Yes I am a bit of a Philistine asking this here

Chebeag · 2026-01-18T14:30:02+0000

Happy New Year an aw that.

I know I am a bit off topic but hope someone can help.

Horror of horrors !!

I have bought a Caravan. Plan is to use it as a base in the north of Scotland and still tour about in the Campervan.

My plan is to fit solar panels as there is no mains power on site. The question is how do I do this so that I can utilise the caravans electrical system.

Planning on 200w solar and 4x110ah lead acid batteries.

Any advice would be appreciated.

maingate · 2026-01-18T15:26:45+0000

Your first step would be to find a diagram showing you how to link 4 batteries together in series. There are some online if you check.

You have not said if it is a static caravan or a mobile one, which makes advice difficult. If it is a mobile, it should already have a battery fitted (or at least the cables) already in place. Just connect to them. I would get an electrician to look at it first as you may need to uprate cables if you will use any 12 volt power with a high current draw. For the North of Scotland I would probably add more than 200 watts of solar but it depends how much time you will spend in the caravan.

Molly 3 · 2026-01-18T15:58:31+0000

Buy a power station put a 3 pin plug on hook up lead , 240 into van , 200 watt on roof should keep up ,not sure about leaving power station on charge when unattended

runnach · 2026-01-18T16:52:38+0000

2 to 3000 watt inverter a definite addition too.

One of our member is selling a 1000W solar generator including 2 x solar panels, drop him a PM for further info.

https://motorhomer.com/threads/jackory-power-bank-and-200wx-solar-panels-for-sale.49377/

Chebeag · 2026-01-18T17:22:03+0000

maingate said:
Your first step would be to find a diagram showing you how to link 4 batteries together in series. There are some online if you check.

You have not said if it is a static caravan or a mobile one, which makes advice difficult. If it is a mobile, it should already have a battery fitted (or at least the cables) already in place. Just connect to them. I would get an electrician to look at it first as you may need to uprate cables if you will use any 12 volt power with a high current draw. For the North of Scotland I would probably add more than 200 watts of solar but it depends how much time you will spend in the caravan.

Hi It's a Mobile caravan but will be permanently sited. (Can't get a static onto the site because of a low bridge.)
There wont be any heavy draws on power, Lights USB sockets and TV. Fridge and water heater are both Gas. Don't have any plan to use 240 side, but I have a Genny if I need it for anything.
Really just wondering if I can just hook up to the original wiring, so I'm guessing that is a yes

What would be the best solar controller for this kind of set up, that would allow for more panels in the future?

Chebeag · 2026-01-18T17:25:20+0000

Molly 3 said:
Buy a power station put a 3 pin plug on hook up lead , 240 into van , 200 watt on roof should keep up ,not sure about leaving power station on charge when unattended

I already have the panel and batteries, although I had thought about a power station. I'm only needing 12v power for the caravan for lights USB and TV.

TJBi · 2026-01-18T17:25:46+0000

Do you already have the lead acid batteries? If not, any reason for specifying lead acid?

Chebeag · 2026-01-18T17:26:31+0000

runnach said:
2 to 3000 watt inverter a definite addition too.

One of our member is selling a 1000W solar generator including 2 x solar panels, drop him a PM for further info.

https://motorhomer.com/threads/jackory-power-bank-and-200wx-solar-panels-for-sale.49377/

I already have the panel and batteries, although I had thought about a power station. I'm only needing 12v power for the caravan for lights USB and TV. Thanks anyway

Chebeag · 2026-01-18T17:36:36+0000

TJBi said:
Do you already have the lead acid batteries? If not, any reason for specifying lead acid?

Yeah already have Batteries and Solar panel

maingate · 2026-01-18T19:23:04+0000

Here is a web page showing the connections for multiple batteries. I cannot find the exact one I wanted but this is good enough for what you need.

https://www.batteriesplus.com/blog/power/series-and-parallel

Again, I apologise for my erroneous information in post 2. I should have said wire the batteries in PARALLEL and not series.

Geek · 2026-01-19T09:09:53+0000

Molly 3 said:
Buy a power station put a 3 pin plug on hook up lead , 240 into van , 200 watt on roof should keep up ,not sure about leaving power station on charge when unattended

That is a rather expensive way to do it.

Yes I am a bit of a Philistine asking this here

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