Solar charging
The Better Half and I are looking at new 5ers. Most of them come with some sort of Solar Panel input connection. Does any one have any suggestions for installing solar panels and Batteries for a 5er...
Forum Discussion
In putting my plan together I started with the highest energy demand appliance and answered my own questions. The cheapest thing to do is build your system with a plan so you dont gather a collection of discarded components.
Number one question is do I want to be able to run my AC, even if only for short breaks at rest areas? Yes I do so I had to have a generator. My ac is 13,500 so a Honda 3000 works. Then you get into what generator to use. I didn't want to drag one heavy one or 2 that have to be paralleled out of over and over so I mounted the remote start Honda in the truck bed. I also built an insulated and ventilated metal cabinet for it. Very theft proof.
This is the key point that ties into solar. If you want ac, you wont be doing it with solar. Yes it is doable, but not practical so why waste time on it.
If you dont want to use your ac then you can invert to your other large draw appliances like hair dryers, toasters and microwaves. It will take a large inverter and good ones are pricey. With a large inverter you will need a minimum of four 6 volt deep cycle batteries. Some folks even go to 6 batteries. Search and read more about the peukert (?) effect to understand what high draw vs time do to battery performance.
I chose to power all my heavy draw appliances with the generator so I only needed a small inverter. Because the Honda is remote start my DW can hit the fob and do whatever she needs.
I have a xantrex 600 watt pure sine inverter for the 40" and 24" TV's and other smaller stuff. I'm running 4 Sams club 6 volts. I have upgraded my converter to a Progressive Dynamics that will charge at 14.4 v
I also installed a 50 amp Quick Charge brand charger that top charges at 15.2 volts. NO it wont burn up the batteries. Mine are on the second season and I will post when they die. I ran on the generator last year and now installed 520 watts and a Bogart engineering solar control and Trimetric system monitor.
Again, the cheapest thing to do is define what you want and need and do it one time. You can do it a little at a time but it's still most efficient to follow a plan.
There are variables and no one answer fits everyone. There are many good components out there. If you do start out small on the solar, buy components that will let you expand. It doesn't have to be mppt either. Keep reading all you can as it will become more clear.
I would agree with Handybob that a system monitor is a good investment and it will pretty much guide you in how much solar you need. Search and read all of handybobs stuff.
Number one question is do I want to be able to run my AC, even if only for short breaks at rest areas? Yes I do so I had to have a generator. My ac is 13,500 so a Honda 3000 works. Then you get into what generator to use. I didn't want to drag one heavy one or 2 that have to be paralleled out of over and over so I mounted the remote start Honda in the truck bed. I also built an insulated and ventilated metal cabinet for it. Very theft proof.
This is the key point that ties into solar. If you want ac, you wont be doing it with solar. Yes it is doable, but not practical so why waste time on it.
If you dont want to use your ac then you can invert to your other large draw appliances like hair dryers, toasters and microwaves. It will take a large inverter and good ones are pricey. With a large inverter you will need a minimum of four 6 volt deep cycle batteries. Some folks even go to 6 batteries. Search and read more about the peukert (?) effect to understand what high draw vs time do to battery performance.
I chose to power all my heavy draw appliances with the generator so I only needed a small inverter. Because the Honda is remote start my DW can hit the fob and do whatever she needs.
I have a xantrex 600 watt pure sine inverter for the 40" and 24" TV's and other smaller stuff. I'm running 4 Sams club 6 volts. I have upgraded my converter to a Progressive Dynamics that will charge at 14.4 v
I also installed a 50 amp Quick Charge brand charger that top charges at 15.2 volts. NO it wont burn up the batteries. Mine are on the second season and I will post when they die. I ran on the generator last year and now installed 520 watts and a Bogart engineering solar control and Trimetric system monitor.
Again, the cheapest thing to do is define what you want and need and do it one time. You can do it a little at a time but it's still most efficient to follow a plan.
There are variables and no one answer fits everyone. There are many good components out there. If you do start out small on the solar, buy components that will let you expand. It doesn't have to be mppt either. Keep reading all you can as it will become more clear.
I would agree with Handybob that a system monitor is a good investment and it will pretty much guide you in how much solar you need. Search and read all of handybobs stuff.
