Solar advice needed!

Since it appears you are in the SE I would say you need 150 watts/battery.
LED TVs are like LED lights...they use 1/10th the power.

"Would like enough sustained power to do these items as well as into the evening."

No, you don't. You really want enough batteriy power storage to go at least 24 hours powering anything and all things reasonable...with a solar system adequate to recharge those batteries on most days without a generator.

So, average amp hour use per day plus 33%. Batteries of at least three times average amp hour use plus 33%. Solar system of at least 1.25 watts per battery amp hour.

Here is a list components I purchased for my solar generator:

Samlex PST-2000-12 Pure Sine Inverter

IOTA Battery Charger - 12V 55A SKU-BC-IOTA5512

TM-2025-RV Battery Monitor Package

Morningstar ts mppt - 45amp mpt charge controller

Batteries FullRiver 4ea AGM – 250ah @20hr

solar panels 270 watt monocryst - 2ea

This was for a 12 volt system. Had a 250 amp fuse between battery bank and inverter. Quickly found that with all this power I was not able to heat my coffee water using a 2 quart kettle (1500 watt). I first thought the fuses were too light (thin). Put some different fuses in but it overheated my samlex inverter (toasted it). I scratched my head and seeked advice as most people do. They said boil your coffee water with lp stove. Maybe I should have but was kinda hard headed so decided since I had to purchase another inverter I bought the cat's meow (pricey) xantrex freedom sw3024 inverter charger 3000W - 24volt. Yep, decided to upgrade from 12 to 24 volt. With this upgrade I was able to change the battery connection from parallel series to series only. this is better for batteries I understand in keeping them more closely balance charged. this also obsoleted my iota battery charger. So, as some people have said study long and hard before purchasing a lot of components as they are not cheap. Yes, I could have made my system a lot less cost by going pvm instead of mppt, wet instead of agm batteries, etc. My system is a stand alone solar generator on caster wheels so I load it in the back of my truck. I didn't want to install a solar system on my trailer(s).... at the time I had 2ea RV's one was a bumper pull and one a 5th wheel so the solar generator could serve both trailers. also I didn't want to park my RV in the sun.. where solar panels work best. I wanted to park under shade tree and put solar generator out in the sun. I've probably missed something but that's my story and I'm stickin to it :)

I added that I have 2ea solar panels

stephenpjohnson wrote:
.. my inverter in a couple years will be one of the big boys. My only advice is to read before you buy!

Don't get another cheap one.

You ask a question that can be pretty simple or very complicated. I am a retired Ph.D. System Engineer, just getting into RV and solar. I'm one of the guys that could design a $400 hammer (metaphor), and for the guys that needed hammers like that, it would be worth it!

I like the book by William Prowse, and if you don't over-think problems like I do, that will get you going. I'm currently several exhausting, OCD-inspired months into my own analysis and design, and I'll be installing a bunch of stuff soon. Early on I bought the cheap Harbor Freight inverter and plugged it into a 30A fuse off my D.C. Panel, but it's noisy as hell. I bought a little Morningstar 300/600 W with no fan on Craig's list cheap, but my inverter in a couple years will be one of the big boys. My only advice is to read before you buy!

EsoxLucius wrote:
.. only one way to skin the cat.

Ugh.

Hermes1 wrote:
I would start here.
https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/

I wouldn't start there. Good info, but not for the beginner and only one way to skin the cat. Start here then read Bob:

http://www.jackdanmayer.com/rv_electrical_and_solar.htm
http://amsolar.com/diy-rv-solar-instructions/
http://www.rv-boondocking-the-good-life.com/rv-solar-system-diy.html
http://www.gonewiththewynns.com/rv-solar-install-guide

I recently installed a 200watt renogy system from Amazon. I have two decent size rv batteries. We don't use alot of power, but with fridge, lights, bathroom fan, and some furnace use, the solar has usually completely recharged the batteries by early afternoon every day. If you want to use your TV you will need an inverter. I would say 200 watts for most folks who are conservative with their use or in good sunlight. More if you are a larger family or plan to run unnecessary things. Just my opinion.

I would start here.
https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/

As mentioned before the solar sites will cover the basic needs. If you wish to try adding some to see how much you actually want later take a look at the kits. Amazon currently has a Renogy 100 watt kit with a 30 amp controller so you can add two more panels later without having to change everything.
Kit cost is $160.