HelloMy wife and I just bought a new horse trailer with living quarters and finally realized that everything is 12v. My question is what do people recommend for charging the batteries while camping without electricity? My brother in law runs his generator constantly to charge his batteries but I just don't like the idea of having to do that every time they need charged. You see portable solar panels and small wind turbines in many different magazines saying their great for camping but which ones are the best and worst, and how much wiring do you have to put in your new trailer to accommodate everything? I would greatly appreciate the feedback thank you.

There are plenty of solar posts in Tech issues. Search 'solar' in the heading for those.Wind turbines are loud, dangerous and don't really do much.

Most of the wind turbines are in the 200-400 watt range, and while nowhere near as loud as an open frame generator, needing to be on top of a mast you can't hide it behind something. They also require a stiff breeze to do anything, and a moderate wind to be anywhere near peak output. Solar is about as loud as the wind blowing past the RV, and does nothing in the dark, shadows, and very little in the rain.

Deciding how much battery power you really need is the key. A couple of batteries with moderate use will usually charge back up in an hour of generator running. If you are really prepared to minimize your power consumption, get LED lights, leave the furnace off, and leave the TV and computer chargers off too. You will be surprised how long everything lasts. Solar is only as good as to where you park and the cloud cover. Great for deserts where the sun shines, but a generator is there for sure when you need it.

Turbines need windA Calif Beach, or a windy mountain passSolar and a small generator are the best optionSun don't shine all the timeGenerator first thing in the morning powering a good battery charger/converterAnd solar to top them off during the dayYour brother in law is using his generator the wrong way, or he needs a new converter in his RV to charge the batteries

Hi,First find out how much energy you use. Create a battery bank to cover that energy for 3 to 5 days. Then design a solar system to recharge the bank.

solar panels or wind turbine battery charging? | Good Sam Community

24 Replies

MrWizard
Moderator
Apr 28, 2016
Turbines need wind
A Calif Beach, or a windy mountain pass

Solar and a small generator are the best option

Sun don't shine all the time

Generator first thing in the morning powering a good battery charger/converter
And solar to top them off during the day

Your brother in law is using his generator the wrong way, or he needs a new converter in his RV to charge the batteries
Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
Apr 28, 2016
Deciding how much battery power you really need is the key. A couple of batteries with moderate use will usually charge back up in an hour of generator running. If you are really prepared to minimize your power consumption, get LED lights, leave the furnace off, and leave the TV and computer chargers off too. You will be surprised how long everything lasts. Solar is only as good as to where you park and the cloud cover. Great for deserts where the sun shines, but a generator is there for sure when you need it.
christopherglen
Explorer
Apr 28, 2016
Most of the wind turbines are in the 200-400 watt range, and while nowhere near as loud as an open frame generator, needing to be on top of a mast you can't hide it behind something. They also require a stiff breeze to do anything, and a moderate wind to be anywhere near peak output. Solar is about as loud as the wind blowing past the RV, and does nothing in the dark, shadows, and very little in the rain.
2oldman
Explorer II
Apr 28, 2016
There are plenty of solar posts in Tech issues. Search 'solar' in the heading for those.

Wind turbines are loud, dangerous and don't really do much.

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solar panels or wind turbine battery charging?

24 Replies

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