giving an independent electricity supply without the noise
and stench of engines and generators, or the inconvenience of finding mains hook-ups.
Typical loads include:
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DC lighting
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TV
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radio
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pumps
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fans
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phones
By using an inverter, 230 Vac
appliances such as video, HiFi, microwave, vacuum cleaner, satellite system or computer
can be powered.
Using wind:
On vehicles and inland craft, wind
generators are best mounted on a hinged mast which is easy to raise when moored but
compact when travelling. Seagoing boats often use mounts on deck rails or masts. Separate
guyed masts are preferred for caravans. Output is dependent on the openness of the mooring
or site and wind conditions, but will generally be greatest over winter months.
Using the sun:
Solar systems are perfect if mainly summer use is intended. Solar modules are simply
fastened to the van or boat roof using frames which ideally should adjust to catch maximum
sun. Usually the higher output industrial panels are appropriate. Non-glass modules are
available for decks and vulnerable locations.
Output cables are simply connected
across the domestic battery via a charge controller which prevents battery overcharge and
provides system monitoring. Generally systems can be easily mounted and installed by the
user. Alternatively, many boatyards and caravan or RV suppliers can make up fittings or
undertake installation.
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Remote Homes
Many homes in remote areas
are beyond the reach of the electricity grid and would traditionally use a diesel
generator for power.
Often a genset is sufficient for
the house needs, but noisy, expensive to run, high on maintenance and inefficient when
lightly loaded. Addition of a battery store, inverter/charger, & changeover system
will compliment this to give minimum generator use and 24hr power ... including a wind
turbine or solar array can eliminate the need for a generator altogether.
All loads can be run on
conventional 230Vac wiring. Typically the requirements are for lighting (using low energy
electronic compact fluorescents); TV; stereo; fridge; household appliances & tools
etc. all run from the inverter. Heating is usually by solid fuel and cooking from bottled
gas. The generator is then only needed for occasional battery charges and to run heavy
loads.
In many situations, solar power
will be more relevant but larger wind turbines can be used to provide for greater load
levels or heating.
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Standby Power
Many areas have an
unreliable grid supply with frequent power cuts. Using a battery store and
inverter/charger gives back-up power allowing critical loads to be run until the grid
supply is restored when the batteries can be recharged. Including a solar array or wind
turbine enables loads to be run for extended periods without the mains.
All loads can be run on
conventional 230Vac wiring. Usually it is not feasible to size the system to run all loads
so heavier or non-critical loads (eg. air conditioning or heating) should be separated off
and only ever run from the mains.
Systems vary from small sine wave
inverters to run central heating pumps and controls to bigger systems for computers or
hospitals.
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