Hi - it's Fforest Fields in Mid Wales (I've done a few videos from there recently including the Yurts they have there). Great site and well worth a visit.
Don't know if anyone has mentioned this but generally solar panel cells are connected in a series/parallel format to produce the required voltage output (think batteries). If just one of those cells is in shadow it will reduce the efficiency of its neighbours. I noticed the bottom cells of your panel on the ground were behind some grass. This may not make a massive difference but when you are looking for max output in hazy conditions it's worth checking. Interested to hear if others have found this.
Anything that prevents maximum light hitting the panels will reduce the output - biggest tip I have if you're around camp with a portable panel is not to just set it up and point it south, but to move it around to track the Sun as much as possible (same as a fancy auto tracking panel, but on the cheap!). Another tip, budget permitting etc., would be to buy bigger panels than you think you'll need - this panel does well but, with the benefit of hindsight, I'd probably go for a 150w or 200w set up. Cheers.
fantastic kit. i use large wipes from tesco. about a quid 50 a pack but they are about 1ft square and great for washing/cleaning. for the colder nights have you seen the electric floor mats/pet mats/foot warmers... they come in all sizes and shapes and 12v or usb powered and different names... they may eat the batteries but put one on the floor and turn it on for 15mins befor bed and you will be toasty :D i have usb electric hand warmers and a small usb electric blanket. i say blanket but its big enough to use as a seat pad but would be great to put under your hips or chest and it will run for hours of a usb battery bank. looks like you have more gear than you need, im the same with 2 stoves in the car and more lights than i will ever need and 6 cups lol
Nice to hear from you matey! I do take a lot of stuff, but I've never been one to travel light unless I have to! Whether I go away for a couple of days or a couple of weeks, it's all in there - just add food and water. Last winter I did use the site electric hookup and it was great to have a heated throw and electric heater - I was hoping the power station I bought would run the throw on a low setting, but it was useless - I think for this winter, I might go for a decent power station like a EcoFlow Delta 2 instead of buying cheap stuff (having said that, that little power gen and solar panel worked great this time). Cheers.
A tip for you for your autumn camping those travel blankets your using as curtsins you can replace with the 12v heated throws work to keep chill off and as a curtain double win win
Great run down of your set up, good to see the solar is out doing its thing. Interesting the Allpowers unit didn't work out. You mentioned the Hopwinn is 200 odd watts, do you know what size Ah the battery is? Even though i've made my own, I do quite fancy the Ecoflow Delta 2...
Perhaps I got a Friday night one, but the Allpowers has been disappointing - not saying all reviews are biased, but perhaps a lesson in not listening too much to YT reviews from folk who've been given stuff for free. The Hopwinn has a 288wh battery - it's Ok, but it's a LiPo (Lithium Polymer) not a LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) so, in theory, not as safe and won't last as long. I too fancy the Ecoflow Delta 2 and a 200w solar panel - with something like that, I could power things like a electric blanket etc. all night.
setting up is part of the fun gary wouldn't you agree :) got everything covered there i think, looking good 👍
I certainly agree, but it's not for everyone it seems! I'm as happy as Larry in there - I could stay in there indefinitely really. Cheers
You have a great set up and the site looks good. Would you be able to share the location please.
Hi - it's Fforest Fields in Mid Wales (I've done a few videos from there recently including the Yurts they have there). Great site and well worth a visit.
@@104s_Unplugged Thank you.
Don't know if anyone has mentioned this but generally solar panel cells are connected in a series/parallel format to produce the required voltage output (think batteries). If just one of those cells is in shadow it will reduce the efficiency of its neighbours. I noticed the bottom cells of your panel on the ground were behind some grass. This may not make a massive difference but when you are looking for max output in hazy conditions it's worth checking. Interested to hear if others have found this.
Anything that prevents maximum light hitting the panels will reduce the output - biggest tip I have if you're around camp with a portable panel is not to just set it up and point it south, but to move it around to track the Sun as much as possible (same as a fancy auto tracking panel, but on the cheap!). Another tip, budget permitting etc., would be to buy bigger panels than you think you'll need - this panel does well but, with the benefit of hindsight, I'd probably go for a 150w or 200w set up. Cheers.
fantastic kit.
i use large wipes from tesco. about a quid 50 a pack but they are about 1ft square and great for washing/cleaning.
for the colder nights have you seen the electric floor mats/pet mats/foot warmers...
they come in all sizes and shapes and 12v or usb powered and different names...
they may eat the batteries but put one on the floor and turn it on for 15mins befor bed and you will be toasty :D
i have usb electric hand warmers and a small usb electric blanket. i say blanket but its big enough to use as a seat pad but would be great to put under your hips or chest and it will run for hours of a usb battery bank.
looks like you have more gear than you need, im the same with 2 stoves in the car and more lights than i will ever need and 6 cups lol
Nice to hear from you matey!
I do take a lot of stuff, but I've never been one to travel light unless I have to! Whether I go away for a couple of days or a couple of weeks, it's all in there - just add food and water.
Last winter I did use the site electric hookup and it was great to have a heated throw and electric heater - I was hoping the power station I bought would run the throw on a low setting, but it was useless - I think for this winter, I might go for a decent power station like a EcoFlow Delta 2 instead of buying cheap stuff (having said that, that little power gen and solar panel worked great this time). Cheers.
Looks good mate
I'm totally happy in there matey - looking forward to the Autumn and Winter.
@@104s_Unpluggedsee tip I just posted
A tip for you for your autumn camping those travel blankets your using as curtsins you can replace with the 12v heated throws work to keep chill off and as a curtain double win win
Heated curtains sound good!
@@104s_Unplugged there cheep too lol
Great run down of your set up, good to see the solar is out doing its thing. Interesting the Allpowers unit didn't work out. You mentioned the Hopwinn is 200 odd watts, do you know what size Ah the battery is? Even though i've made my own, I do quite fancy the Ecoflow Delta 2...
Perhaps I got a Friday night one, but the Allpowers has been disappointing - not saying all reviews are biased, but perhaps a lesson in not listening too much to YT reviews from folk who've been given stuff for free. The Hopwinn has a 288wh battery - it's Ok, but it's a LiPo (Lithium Polymer) not a LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) so, in theory, not as safe and won't last as long. I too fancy the Ecoflow Delta 2 and a 200w solar panel - with something like that, I could power things like a electric blanket etc. all night.
@@104s_Unpluggeda good channel to watch is by Will Prowse, he rates the Delta 2. Seems pretty genuine and tears down units to see what’s inside 👍
@@The_Last_Post - it's a big shout whether I need something that big or do I go for something smaller, but from a quality manufacturer.
Don't you take any Radios with you
Total radio dead-zone around there - I've tried CB, 446 and Meshtastic and not a peep out of any of them! Cheers.