Just purchased a new 5er. Moved up from a TT. However we do quite a bit of dry camping. In our previous trailer we could get by for 2 weeks (longest we would be out) with the 2 -12V batteries by running the Honda 3000 a couple hours a day or even missing a day of charging every once in a while using incandescent lights, parasitic draw and furnace fan.I'd like to minimize the useage of the gen by doing a portable solar setup. I don't wish to mount them to the roof. We don't use a whole lot of power and if needed will run the gen. Will definitely use it for the MW when we use that.I converted all the interior lights to LED and am planning on putting in 2 6Vs from Costco. We aren't in the trailer much at all during the day. It's only a light or two in the evening for a few hours (if we're not at the campfire), the parasitic draw for the propane fridge, detectors etc, furnace fan once in a while (set at 60 at night) and would like to get an inverter for the TV so they kids can watch a movie or something every 2nd or 3rd day or so.Have looked at the 160W kit at solar blvd, but as with other things one can probably piece together something better for around the same price.Any suggestions on deals on panels, controller etc to get a good 2-300 watt setup?

I purchased two 100W panels from Costco. And got a controller from Amazon. We have a very similar set up to you, and about the same usage. It works well for us.

To me, a lot of your choice is going to revolve around how you want to move and store the panels. A 100W panel is 26" x 44". For me, moving anything bigger would be tiresome. If you can make some type of exterior mount that doubles as the transport holder like some have done on here, then panel size isn't such an issue.If you're close to SolarBlvd, they seem to have good prices and sell pretty good modules. I'm a happy customer. The kit with free shipping and the included controllers with wire is a good value. I'd probably choose a better, name brand controller and pay the extra for wire, if I was doing the small system.FWIW, I went with a single 235W panel and MPPT controller, mostly to be able to have easy future expansion that fit my roof real estate.

Do not understand why you do not want to permnently mount the panels? But trying to move, store and setup panels without breaking them is going to be difficult at best. Permanent mount isyour best solution and not difficult to do.

We used a portable set up last year and will until I get my system mounted. Even after I mount them I may keep a portable for the flexibility. The ability to collect the early morning sun was big when we had clouds by noon daily.

I added (2) 135 watt panels to the roof of our fifth wheel.I used tiltable mounts for the panels but have not used that feature yet.The panels are about 24 x 56 in size so do take up some real estate on the roof.I ran the wires from the panels down through the refer stack to the converter charger.Installed a charge controller inside the rig.I made a custom vented battery box for (4) group 24 batteries.We don't do much dry camping but I wanted that option if the situation arose.Well worth the investment.

New 5er Looking for cmpnt sugg to make 2-300W porta solar

donn0128
Explorer II
Apr 24, 2014
I do understand. Mine are mounted on the roof. And while maybe not ideal, they provide sufficient power to keep my battery bank charged well enough to survive for 4-5 days between generator charges. And we are not known for being frugal with electricity.
goducks10
Explorer
Apr 24, 2014
donn0128 wrote:
Do not understand why you do not want to permnently mount the panels? But trying to move, store and setup panels without breaking them is going to be difficult at best. Permanent mount isyour best solution and not difficult to do.

Being from Oregon you should know. We camp 95% of the time in Oregon. Lots of the CG's we stay at have tall trees. Sometimes I can't even get an XM signal with my roof mounted XM antenna. Being able to move the solar panels around will give the OP more versatility.
rrwantr
Explorer
Apr 24, 2014
Main reason is flexibility and to be able to park in shade and have them out in the sun.
Tango__AE7UI
Explorer
Apr 24, 2014
I added (2) 135 watt panels to the roof of our fifth wheel.
I used tiltable mounts for the panels but have not used that feature yet.
The panels are about 24 x 56 in size so do take up some real estate on the roof.
I ran the wires from the panels down through the refer stack to the converter charger.
Installed a charge controller inside the rig.
I made a custom vented battery box for (4) group 24 batteries.
We don't do much dry camping but I wanted that option if the situation arose.
Well worth the investment.
JiminDenver
Explorer II
Apr 24, 2014
We used a portable set up last year and will until I get my system mounted. Even after I mount them I may keep a portable for the flexibility. The ability to collect the early morning sun was big when we had clouds by noon daily.
donn0128
Explorer II
Apr 24, 2014
Do not understand why you do not want to permnently mount the panels? But trying to move, store and setup panels without breaking them is going to be difficult at best. Permanent mount isyour best solution and not difficult to do.
westend
Explorer
Apr 24, 2014
To me, a lot of your choice is going to revolve around how you want to move and store the panels. A 100W panel is 26" x 44". For me, moving anything bigger would be tiresome. If you can make some type of exterior mount that doubles as the transport holder like some have done on here, then panel size isn't such an issue.

If you're close to SolarBlvd, they seem to have good prices and sell pretty good modules. I'm a happy customer. The kit with free shipping and the included controllers with wire is a good value. I'd probably choose a better, name brand controller and pay the extra for wire, if I was doing the small system.

FWIW, I went with a single 235W panel and MPPT controller, mostly to be able to have easy future expansion that fit my roof real estate.
TucsonJim
Explorer II
Apr 24, 2014
I purchased two 100W panels from Costco. And got a controller from Amazon. We have a very similar set up to you, and about the same usage. It works well for us.

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New 5er Looking for cmpnt sugg to make 2-300W porta solar

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