Generators!! Yes YOU!
Since when did generators become an esential piece 0f camping equipment? Must I hear a dry campgound buzzing all day long because people and KIDS can’t unplug? Do people come out to camp anym...
Forum Discussion
pnichols wrote:
Ramble, your portable solar setup is real close to what I would/will add to our 2005 24ft. E450 Class C!
I'll probably never use a portable with it's controller at the panel. I'd use an MPPT controller at the batteries permanently so that voltage loss between the panel and the coach batteries will be minimum at all times.
The V10 idles so quietly, charges coach batteries so fast via the alternator, and only consumes about 0.7 gal of fuel per hour when idling ... that I've been doing that a lot lately and wondering if I even want to add any solar. Our camping style is usually only short stays at any one place, so the batteries get topped up when driving between locations.
pnichols - We are totally satisfied with our setup for our low power daily needs. We were at a cold high Cascade lake in the trees with the panels 160’ away on the lakeshore in the early morning sun producing 9.2A with controller at the battery. This was enough to run our furnace and still charge the battery. With a 40’ cable it produces 11.2A. You will still have the 2 volt drop with the controller at the battery except the drop is off the higher panel voltage.
MPPT would be great however we don’t need the additional 20% power. The Victron 15A looks good with separate battery and load outputs. Great for using the unused panel output once the batteries are getting charged up. The spec on the controller not starting until panel voltage is battery voltage + 5 volts may be an issue with this panel setup. The 2 panels in the solar suitcase are wired in parallel not serial.
V10 backup is great for gen. The control board on the auto transfer switch failed one time while we were at Mt. Rainier so gen output would not switch in so used the V10 to charge. Did not bring the solar that time as we assumed the tree canopy would too shading. Turns out that there was sun available but would need more line.
