A Beginners Guide To Camping with Solar Generator

For many people who are new to it, camping with solar might come with its uncertainties. This is because of the difficulty that is faced when deciding how to go about it or figuring out which system may suit their particular need. This ranges from how to determine the number of solar panels needed for camping to the number of devices that can be catered for. Including the steps to finish setup, several questions arise for travelers new to camping with solar.

Incorporating solar when going on a camp trip comes with many benefits, and this is why it is a go-to option for many campers. Whether they are going RV, van, or tent camping, the requirements to enjoy a camping trip with solar may appear to be quite complex. But really, all that needs to be done is easy and can be easily grasped even by the least technical of persons.

What Is Solar Camping?

For a beginner who is new to camping with solar, a complete solar makeup requires a battery station and a solar panel that collects energy and stores it for camping use.

It also needs a charge controller, which ensures the durability of the battery. Lastly, there's the inverter which aids in converting currents for appliances that require direct current. All these work together as the solar panels draw power from the sun, which the battery receives through the help of the controller. The controller is a necessary part in cases of fluctuations. 

To understand how to go about your solar-powered camping, knowing how solar works, and getting a full picture of the benefits it provides is the first step. Solar generators produce energy through the use of solar panels, a charge controller, an inverter, and a battery system. All these are integrated and then converted into electrical current.

With a solar powered generator, you get energy that is sustainable, safe for the environment, and, most of all, free. You are introduced to a world of convenience as solar provides the opportunity to access remote campsites. These sites would otherwise not be enjoyed due to the absence of electricity in those areas. This means you can go camping with your devices such as a small fridge, coffee maker, and all other equipment necessary for your convenience. There is also the fact that camping with solar means your peace and quiet stays intact since, unlike gas-powered generators, you are faced with less noise.

Factors To Consider For Solar Camping

1. Your power needs

Camping with solar essentially revolves around making sure to get the perfect solar panel setup for your activities. This must be done with the utmost caution if you intend to make the most out of the trip. The first step would be ensuring you have an idea of your power requirements so as to get only a device that suits your needs. When this is not known beforehand, one could end up going camping with a device that is too small. This can dampen your fun or even damage your solar generator.

When calculating usage, it is important to get a battery if your solar kit does not come with one. This would also be considered the size of the battery you would require depending on your overall power needs. It is best for individuals with high energy requirements to choose a device with a dependable energy capacity. One of such is the best solar generator for camping- AceVolt campower 700w with its 672wh energy capacity.

2. The capacity of your batter generator 

Starting on your journey with solar camping also requires understanding how much solar energy panels gather. This depends on their size, method of usage, and the amount of available sunlight during the day. While it is true that solar energy is dictated by the sun, other factors can affect this. Factors like the location and temperature of the environment play a huge role in determining the number of power collected through solar panels. Therefore, buyers should consider purchasing larger solar panels if they would be camping in areas with little sun or high temperatures. 

3. Energy management

Another helpful tip for a beginner at solar camping is understanding how to utilize the power from your solar panel properly. Using solar panels as extra batteries is important for campers who want to cancel out the risk of managing energy. Or worse, still experiencing a complete blackout arising from a completely used-up solar battery.

One of the huge benefits of camping with solar is the liberty it affords users to bring along their favorite devices. Because of this, there might be the temptation to assume that just anything can be powered at your campsite using solar. This may be correct to a very large extent, but you may want to apply caution while using more energy-consuming heating devices. However, you can be rest assured your solar generator for camping would effectively cater to your regular charging needs. The AceVolt 700W, for instance, can charge your phones (44 charges), MacBooks (9 charges), drones(8 charges), TVs(10 hours), and cameras (35 charges).

Purchasing solar panels would then depend on one's electricity needs. For light users concerned with keeping their phones on and spending the night with the light on, smaller solar panels would be just the right fit. These portable solar panels, on the downside, can only be used for a shorter period, as opposed to those which have a higher wattage. You should opt for a higher watt choice if you do not mind setting up a solar panel system.

4. Positioning of solar panels

Learning how best to position solar panels is important in determining how much power they eventually receive. Panels that face the sun at a perpendicular angle allow the sunlight to reflect properly. Also, this must be set in time as it greatly determines the amount of energy to be gathered. Likewise, elements like dust can obscure the amount of sunlight going into a panel. Mounted panels are often the most affected by this since they are constantly exposed. The solution to this potential hazard is ensuring panel surfaces are kept clean always and wiped carefully to prevent damage.

5. Size of the solar powered generator

Unless one intends to go with a big vehicle, the size and weight of your solar generator is important to factor that cannot be left out. For campers whose trip would be undertaken mostly on foot, you should opt for a portable power station that can be easily lifted. In this case, heavy appliances would be out of the question. This is exactly what the AceVolt 700w is built for. The device is the perfect fit to take along on camping trips that do not require excessive use of solar energy. Your devices such as mobile phones, tent lights, heated blankets are guaranteed complete charge over and over again with this camping solar generator.

6. The environmental condition of your campsite

Asides from the weight factor, the environmental conditions of your campsite also have a role to play in the performance of your power generator; as the temperature of the area drops, the voltage release increases and vice versa. The effect of this is that your battery is not likely to get sufficiently charged, and a power outage is experienced. The number of trees and vegetation also affect performance as they might hinder adequate sunlight from reaching the solar panel. All these must be taken into consideration when deciding on the battery capacity of your solar device. 

7. Compatibility of solar generator with your devices

Now, imagine finally purchasing your desired battery generator and looking forward to a great camping experience only to discover that the device does not work fine on all or most of your devices. Disappointments like that are the exact reason to check out the compatibility of your solar device with your gadgets before deciding on them. Inverters come in handy in cases where the voltage of your equipment and solar battery are a mismatch.

Final Thoughts

With an efficient portable power stations like the AceVolt Campower 700 and AceVolt 200w solar panel, we are reminded that solar generation as an alternative for camping trips has come a long way and is indeed here to stay. Since these devices can be charged anywhere where sunlight exists, you are provided the choice to camp at any destination of preference. You can do this without the fear of dealing with areas with zero electricity.

The money which would have otherwise been spent on gas refilling can also be channeled into enjoying the camping trip as solar power is obtained free of charge—no need to be worked up about camping in areas where gas stations are distant. The troubles of limiting your electricity usage for fear of running out of gas are also completely erased. Moreso, you have a wide range of solar generator sizes to pick from, which can be easily transported while ensuring your power needs are well catered for.