Solar lighting?

[48fordnut]

I do 2 auto swap meets a yr and a couple of airplane shows. I stay in my E250 van at night. i like the sitting around conversations. I need some light in the van so that I can read at night annd in the AM to shave.
What size solar panel will accomplish this?
I guess I could get one of the small book lights that you hook on the book, but I wanted something larger.

This place rocks,almost any info is here. Great place.

Thanks,
jim

 

[laser3kw]

something like this - but it will take a little time for setup

 

[BADSIX]

why not go to 12 volt led lights that would run off your van battery the drain would be minute. your local rv store should have them in all sizes.
Jay D.

 

[METALMOVER]

How bout solar powered deck lights or flag pole lights? Just sit em on top of your van during the day. MM

 

[Big Bad Dad]

Harbor Freight has some small solar panels (about 6"x6") with lights connected with a 15 foot wire for about $22 bucks. I put up two of them on my porch to light up the steps and front door when coming home at night. I love 'em. It would be pretty easy to rig up an outside mounting for the panel and an inside mount for the light.
(Look up the 36 LED Solar Security Light. ITEM# 69644)

 

[48fordnut]

I looked at that , and thought it might not be enough. Also looked at the larger one . Guess that what going on .Might be on sale for the Fathers day sale.
Thanks, all.

 

[JimVonBaden]

I use a fan/LED set-up from Walmart that is 12 volt. I also run my CPAP on it and get three nights from a small motorcycle battery before it needs a charge. Plenty of light and the fan is great for warm nights. If you were just running the fan and LEDs, it would likely last a week.

 

[teal95]

I would just buy a few of the stick in landscape lights. Cheap ($2-3 each), the only catch is you have to remember to stick them outside in the morning. And if you need more light just get more of them. Of course you could disassemble them and out the little solar panels on the roof and permanently install them.

steve

 

[Chris4x4Gill2]

We use a 7watt soalr panel to charge a deep cycle battery. The battery runs our 12 volt light setup just fine through a 3-4 day weekend during hunting season.

You could do the same and wire 12 volts lights using your van battery and just clamp a solar panel on to recharge during the day while parked. I would add a jump box to your kit to make sure you can get home if you dont add a second battery.

 

[MScott]

Friend of mine had a cottage that was off grid, using a generator for power when needed. They had a number of outdoor solar lights stuck in the top of beer bottles. These would be set on the deck during the day, then brought inside at night and lit the cottage up very well. Another advantage was that they were portable and could be carried around if needed.
I agree with the use of 12 volt LED's. These use very little power and can be powered by the battery in your van recharged with a small solar panel or even the van engine.