Planning solar system for 1995 Fleetwood Southwind

Thanks to everyone for their input!

I've been out with family in solar equipped RV (500+ watts solar) for 10 days boondocking htis summer and I was favorably impressed with the experience. System has been on RV for years and I definitely see the benefit of the charge over storage time also. Thus, my interest in adding solar system.

I'm looking to be able keep my house batteries charged while boondocking over several days to keep up with lights, water pump, etc. Heavy loads covered by generator.

Any suggestions on energy survey options? I've done a quick and dirty estimate and I am leaning towards 300-400 watts of solar with 30 or 40 amp MPPT charge controller, etc.

Again, your comments are much appreciated, a lot to research.

Rebecca

Our '99 Bounder has plenty of room on the roof for solar panels. But my reservations has been the fact that most campgrounds and even boondocking sites are tree-covered. I don't want to spend a lot of money for very little return. Just looking for some feedback. Chuck

Your coach was originally manufactured with 2 6 volt house batteries.
Change back to the OEM 6 volt batteries for better performance and longer life.
I have 500 watts of solar and a 30 amp MPPT charge controller on our 95 Bounder and it serves most of our needs while snow birding off grid.

Richard

Here’s a resource for you: http://mobile-solarPower.com I recommend highly.

First thing is to decide what you are trying to accomplish with solar.

If you are thinking of running the air/con or other heavy long duration loads the same as if you were plugged into shore power, that's a tall order for solar.

Solar works well if you want to camp without moving for multiple days and only use a few small loads (lights, water pump, maybe an hour or two of TV, etc...). With a proper inverter, you can get away with a microwave for a few minutes to heat something up. Once you start trying to do more, a solar system starts to become impractical if not technically impossible.

You won’t regret installing an adequate solar system....batteries, panels, wire and controller. The key is an energy survey to determine your average daily AH use. Then times 1.5. It all flows from the survey.

What do you want to power? Its like money, you have a balance (batteries) , demand or number of amp hours needed (withdrawals), deposits or income (panels but also the controller and wiring).

If you are trying yo power X overnight you need X plus 10% for losses and you can only use about half or so of the batteries rated amp hours (depends on batteries too)

Come sun up you need to put it back in plus losses and any daytime loads

There is a lot to say so i wanted to give you a little to think about and get the feel of it. Everyone does it differently so no one can tell you exactly what to do. The more you can post on here about what you want to power, where and when you camp etc will help people answer you.

Some can get by with little and some want a lot. If you just wanted to keep your batteries up during storage that would probably be pretty easy to answer. If you want to stay out boondocking that’s different. Some incorporate a generator into it to carry heavy morning loads like coffee makers and at the same time pump the heavy amps back into the batteries and finish off the day with solar.

Good idea. You have some reading to do.

You may want to consider changing to 6 volt batteries. They generally hold up better than 12 volt.
Our 96 Southwind has two 6 volt house batteries and they work well but, I do not have a solar system.

The 12 Volt Side of Life is helpful to understand the 12 volt system.

What information are you seeking about adding a solar system?
Someone will have the answer.

House batteries are up front under hood in engine, abd yes, I have space for more batteries (compartments?)