The angel on the roof!!
You know, some 2 years ago, when I had it fitted and it was all part of an insurance claim after my beloved Elddis Crusader was stolen by Gypsies, (proven!), I had the idea that it would keep my batteries charged and stop me from going backwards and forwards to the storage sites carrying a spare battery to replace the one that had gone flat in storage which had been the case for years A live battery of course is important as it invalidates an insurance claim if it is found that the battery for a tracker or alarm was not working at the time of the crime.
Today, I went to the storage site to do some work on the caravan. The first thing i did was to clear the snow from the Solar Panel. Once I had done that, I checked the panel and saw that the battery was at 14.2v. Great. I put the Alde heating on with the pump drawing about 1.3 amps (according to Alde) and with the panel easily keeping pace with it. With the Van heating up nicely, I cleared the rest of the snow from the roof and did some other little bits outside. Then it was time to do what I wanted to do inside, with the temperature around freezing, I was lovely and warm and was able to work in comfort without being hindered by massive woolly jumpers or Club together fleeces (some of you will remember those) yes, I did have mine with me! with the use of my inverter and the panel providing all the power I needed, I was able to use my 240v power tools AND Hoover up after the improvements had been made. What a difference to when I started caravanning 25 yrs ago!! If I had wanted to do that I would have had to have found a hook up and put the gas fire on. What, I wonder, will be the next big thing to come to market to make the lives of vanners easier - and cheaper !