solar for your RV
So I was poking around this morning on Amazon, and I see that the parts to add solar to your RV have made doing so *really* competitive with generators, not just in long term operating costs, but in up-front installation/purchase costs.
Solar has always had a huge advantage in terms of long-term maintenance and operating costs (no gas, no oil, no spark plugs, etc.). With the added advantage of silence, blessed silence, while "running."
But consider the case of the RVer who just wants to keep his/her battery charged, and doesn't need to try to run an AC. Such a person needs only a small generator such as a 2000 watt class generator, which costs maybe $400 to $1,000 depending on what/where/when you buy. Then of course, you have to gas it up. And take precautions against it being stolen.
So I see on Amazon a 200 watt, 24 volt monocrystalline solar panel for $206 (don't panic, folks, perfect for charging your 12 volt batteries, explained below), and a 20 amp MPPT charge controller for $150 (takes up to 150 volts DC and converts it to the perfect 13-14.5 volts to charge and maintain your battery). Throw in mounting hardware, wires, etc. and you are looking at $400 for a system that will suit nearly everyone with a single (or even double) 12 volt "deep cycle" battery of the sort that comes with most trailers these days. It'll even handle the 125 AH true deep cycle AGM upgrade you really want.
Or, heck, go cheap and buy two 100 watt 12 volt polycrystalline panels from Lowes for $160, wire them in series, and now we are talking $350 for whole ball of wax.
So, boys 'n' girls, the alternative to that noisy, smelly, expensive-to-run Honda 2000 is at hand. Just sayin' . . . .
Solar has always had a huge advantage in terms of long-term maintenance and operating costs (no gas, no oil, no spark plugs, etc.). With the added advantage of silence, blessed silence, while "running."
But consider the case of the RVer who just wants to keep his/her battery charged, and doesn't need to try to run an AC. Such a person needs only a small generator such as a 2000 watt class generator, which costs maybe $400 to $1,000 depending on what/where/when you buy. Then of course, you have to gas it up. And take precautions against it being stolen.
So I see on Amazon a 200 watt, 24 volt monocrystalline solar panel for $206 (don't panic, folks, perfect for charging your 12 volt batteries, explained below), and a 20 amp MPPT charge controller for $150 (takes up to 150 volts DC and converts it to the perfect 13-14.5 volts to charge and maintain your battery). Throw in mounting hardware, wires, etc. and you are looking at $400 for a system that will suit nearly everyone with a single (or even double) 12 volt "deep cycle" battery of the sort that comes with most trailers these days. It'll even handle the 125 AH true deep cycle AGM upgrade you really want.
Or, heck, go cheap and buy two 100 watt 12 volt polycrystalline panels from Lowes for $160, wire them in series, and now we are talking $350 for whole ball of wax.
So, boys 'n' girls, the alternative to that noisy, smelly, expensive-to-run Honda 2000 is at hand. Just sayin' . . . .
