A guide to generators and solar panels for your caravan or motorhome
When you carry your hotel room behind you, in the form of a caravan, it can be nice to have your own power source on hand to keep you comfortable, no matter where you are. Not only does it help with things like cooking, climate control, and food storage, it can also free you up to stay just about anywhere.
So let’s have a quick look at your options for generators and solar power systems when you’re on the road.
Generators
A 2000-watt generator is a great idea if you have a caravan or motorhome, as it will enable you to run lights, refrigeration, air conditioning, and some small cooking appliances. A five-litre generator should give you about 15 hours on Eco-throttle – a feature of many quality generators which adjusts the engine speed to meet load demand. A generator with Eco-throttle will have better fuel economy, and will run more quietly.
Solar Panels
Think of a solar panel like a battery charger by the sun’s rays. Most modern caravans and motorhomes are charged by the vehicle’s alternator while the engine is running, or by a battery charger when connected to 240V, which is great when you’re staying somewhere with mains power. When you’re not, however, your options are limited. And if you don’t want to put up with the noise pollution of running your engine or a noisy generator, solar panels can be an environmentally friendly, and very quiet alternative.
You can find flexible solar panels these days, which are great for use on caravans, motorhomes, and even boats, as they are lightweight and easy to install.
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