Outlets Off while Boonedocking

pianotuna wrote:
Hi Mr Wizard,

Imarine is selling the PT-100 for 700.

https://www.solarblvd.com/products/ecosolargy-230-watt-24-volt-solar-panel/ $72 each $504 for seven totaling 1610 watts. If there is room you could add one more--so $576 gets you to 1840 watts.

That leaves about $700 to 800 for other materials.

The Magnum input voltage for a 12 volt output is a maximum of 187 volts. So the entire string of seven could be in series (168 volts).

64" x 39" x 130 lbs. x 7 panels = 121 sq. ft. and 910 lbs.

2000 watt generator = 1.6 sq. ft. and 46 lbs.

Looks like I'm running a generator.

pianotuna wrote:
So far as I am aware some panels have 3 bypass diodes (one per string). Others may have only one diode per panel.

Don .... now I'm curious.

A solar panel array with it's panels in parallel with each other could of course still maintain the array's terminal output voltage (but with less total current output capability) if a panel became shaded - using only diodes within/around each panel to somehow isolate it whenever shaded.

I guess I need to see some kind of schematic or circuit diagram as to how - electrically - only a diode arrangement could keep a shaded solar panel from lowering the array's terminal output voltage if all of the array's solar panels are in series with each other?

Maybe panels in series do experience a voltage drop whenever one or more panels are shaded, but solar controllers have a large enough input voltage range to deal with it?

It "seems like", for instance, that a bunch of 24 volt panels in parallel always putting out 24 volts - even with some panels being shaded - into the controller would be a superior arrangement. :h

No Rick, I am still here! I am both enjoying reading the responses and learning as I read. I greatly appreciate all of the responses, thank you! It is a much bettwr way to learn then trial and error would be.2

rickeoni wrote:
I think you guys scared the OP away.

Definitely, big time thread hijack.
the OP with no knowledge of RVs and others with too much.

I think you guys scared the OP away.

rclifton wrote:

Veebyes wrote:
WOW!!:S

OK, you are in the East primarily therefore much of your camping is likely to be under trees not out in a desert with the sun beating down. This makes the solar being questionable for effectiveness for $$. It does not work under trees, under cloudy skies or at night.

I often wonder why folks constantly state that solar doesn't work under cloudy skies, trees, a bit of shade etc.. Does it work as well as in full sun? Obviously not, but it doesn't stop working all together. Case in point, I'm currently parked in Southern Oregon where it has been raining all day and yet my two 295W solar panels are putting 11.11A back into my battery bank as I type this. So far today in this crappy weather I have put back 46.9AH and it's only 1:30pm.

Makes me wonder also what they are talking about when it comes to shade and solar.
My 200 watts of solar was putting out an easy 9amps in the full shade of giant cedar tress on Vancouver Island.
Camped there for 30 days and the batteries (Pair of GC-2 6V) were back to full charge every day by mid afternoon.

Veebyes wrote:
WOW!!:S

OK, you are in the East primarily therefore much of your camping is likely to be under trees not out in a desert with the sun beating down. This makes the solar being questionable for effectiveness for $$. It does not work under trees, under cloudy skies or at night.

I often wonder why folks constantly state that solar doesn't work under cloudy skies, trees, a bit of shade etc.. Does it work as well as in full sun? Obviously not, but it doesn't stop working all together. Case in point, I'm currently parked in Southern Oregon where it has been raining all day and yet my two 295W solar panels are putting 11.11A back into my battery bank as I type this. So far today in this crappy weather I have put back 46.9AH and it's only 1:30pm.

"OP should not expect to use high draw appliances off batteries."

He might do it once. He won't do it a second time. Good thing inverters shut down before the voltage gets too low for the lights to work some.

If solar is planned I hope the OP likes & can find plenty of sunny sites in the treed CGs of the East.

bfast54 wrote:

LongOverDue wrote:
I hoped that 1 outlet would have already been designated to work for a short time with an inverter, Bfast54. Thanks for your help. We Hope to go solar to recharge.

I am not aware of any RVs currently wired for An outlet --- off of an inverter

(No demand....)....besides......someone would plug an AIR CONDITIONER in......expect it to run all night.

Our MH has several outlets that work off the inverter. the satelitte and receiver plug, the bedroom tv and sat joey plug, the two on each side of the bed for medical devices I suppose and the one on the passenger side of the driving area to charge electronic toys. With these plugs active we can watch TV and prerecorded programming and even live TV if desired, but not all day or every day. We only do that when boondocking for a nite.

That being said, if and when an inverter is installed the installer could wire desired outlets to the inverter. However, as stated elsewhere, OP should not expect to use high draw appliances off batteries.

You guys are a riot to read. The Electical Geeks are just as funny as the Weight Nerds or the Tire Fanatics.