My Simple Bug-Out Camper Solar Lighting Solution

Simple and Inexpensive Solar Lighting Solution

The below does not simply espouse
theoretical ideas, but actually details a fully tested and fully
functional lighting solution for our family’s “bug out” camper.

The Problem:

We realized a need for a self-contained, non-grid dependent lighting solution for our camping/bug out camper.

Solution found::

A battery charged by an efficient solar panel and using LED light bulbs and also one two bulb fluorescent fixture.

How we did it:

Materials Used:

A used, but good quality, 12 Volt Automotive Battery (free, from a scrapped farm truck)
A new solar panel from an automatic deer/cattle feeder ($11.00 )
Three toggle switches, one on-off-on and two on-off ($9.00 )
Automotive Wire ($20.00 approximately)
Two used ambulance dome light fixtures ($10.00 )
one used/junk halogen flood light fixture (free)
One new Steel handi-box ($1.79)
One new Blank box cover ($0.59
One new Plastic Automotive Battery Box ($16.00 )
One old flush mount round tail lamp

Putting it all together:

First, we mounted the battery box on the tongue of trailer and put the
battery in it.  From the Negative Post of the battery, we ran #10
wire to the frame for a ground.
Secondly, we mounted the solar panel on the roof of the camper, running
the red wire to the battery positive post and the black wire to ground.
(at this point the battery is charging @ 1.2 amps, 12.9VDC)
We then mounted the switch box to control all of the lights from inside the camper.
We then proceeded to mount the lamps,
As an extra, but not at all necessary to the system, we added a 13 amp
120VAC to 12VDC transformer to the system so that we could use the
lighting even if we were plugged into AC Power from the grid or a
generator.

How we have tested the system:

Last summer we conducted a test on the system by turning on all of the
lights on the camper, less the fluorescent lamps, all night, every
night, for seven days.  The end result was that the lamps never
dimmed nor did the battery ever loose more than 10% of it’s charge in
total.  Additionally, we have used the camper at two separate
events with no problems whatsoever.

Extras we have added to the system:

We added a cigarette lighter female plug for charging cell phones. 
It can also be used for running a laptop or tablet for short periods of
time. We also added a 12 volt weather radio and low power GMRS
transmitter/receiver combo. In standby mode, this radio only uses .08
amps.

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