6V deep cycle batteries
Have had som very overcast weather the last 4 days, batteries down to 82% in morning back to 95% afternoon, how long can this be don before a 100% recharge becomes essential. Frank
Forum Discussion
No worries, you didn't do major disservice to batteries by charging them to 95% for a few weeks.
Double the battery bank if you can. Then it would be 97% in low overcast - good enough.
Add another 200-250W solar and install adequate controller, and you wouldn't have to start this thread as the batteries would charge 99.999 in this weather.
This is, more-less what it takes to properly set up your system. Like other posted noted, you will then need generator rarely, if ever.
Big compressor fridge puts you in a category where in the worst weather scenario a minimum solar size (to camp without generator) would be more than your RV roof can handle. This would be when it rains heavily all day or you are parked in really dense shade. Solar homes anywhere South of Wa use generators in emergency only, when something breaks, which doesn't happen often. They can ride a bad weather spell out, battery bank big enough for 7-10 days of zero charging. For RV it is difficult to carry a bank bigger than 5 days worth without going into expense of Li batteries.
My bank is 300 AH @12V, it will run 4 days before it drops to 50% because fridge is propane. 490W solar and there is room for more. Purchase of a generator is unlikely.
Double the battery bank if you can. Then it would be 97% in low overcast - good enough.
Add another 200-250W solar and install adequate controller, and you wouldn't have to start this thread as the batteries would charge 99.999 in this weather.
This is, more-less what it takes to properly set up your system. Like other posted noted, you will then need generator rarely, if ever.
Big compressor fridge puts you in a category where in the worst weather scenario a minimum solar size (to camp without generator) would be more than your RV roof can handle. This would be when it rains heavily all day or you are parked in really dense shade. Solar homes anywhere South of Wa use generators in emergency only, when something breaks, which doesn't happen often. They can ride a bad weather spell out, battery bank big enough for 7-10 days of zero charging. For RV it is difficult to carry a bank bigger than 5 days worth without going into expense of Li batteries.
My bank is 300 AH @12V, it will run 4 days before it drops to 50% because fridge is propane. 490W solar and there is room for more. Purchase of a generator is unlikely.
