Hey Everyone,I previously asked a question regarding installing a 120v only fridge and the solar/battery/inverter system to support it.I spent almost 7 years full time in my last RV and look back at how much benefit I could have obtained from a 500-1000 watt solar install.Unfortunately solar was too expensive at that time.I am currently working to equip my latest rig for travels to Mexico. I was going gangbusters with my planning for solar when it became clear to me that I won't be doing nearly the amount of dry camping in Mexico that I did traveling the US.My solar system questions were well answered and I came to the conclusion that I would need to install a larger system than I had originally considered if I wanted to support my electric needs.Given that I will not be doing the boondocking that I would if I was traveling in the US I am wondering if the solar benefit is going to be worth the cost?If I have shore power every night would I be better served to run my generator when I am without shore power? Solar system, batteries & inverter would cost me close to $2000. I can buy a lot of generator fuel & maintenance for $2000.I like the idea of the solar setup but it is costly and adds an additional level of complexity to my electrical system. "The more parts in the system, the more there is to break"Mexico travelers: What do you think??

Hi,I'm not a Mexico traveler--but there are reports from those who do so, and they often end up using their solar systems when there is shore power.Voltage, both too high and too low, is an issue. I think reliable power 24/7 is also an issue.I'm in the planning stages for phase 3 of my solar system where I will bump up to 1500 watts from the 256 I have now.I found a key component just today--which is a charge controller that can handle 120 amps at 12 volts. It has the advantages of being relatively cheap, and made in USA. Before I was going to have to gang two charge controllers together which was going to cost at least $1100. Now I can do it for $179.00From my point of view, solar is the nearest thing to a free lunch that I'm every likely to find.

Best 2300dollars I ever spent was on my SOLAR. One happy camper

Yo PT... Which controller did you get? And sheesh... If you won't share ;) buy another and send me one... I'll gladly send you the money....

Yes, do the solar thing. While you are at it, install a decent PSW inverter, 2000 Watts minimum. And take along a 40 Amp or better portable battery charger that you can plug into shore power directly.Often shorepower at Mexican RV parks is less than adequate, sometime dangerously low, or high, or both, depending on time of day.The reason for the other charger is that it is unlikely to be damaged by poor line voltage yet will give some charge to the batteries. If you have lots and lots of panels and never camp under trees or other shaded places you could skip the charger, but it is a good backup if you need to charge and can't or don't want to use your generator. When we are camped with shorepower in Mexico we usually leave the inverter enabled. Our inverter (Xantrex Prosine 2.0) will cut power to the coach if incoming AC is out of spec. Leaving the inverter enabled means the TV doesn't switch off in the middle of something "important" :) We disable the invert function at bedtime and when we are out.We have often found sites where in shorepower is unusable; open ground or hot/neutral reversed. In these cases the portable battery charger can be put into play if the usage exceeds the solar charging.

Unless prices have really plummeted recently, $2000 isn't even close to what it's going to cost you if you're going to run a refrigerator and all the other stuff in a 36' 5er. one of the things that you need is enough battery capacity to last overnight. I could do some blue-sky calcs if you send me some specifics via PM

To solar or not to solar? That is the question....

37 Replies

Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Aug 17, 2014
Solar systems are much less than $2,000 now.

Check out this site. Call them to ask about 12 volt panels, as most on the website are in the 39+ volt range, and would use a MPPT controller.

SunElec.com

You can make your own mounts. 6" long of 2" angle aluminum from Home Depot. Drill 3 holes 3/16" diameter for 3#10 screws into the roof, and 5/16" hole for a 1/4" bolt into the panel frame. Use a generous amount of rubber roof sealant under the mounts and over the screws.

I would suggest panels in the 100 - 150 watt size, not larger because of size to get around them.

I used #10 wire down behind the refrigerator vent for my solar panels, 1 line for the forward pair of 120 watt panels, another for the other pair of panels. I have a 50 amp controller, sort of planned on expanding the system, but never did.

I would still be getting a 400 - 500 watt solar system. It partly shades the roof, allows you to not run the factory charger, and you will save on your electric costs if metered at the park.

Fred.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Aug 17, 2014
Hi bigcitypop,

I don't have one yet--but I'll be writing the company about it.

Coleman Air controllers

bigcitypopo wrote:
Yo PT... Which controller did you get? And sheesh... If you won't share ;) buy another and send me one... I'll gladly send you the money....
Turtle-Toad
Explorer
Aug 17, 2014
Unless prices have really plummeted recently, $2000 isn't even close to what it's going to cost you if you're going to run a refrigerator and all the other stuff in a 36' 5er. one of the things that you need is enough battery capacity to last overnight. I could do some blue-sky calcs if you send me some specifics via PM
Canadian_Rainbi
Explorer
Aug 17, 2014
Yes, do the solar thing. While you are at it, install a decent PSW inverter, 2000 Watts minimum. And take along a 40 Amp or better portable battery charger that you can plug into shore power directly.

Often shorepower at Mexican RV parks is less than adequate, sometime dangerously low, or high, or both, depending on time of day.

The reason for the other charger is that it is unlikely to be damaged by poor line voltage yet will give some charge to the batteries. If you have lots and lots of panels and never camp under trees or other shaded places you could skip the charger, but it is a good backup if you need to charge and can't or don't want to use your generator.

When we are camped with shorepower in Mexico we usually leave the inverter enabled. Our inverter (Xantrex Prosine 2.0) will cut power to the coach if incoming AC is out of spec. Leaving the inverter enabled means the TV doesn't switch off in the middle of something "important" :) We disable the invert function at bedtime and when we are out.

We have often found sites where in shorepower is unusable; open ground or hot/neutral reversed. In these cases the portable battery charger can be put into play if the usage exceeds the solar charging.
bigcitypopo
Explorer II
Aug 17, 2014
Yo PT... Which controller did you get? And sheesh... If you won't share ;) buy another and send me one... I'll gladly send you the money....
Crazy_Ray
Explorer
Aug 17, 2014
Best 2300dollars I ever spent was on my SOLAR. One happy camper
pianotuna
Nomad III
Aug 17, 2014
Hi,

I'm not a Mexico traveler--but there are reports from those who do so, and they often end up using their solar systems when there is shore power.

Voltage, both too high and too low, is an issue. I think reliable power 24/7 is also an issue.

I'm in the planning stages for phase 3 of my solar system where I will bump up to 1500 watts from the 256 I have now.

I found a key component just today--which is a charge controller that can handle 120 amps at 12 volts. It has the advantages of being relatively cheap, and made in USA. Before I was going to have to gang two charge controllers together which was going to cost at least $1100. Now I can do it for $179.00

From my point of view, solar is the nearest thing to a free lunch that I'm every likely to find.

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To solar or not to solar? That is the question....

37 Replies

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