With the mid-year school break upon us there are plenty of Aussie families preparing to hit the camping trail. To ensure it’s a resounding success, there is merit in the Scout’s motto: Be Prepared.
National Luna 60LT twin fridge -freezer
Camping in wintertime can warm your soul and lets you see the country in a totally different light. Whether its snowy hinterland regions or outback destinations, the joy of the winter majesty can turn sour very quickly if you’re cold, dark and missing the ability to brew a coffee, so keeping your electrical equipment in tip-top shape becomes even more important.
According to Battery World ambassador John Kilby setting up camping electrical equipment is key to a comfortable outdoor experience.
“Running additional electrical equipment off your car’s starter battery is a really bad idea,” he said. “It might be fine for charging your mobile phone whilst driving, but it’s absolutely not adapted to the sustained power outputs needed over a long period of time like when camping.”
You don’t want to hear that dreaded click click from the starter motor from over discharging the starting battery from your accessories.
Mr Kilby explained that a car’s starter battery as a bit like a camera flash – great for short intense bursts of light, but not so good for lighting a room over the course of a night.
“What you need is a battery better suited to long periods of sustained output, this is where a deep-cycle battery works best.
“They’re designed to give a steady flow of power over a longer period, but not suited to starting a car engine. This is where a dual battery setup comes into play, with two batteries, one dedicated starter battery and one deep cycle battery which gives you the best of both worlds.”
He said that once you have a second, dedicated camping battery, you’ll need something to charge and maintain it.
There are several options available to manage the charging needs as well as keeping you advised of the current state of the batteries including how much power is left and how much power is going into the battery.
If you’ve decided to go truly off-grid and run with solar panels to recharge the system (good idea) you’ll also need a solar regulator to manage that side of the equation and prevent overcharging once the batteries are fully charged. If you want to kit your vehicle out completely there are units will do both DC to DC charging and includes the solar regulator.
But bear in mind, if you just have solar charging it does present a few challenges in winter.
“It’s worth considering that the days are shorter so there’s less charging time,” he added.
“The longer nights also mean you’ll run the lights and other accessories longer so that’ll be a bigger drain as well. The sun is also lower so solar panels need to be tilted towards the low winter sun and they may get more readily blocked by trees or hills.”
What equipment do I need to power my campsite?
- A good quality deep cycle battery to power the fridge. The perfect battery for you depends on the size you want, how long you want to be away for and of course budget
- A battery box to place your batteries in. Some battery boxes are multi-functional - giving you outlets to plug all your devices into, including USB connections for your smart devices and other DC outlet sockets, such as a cigarette socket. They may also monitor your battery’s voltage and state of charge. The Hard Korr Heavy Duty Battery Box is one of our top picks thanks to its standout features such as multiple ports to connect a range of devices and durability.
- Solar panel to add additional power to your campsite, so you always have a source of power wherever you are. You can also grab smaller, lighter solar blankets for easier portability. A solar blanket, such as the Hard Korr 200W Portable Solar Blanket, is perfect for occasional campers on a budget. Don’t let its size fool you, it can provide sufficient output to power even a large campsite.
- Inverter to power your 240V home devices such as laptop or electric chainsaw everyone seems to have these days. Depending on the wattage of your appliances there are different inverters available for you!
- A good camping fridge to keep your food and drinks chilled while you’re out exploring your surroundings. It’s important to pre-cool your fridge before heading out to ensure everything stays cold while you’re away. The National Luna 60LT twin fridge -freezer is the perfect camping companion and holds up to 60 cans!
- Camping light kit to keep the campsite singing all night long. We recommend LED lighting that is remote switchable and have anti-bug colours. LED is also low-power consumption, which is friendly for your battery.
Whether you’re a seasoned camper or pitching your first tent, Battery World’s experienced battery experts across the country are available to help you plan and power a great Aussie adventure – just head to your nearest store.
*Source: MEL HEALY, Brand Communication Specialist, melinda@elevatecom.com.au
elevatecom.com.au
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