A Tale of Watts, Woes, and Wi-Fi
Welcome, fellow road warriors and electricity enthusiasts! Gather ’round as I regale you with the shocking tale of my quest to electrify my humble abode on wheels, affectionately known as “Happy Little Place.” Buckle up, because we’re about to embark on a journey through the wild world of watts, where cameras spy, routers roam, and solar panels save the day!
The Power Predicament
Picture this: there I was, standing in my motorhome, surrounded by gadgets and gizmos aplenty, when suddenly it hit me like a bolt of lightning – I needed power! But not just any power, oh no. I needed the kind of juice that would keep my electronic security system running smoother than a freshly waxed solar panel.
Now, before you start thinking I’m some sort of paranoid road-tripper expecting to fend off hordes of campground bandits, let me explain. I simply wanted to ensure that my beloved “Happy Little Place” remained, well, happy and secure. Plus, let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to check in on their motorhome from time to time to make sure it hasn’t sprouted wheels and decided to take a vacation of its own?
The Camera Conundrum
Enter the Aqara Camera Hub G2H Pro, a device so sophisticated it probably has a higher IQ than most reality TV stars. This little beauty promised to be my eyes and ears when I couldn’t be there in person. But as with all great love stories, there was a catch – it needed power, and not just a little sip here and there.
Let’s break it down, shall we?
Aqara Camera Hub G2H Pro:
Power Supply Input: 5V⎓1A
Overall Power Consumption: 5 W
Daily consumption: 5 W × 24 hours = 120 Wh
Now, 120 watt-hours per day might not sound like much, but in the world of motorhome electrics, it’s like trying to fit an elephant into a Mini Cooper – technically possible, but not without a few raised eyebrows and some serious squeezing.
The Wi-Fi Woes
But wait, there’s more! Because what good is a camera if you can’t access it remotely? Enter the ZTE MU5120 MiFi router, the unsung hero of our tale. This little device promised to keep me connected faster than you can say “Is this campsite’s Wi-Fi powered by a hamster wheel?”
Now, our MiFi friend here is a bit of a drama queen when it comes to power consumption. When it’s charging, it gulps down 27 watts like it’s at an all-you-can-eat buffet. But once it’s full, it settles down to a more reasonable 2.5 watts on average. Let’s do the maths, shall we?
ZTE MU5120 MiFi Router:
Average power consumption: 2.5 watts
Daily consumption: 2.5 W × 24 hours = 60 Wh
Add that to our camera’s appetite, and we’re looking at a grand total of 180 watt-hours per day. It’s like having a tiny, electricity-hungry gremlin living in your motorhome!
Solar Salvation
At this point, I was starting to wonder if I should just train a squad of fireflies to light up my motorhome instead. But then, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds (pun absolutely intended), I remembered – solar panels!
Now, calculating the required solar power is about as straightforward as trying to parallel park a motorhome in any UK city during rush hour. But fear not, for I shall break it down for you with the precision of a Swiss watch (that’s powered by solar, of course).
First, we need to account for those pesky system losses. It’s like trying to fill a bucket with a hole in it – you always need a bit extra to make up for what you lose along the way. I tend to calculate a 20%, much the same as I do for my project plans. disparity
Adjusted Daily Requirement = Total Daily Consumption ÷ 0.8
Adjusted Daily Requirement = 180 Wh ÷ 0.8 = 225 Wh
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The amount of solar power you need depends on how much sunshine you get. Living in the UK, I’m more familiar with liquid sunshine (read: rain) than the actual ball of fire in the sky. But let’s be optimistic and assume for where I live we get about 2.9 hours of peak sunlight per day.
Required Solar Wattage = Adjusted Daily Requirement ÷ Peak Sun Hours
Required Solar Wattage = 225 Wh ÷ 2.9 hours = 77.59 W
So, there you have it, folks! Our 100-watt solar panel should do the trick. But let’s face it, in the world of solar power, size does matter!
The Great Controller Debate
Now, you might think that slapping a solar panel on your roof and calling it a day would be enough. Welcome to the world of charge controllers, where PWM and MPPT duke it out in a battle of efficiency!
PWM: The Penny-Pinching Powerhouse
PWM, or Pulse Width Modulation, is like that friend who insists on splitting the bill down to the last penny. It’s simple, straightforward, and gets the job done… most of the time.
MPPT: The Maximising Maestro
MPPT, or Maximum Power Point Tracking, is the overachiever of the controller world. It’s like having a personal trainer for your solar panel, constantly pushing it to give its best performance.
Let’s break down the differences, shall we?
| Feature | PWM Controllers | MPPT Controllers |
|---|---|---|
| Operating Principle | Matches battery voltage | Operates above battery voltage |
| Efficiency | Lower efficiency | Higher efficiency (20-30% more) |
| Cost | Generally cheaper | More expensive |
| Suitable System Size | Small systems | Larger systems (≥150W) |
| Temperature Performance | Better in warm climates | Better in cold climates |
Living in the UK, where the weather is about as predictable as a cat’s mood, the MPPT controller started looking mighty attractive. Sure, it’s more expensive, but can you really put a price on squeezing every last drop of power from those rare sunny days?
The Final Showdown
In the end, it came down to a face-off between the EPSOLAR EPIPDB-COM 10A Duo (try saying that five times fast) and the Victron Energy SmartSolar 12/24 MPPT 100/30 (which sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie).
Let’s compare these bad boys:
| Feature | EPSOLAR EPIPDB-COM 10A Duo | Victron Energy SmartSolar 12/24 MPPT 100/30 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | PWM | MPPT |
| Rated Charge Current | 10A | 30A |
| Maximum Solar Voltage | 30V (12V system) / 55V (24V system) | 100V |
| Efficiency | Typically around 70-80% | Up to 98% |
| Battery Types Supported | Sealed, Gel, Flooded | Sealed, Gel, Flooded, Lithium |
The Victron MPPT controller is like the Swiss Army knife of solar charging – it does everything but make your morning coffee (though I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re working on that feature for the next model).
The Verdict
After much deliberation, number-crunching, and a fair bit of head-scratching, I decided to go with the Victron Energy Blue Solar MPPT 100/30. Yes, it’s another spend, but can you really put a price on peace of mind? (Spoiler alert: apparently, you can, and it’s the cost of an MPPT controller.)
With this setup, my 100-watt solar panel will be working harder than a wallpaper hanger, ensuring that my camera keeps a watchful eye and my Wi-Fi keeps me connected to the outside world (or at least to my favorite cat videos).
The Power of Power
And so, dear readers, we come to the end of our electrifying tale. My “Happy Little Place” is now a fortress of electronic wizardry, ready to face whatever the British weather can throw at it (which, let’s be honest, is probably rain).
Remember, in the world of motorhome electronics, it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey… and making sure you have enough power to charge your phone when you get there.
So, the next time you see a motorhome cruising down the highway with a solar panel gleaming on its roof, give a little nod of respect. For inside, there’s probably someone just like me, basking in the glow of their fully charged devices, watching their security camera feed, and wondering if they remembered to pack the teabags.
In my next blog I will take you through the setting up of the IoT (the Internet of Things), many little devices
Until next time, may your batteries be full, your Wi-Fi strong, and your adventures endless. Happy trails, and don’t forget to wave at the security cameras!learner who has no maths qualification, what should I do?