Frequently asked questions.

Our FAQ page is dedicated to answering all questions related to off-grid caravanning and 4WD’ing. FAQ about solar panels on caravans or 4WD, off-grid solar power set-ups, lithium battery off grid power management systems, 12v battery chargers, caravan inverters, solar regulators and more.

We regularly update our frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) here.

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4WD & Caravan Solar Panel Installation

Yes, we supply and install quality RV solar panel solutions for all types of caravans and RVs.
For the best caravan solar installation we may use use thin solar panels, lightweight fixed solar panels and portable solar panels. We choose the best quality mono & poly crystalline solar panels from 100W to 200W. We prefer the Enerdrive solar panels due to their high quality, exceptional output and realiablity

  • Caravans Solar Panels
  • Pop-top Solar Panels
  • Motorhomes Solar Panels
  • Campervans Solar Panels
  • Camper trailers Solar Panels
  • Fifth Wheelers Solar Panels
  • Converted buses Solar Panels
  • Converted coaches Solar Panels
  • Combi vans Solar Panels
  • 4 Wheel Drives Solar Panels
  • Portable camping solar panels Solar Panels

We specialise in the installation of caravan solar panels, both fixed and portable, which can be adapted to many types of regulators and battery systems (including Lithium).

If you wish to install a new caravan solar system or add to an existing caravan solar power system we can advise on how much solar you will need.

What Is Solar Power For A Caravan, Camper Trailer, Motor Home or RV?

Solar Panels are used for caravan, camper trailer, motor home and RV’s to charge the house batteries when not plugged into mains power.

Solar panels convert the sunlight to electricity; direct current (DC) electricity, which is used to charge the caravan batteries.

A quality caravan solar panel installation is designed to repidly charge the caravan batteries to enable regarding of batteries without being plugged into mains power. Solar panels are also used on 4WD to charge the second auxiliary battery.

Learn More

How to monitor power generated from solar panels?

Yes! With PICO battery monitor, you can precisely measure how much power you get from your solar panel, wind and hydro generators, and shore power chargers. PICO is also an excellent tool to detect any possible malfunction – for example – if your solar panels are dirty, they will produce less power, and you will see that on your PICO. Monitor your power sources is enable via the installation of the appropriate shunt.

CONTACT USE TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION

Should my car battery charge my caravan battery while driving?

Ultimately yes, your caravan house battery should be charging while driving. The caravan fridge, as well as potentially your electric hot water system, and even electronic devices will be drawing down the battery while in transit. Therefore, it is necessary, particularly to power the fridge, to have a solution to charge your caravan batteries while in transit.

Learn More about Charging Caravan Battery with Tow Vehicle

Auto Electrican?

In addition to being qualified to do auto electrics, which is all your 12 volt power, we are qualified Electricians, which means we can do 240 volt power - eg. that is wiring power to your caravan power points, (so you can use 240 volt (home) appliances in van while off grid).

Auto electrician are NOT qualified nor legally allowed to hard wire an inverter to 240V power sockets to power appliances in a caravan or back of a 4WD, such as induction cooktop, hair dryer, air conditioner, coffee machine, charge laptop, drone, power StarLink etc.

Auto electricians are restricted by law and can not install any 240 volt electrics, you need a qualified 12V and 240V electrician to install 240V power sockets and to do any works to the 240V switch board.

Caravan Electrician

Outech OffGrid are qualified Electricians, which means we can do 240 volt power - eg. that is wiring power to your caravan power points, (so you can use 240 volt (home) appliances in van while off grid).

Auto electrician are NOT qualified nor legally allowed to hard wire an inverter to 240V power sockets to power appliances in a caravan or back of a 4WD, such as induction cooktop, hair dryer, air conditioner, coffee machine, charge laptop, drone, power StarLink etc.

Outech OffGrid hold a Electrical Licence which is compulsary by law in Australia to complete any 240V electrical works.
Electrical Contractors Licence : EC014408

What DC-DC Charger Do I Need For My Caravan or 4WD?

The answer to this depends on many factors, such as current load dependency - ie portable fridges, compressor fridge or 3 Way Fridge, water heaters, camping equipment, lights, solar panels and solar setup, type of batteries, ie lithium batteries or AGM batteries, the type of tow vehicle, type of trailer and the list can go on as wiring in caravans and power load demand varies from caravan manufacture to caravan manufacture.

To summarise, key considerations to choosing which DC-DC Charge to best suit your battery system:

  • Load Dependency
  • Type of Battery
  • Size of Battery
  • Type of vehicle / trailer / caravan

Learn More About DC-DC Chargers for your car and caravan

How to Clean Your Caravan Solar Panels

How To Maintain Your Caravan Solar Panels

Keep Them Clean. Bird Poop, Dust, Grime & Tree Sap build up blocks the sun from efficient absorption by the panels.

How to Clean Your Caravan Solar Panels

  1. Carefully remove any leaves and twigs from underneath and between the solar panels.
  2. Spray entire caravan roof and solar panel surface with water.
  3. Use a soft broom, sponge, or a soft window cleaning squeegee and gently clean with soapy water to remove anything on the surface of the panels.
  4. Hose off all soap residue.

Note:

  1. Avoid standing on top of the caravan as much as possible - using a ladder is preferable.
  2. Do not stand or apply pressure to solar panels.

Are your solar panels not working efficiently or not providing the power that you need for your caravan?

Contact Outech OffGrid today and we will test your solar panels and offer a solution so you can power you next off grid caravan adventure around Australia!

Are Lithium Batteries Better Than AGM Battering?

Lithium batteries are great for those taking longer, off-grid trips, where accessibility to power sources is limited. They have a larger battery capacity, provide power for longer periods of time and are lighter in weight.

Lithium batteries are also equipped with a quicker charge time of up than an AGM Lead Acid Battery and require almost no maintenance.

Outech recommened Enerdrive Lithium Batteries and Custom Lithium Batteries for their higher performance, efficiency, and better longevity, and bang for your buck.

Battery Monitors

Smart Battery Monitors

The Simarine PICO is the ultimate battery monitoring system that sets new standards of controlling and analysing battery and tank condition on the caravan market.

It is precise in monitoring battery state of charge, voltage and temperature. Supporting various voltage configurations (12V, 24V, 36V and 48V), even in the same system. Multiple battery, consumer and generator monitoring on both low (-) and high (+) side. Compatible with both Lead-Acid and Lithium-ion batteries.

Simarine Pico is the ultimate solution for monitoring your battery and tank system in your caravan, camper trailer, motor home, RV and 4WD and this is why Outech OFFGrid chose it as the preferred battery monitor in our off grid power setups.

CONTACT USE TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION

Where Can I Find The Simarine PICO Battery Monitor Manual?

To download the latest verson of user manuals and wiring diagrams, see below: Simarine Manuals

Should my car battery charge my caravan battery while driving??

Ultimately yes, your caravan house battery should be charging while driving.
The caravan fridge, as well as potentially your electric hot water system, and even electronic devices will be drawing down the battery while in transit. Therefore, it is necessary, particularly to power the fridge, to have a solution to charge your caravan batteries while in transit.

Outech OffGrid Power Solutions specialise in the supply and installation of solar panels, lithium batteries and complete power management systems for off grid portable applications; such as caravans, motor homes, camper trailers, campervans, RV's, camping, 4WD and touring.

Outech hold an electrical contractors licence and our technicians are qualified electricans qualified to install and repair 12 volt,24 volt and 240 volt.

Can you use Starlink in my caravan??

Starlink for your Caravan, RV or Van in Australia in now available. Outech Offgrid can set up Starlink in your caravan. See our YouTub https://youtube.com/shorts/F0HNVGxKQpQ

Should my car battery charge my caravan battery while driving??

Ultimately yes, your caravan house battery should be charging while driving.
The caravan fridge, as well as potentially your electric hot water system, and even electronic devices will be drawing down the battery while in transit. Therefore, it is necessary, particularly to power the fridge, to have a solution to charge your caravan batteries while in transit.

Outech OffGrid Power Solutions specialise in the supply and installation of solar panels, lithium batteries and complete power management systems for off grid portable applications; such as caravans, motor homes, camper trailers, campervans, RV's, camping, 4WD and touring.

Outech hold an electrical contractors licence and our technicians are qualified electricans qualified to install and repair 12 volt,24 volt and 240 volt.

Can you use Starlink in my caravan??

Starlink for your Caravan, RV or Van in Australia in now available. Outech Offgrid can set up Starlink in your caravan. See our YouTub https://youtube.com/shorts/F0HNVGxKQpQ

FAQ??

We specialise in the supply and installation of solar panels, lithium batteries and complete power management systems for off grid portable solutions such as caravans, motor homes, camper trailers, campervans, RV's, camping, 4WD and touring.

Additionally we supply and install electrical appliances and accessories, such as;

  • Carafan Dust Pressurise Systems,
  • Airbag Adjustable Suspension Systems,
  • Electric hotplates and Electric BBQ's,
  • Compressor Fridges,
  • UHF CB Radios,
  • Electric Brake Controllers,
  • Dash Cams,
  • Rear Vision Cameras,
  • Spotlights, Utility Lights and Camp Work Lights,
  • Caravan Fans and Caravan Heates,
  • Caravan Fridges
  • Portable and On-Boad Vehicle Air Compressors
  • and most caravan, HWD and camping electrical accessories.

Outech holds an electrical contractors licence and our technicians are qualified electricans qualified to install and repair 12 volt,24 volt and 240 volt.

We make off road touring and camping travel more comfortable.

This is a FAQ

Stay Tuned.. We are updating our FAQ’s...

CAUTION: Only a qualified electrician, (not an auto electrician) should ever do any alterations to the 240V installation.

  • Electrical Contractors License : EC14408,
  • Motor Vehicle Repairers License:
  • MRB9303, ABN: ABN 84 637 846 890
  • Authorised Caravan Repairer

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Stay Tuned.. We are updating our FAQ’s...

Outech specialise in electrical cutouts for the HWD Canopy ready for off road and off grid adventures.

Check out our socials to via the Chopped Toyota 200 Series Canopy Electrical Fitout, with all the fruit to mention a few:

  • Enerdrive Btech 200Ah
  • Enerdrive LiFePO4 Battery,
  • Enderdrive 12V 40A DC2DC + Battery Charger
  • Enerdrive 2000W inverter wired through to double pole outlets.
  • Plenty of 12v outlets and anderson sockets.

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Stay Tuned.. We are updating our FAQ’s...

REDARC's range of electric brake controllers provide ultimate safety when towing, offering a smoother trailer braking response suitable for 12V or 24V vehicle systems.

When you’re towing the weight of a 2.5 tonne vehicle behind you on an open highway, it’s important to ensure the safety of yourself and others with an effective and controlled braking system in place.

The brake controller offer two types of braking in the one unit - proportional and user-controlled modes. With the addition of proportional braking modes, you can ensure accurate and optimal force is applied in response to how hard your vehicle is braking. The Tow-Pro Elite also allows manual override where you see fit.

Designed to suit most trailer braking applications and require minimal dashboard space.

Personnally, when towing we would'n't leave home without one!

 

What Is Solar Power For A Caravan, Camper Trailer, Motor Home or RV?

Solar Panels are used for caravan, camper trailer, motor home and RV’s to charge the house batteries when not plugged into mains power.

Solar panels convert the sunlight to electricity; direct current (DC) electricity, which is used to charge the caravan batteries.
Learn More

This is a FAQ

Stay Tuned.. We are updating our FAQ’s... Looking for a lithium battery for your 4x4, RV or caravan?

Enerdrive, REDARC, Amptron are just a few names of quality lithium batteries to run 12V DC appliances; like the ones you'd plug into a USB port or cigarette socket to 240V AC appliances; like the ones you'd plug into a wall socket at home.

Outech Off Grid Power Solutions give free advice to help you choose the perfect lithium battery and management system for running high powered devices, from inverters through to coffee machines and power tools.

Heaps of useable Power + Minimal Weight + Extended Life Cycle = Perfect for Camping Off Grid!

Find Your Perfect Caravan Power Fit-out. Find Your Next Great Escape.

DID YOU KNOW we talk you through everything, from the quote to the installation process, all the way to operation and electrical fault finding.

Contact us today and see how we can solve your off grid power requirements so you have the freedom to camp wherever you like!

This is a FAQ

Stay Tuned.. We are updating our FAQ’s... We build and supply RV Pre-Wired Custom Power Boards across Australia, ready to plug into your caravan, camper trailer, motor home, 4WD or RV.

Check out @outechoffgrid to view this RV Pre-Wired Custom Power Board and battery power system fitted with all the goods: *Enerdrive DCDC Charger

  • Victron 100/30 MPPT Solar Regulator
  • Victron Blue Smartphone’s Battery Charger
  • Victron Smart Shunt Battery Monitor
  • Amptron 200AH Lithium Battery

Ready for DIY handy-person to install with complete easy and peace of mind knowing the design and electrical build has been completed in Australia by qualified electricians.

Pre-wired in house by us and comes with fault finding or support to answer all your questions.

This is a FAQ

Stay Tuned.. We are updating our FAQ’s... Supply and installation of leading brands including; Enerdrive, Victron, REDARC, ARB, GME, LIGHTFORCE, Amptron, Custom Lithium.

This is a FAQ

Stay Tuned.. We are updating our FAQ’s...

 

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+ Where do I find the Victron Connect App?

Monitor, operation and configure using the VictronConnect App. Use the VictronConnect App to configure, monitor and diagnose your Victron Battery Management System.
Available for Android, iOS, Windows and macOS X. Victron Connect App can connect to Victron porducts via Bluetooth, USB AND WIFI/LAN/Internet.