Power & Solar Directory

Are you looking to upgrade your camping power system or simply want to educate yourself further? We’ve covered everything from battery types to the definition of the different terms used in the power/solar category.

Connectivity

Rover 40Ah to 50L fridge runtime: The expected run time of a 50L Single Zone Fridge (set at +4 fridge) is 36-48 hours with no assistance from solar.
Rover 40Ah to 75L fridge runtime: The expected run time of a 75L Dual Zone Fridge (set at +4/-16 fridge/freezer) is 16-24 hours with no assistance from solar.
Rover 70Ah to fridge runtime: The expected run time of a 50L Single Zone Fridge (set at +4 fridge) is 60-72 hours with no assistance from solar.
Rover 70Ah to fridge runtime: The expected run time of a 75L Dual Zone Fridge (set at +4/-16 fridge/freezer) is 24-36 hours with no assistance from solar.

Listed runtimes are dependent on whether the fridge has been set up and maintained correctly. For more information on how to increase your fridge/freezer performance click here.

Use the Rover Power Station/s in conjunction with Companion solar chargers and you will have the ability to power a fridge and charge all USB, USB C and 12V devices including laptops, cameras, phones, and CPAP machines indefinitely. If you are looking to extend run times further consider upgrading to a Lithium Fridge/Freezer.

Battery differences

Lithium VS Lead Acid (wet battery): As their names imply, lithium-ion batteries are made with the metal lithium, while lead-acid batteries are made with lead. Lithium-ion and lead acid batteries can both store energy effectively, but each has unique advantages and drawbacks including capacity, efficiency, weight, depth of drawback and lifespan.

Weight: Lithium batteries are roughly 1/3 of weight of the equivalent Lead Acid/AGM/WET Battery and are also smaller in size.
Lifespan: lithium-ion batteries generally last for several times the number of cycles as lead acid batteries,
Depth of discharge: While it is normal to use 85 percent or more of a lithium-ion battery’s total capacity in a single cycle, lead acid batteries should not be discharged past roughly 50 percent, as doing so negatively impacts the lifetime of the battery.
Efficiency: Lead acid batteries see efficiencies close to 80 – 85% whereas most lithium-ion batteries are at 95%. This means that 95% or more of the energy stored in a lithium-ion battery is actually able to be used.
Capacity: Lithium-ion battery technology has been well-proven to have a significantly higher energy density than lead acid batteries. This means more energy can be stored in a lithium-ion battery using the same physical space.

Terms

MPPT: MPPT stands for Maximum Power Point Tracking. It is an electronic controller that extracts the power from a solar panel and converts it into specific voltage and amperage to optimally charge a battery/power station. MPPT works a little more efficiently than PVM (Pulse Width Modulation) at converting solar energy into power in low light conditions.

ETFE: ETFE, or ethylene tetrafluoroethylene is a coating on our solar panels which not only protects the cells from dirt, dust, and other elements, but it also provides an easy clean surface. Gently wipe each panel over with a clean micro-fibre cloth before folding the system up to prevent potential damage occurring in storage.

BMS: A Battery Management System is essential in a Lithium-Ion battery system. This device manages a real-time control of each battery cell, communicates with external devices, and measures temperature and voltage, etc.

FAQ's

For more information on the Companion Solar and Power range check read our frequently asked questions guide - Solar Chargers and Rover Power Stations.

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