i have been thinking to go solar with my 29' Cougar 5th wheel.ok, maybe day dreaming would be a better term.i figure that i if i can make things run on a 2900W generator, why can't it work on a 2900W solar array.i do not like the idea of drilling thru the roof to mount the panels.i envision several panels on racks down both sides of the trailer attached near the top of the side walls. they hang verticle when rolling. they flip out like awnings when stationary. i think i can mout 2000 Watts on the slide out alone. i see what i believe to be perfect mount points around the perimeter of the exterior wall of the slide.i wonder if anybody has any familiarity with how much weight i mite be able to load the electric motors that move the slide with?2000W would be 12 panels plus hardware.not looking to make the slide immovable.any thoughts?D~~~!

2900 watts of solar is not the same as a 2900 watt generator. You will need batteries (and an inverter) to replace the generator, then the solar will charge the batteries. Hanging solar on the walls is a good idea but if you hang them on the slide outs how are you going to run the wires? I have lots of screw holes in my roof for solar plus PVC conduit for the 8 gauge wire and not a single leak. All sealed with Dicor.

Reality: 2900W/120V = 24A AC, with losses that about 264A DC. You'll need lots of batteries and controllers or off grid controller setup. That's one hugh solar system for an RV. It doesn't end there. There are controller and wiring losses and you only get the rated panel output at high noon, clear sky, panels aimed directly at the sun. Let's assume you get 70%: So 264/70% = 377A*14.4V charging = 5430W. So with 300W panels you'll need 18 very large 60 cell panels.So just run your gen.Why do you want to drill into the side and not the roof. There are already hundreds of holes in the roof in mfg. What's a few more? :hAre we all having fun? :B :B :B

Even 2000W is one very large RV setup. I've seen a few at Quartzsite. They were on a large solar rack near the RV.

A solar store in Yuma had a picture of a MH with 2 rows of panels on the roof mounted above the ACs. For 60 cell panels and 2 rows with 5 per row you have 27'x3' per row. perhaps the best solution.

You mite mout them but your fear of holes in the roof isn’t realistic. Brackets sealed with Dicor, touched up every year with Heng’s work perfectly. Setup, takedown every move will get old fast electric or by hand.

full time solar, maybe? | Good Sam Community

servitrike
Explorer
Aug 14, 2020
its a very impressive system. definitely worth a look!
gkainz
Explorer
Aug 12, 2020
not the OP, but it's in the same group, just a couple posts up from here ...

https://forums.trailerlife.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/30124420.cfm
servitrike
Explorer
Aug 12, 2020
and yet u didn't share a link to get there?
work2much
Explorer
Aug 12, 2020
servitrike wrote:
i would like to see pics of that layout. must be a whole loota roof top.

Didn't want to hitchhike this thread so I started a new one with some pics.
time2roll
Nomad
Aug 11, 2020
servitrike wrote:
am i correct in understanding that in a solar set up, everythin runs off a DC battery(yeah, like there is an AC battery) thru an inverter. and the goal of the solar array is to supply a DC charge to resupply the batteries at a rate, equal to and well above the recharge rate of the batteries, so as to power the required devices while recharging the batteries?
basically yes. Consider that for high power systems you are better to design around higher voltage such as 24, 48 for increased efficiency and reasonable sized wires.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Aug 11, 2020
That's one of the largest RV solar system. I'd be interested in knowing more.
servitrike
Explorer
Aug 11, 2020
i would like to see pics of that layout. must be a whole loota roof top.
work2much
Explorer
Aug 11, 2020
We have 2400 watts on the roof along with a big lithium battery and 4000 watt inverter. Ran the AC all day since 10am here in Utah. Also cooked dinner, water heater, coffee machine, Ice maker, TV, chest freezer.

Big systems are expensive but who wants to listen to a generator all day? Not your camping neighbors and where we stay there are often restricted hours to use them.

Holes in roof? meh, just seal them properly.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Aug 11, 2020
Hence if a inverter is being used it's just another load on the batteries assuming of course that you're not on shore power. And depending upon many possible variations.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Aug 11, 2020
servitrike wrote:
am i correct in understanding that in a solar set up, everythin runs off a DC battery(yeah, like there is an AC battery) thru an inverter. and the goal of the solar array is to supply a DC charge to resupply the batteries at a rate, equal to and well above the recharge rate of the batteries, so as to power the required devices while recharging the batteries?
Inverters change DC to AC, I think you mean solar controller or Charge Controller or CC.

CCs supply DC power (amps if you like) which is first used for house loads and if any amps remain they charge the battery. If the house amps exceed the CC capacity then the additional amps come from the battery.

Forum Discussion

full time solar, maybe?

About Fifth Wheel Group

Related Content

Maybe a new Ford?

FULL TIMING

Full timers warning

Full body paint

Solar project thoughts.