Forum Discussion
Veebyes
Apr 04, 2015Explorer II
How about starting with what type of camper are you? Not much point in spending the $$$ on solar if you are a FHU or at the very least a W&E camper. Are you a desert camper out in the open exposed to plenty of sun or are you one who likes the shade where a solar panel will not be of very much use.
How much power do you use? Solar is great for the frugal power consumer but if you don't have the panels with the exposure to keep up with your demands you would be better off increasing your battery bank size & using a genny to power your charger which will charge much faster than any solar system & do it for less $.
Solar has its applications. I had a panel on my weekending boat which from Sunday to Friday was kept on a mooring where shore power is not available. Typically the house batteries were somewhat less than charged when the boat was put on the mooring for the week but 5 days with no draw on the battery bank & the low charge rate of the panel would have them all nicely charged for the next weekend. The battery bank was 2 group 31 gel cells.
How much power do you use? Solar is great for the frugal power consumer but if you don't have the panels with the exposure to keep up with your demands you would be better off increasing your battery bank size & using a genny to power your charger which will charge much faster than any solar system & do it for less $.
Solar has its applications. I had a panel on my weekending boat which from Sunday to Friday was kept on a mooring where shore power is not available. Typically the house batteries were somewhat less than charged when the boat was put on the mooring for the week but 5 days with no draw on the battery bank & the low charge rate of the panel would have them all nicely charged for the next weekend. The battery bank was 2 group 31 gel cells.
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