Going Solar!
Hi, new to this forum. I am a many years of experience Travel Trailer type RV-er. We do most of our camping "dry" with out hook ups. My wife and I are getting ready to buy a new trailer that will c...
Forum Discussion
I skimmed over the posts.. and it seems like you don't need a large panel setup. As a cost comparison what I paid for my stuff is below vs what you have been quoted.
I would advise -not- getting an MPPT controller as your not really going to see a benefit on a system <600w. YES I know people will argue this but we all have our ideas :P Mathematically the MPPT advantage on smaller sets ups is not cost effective.
I would generally avoid 'package deals' where a controller is thrown in as a packaged item. The controller is AMAZINGLY important. For example, I had a stock Renogy 30a controller. My amperage to batteries was about 16 in full (winter) sun. I switched controllers (within minutes of prior reading) to a Morning Star TS-45, and the amperage to batteries was 19.8
If you don't mind doing the work yourself, you can build a MUCH better system for a much lower cost.
My costs for my system were <$1100
4x Renogy 100w panels @ $130 each
1x Morningstar TS-45 at $160
temp sensor for batteries to controller $30
4x Interstate GC2-XHD batts at $101 each
2k PureSine Inverter $250
Wire.. $50
I used 2x10ga wire per lead from panels to controller, 2x1/0ga from batts to inverter.
I did drill hole in the roof (gasp!) but I went stupid crazy on sealant. Its CRITICAL that the wires are as short as possible to minimize loss.
Dealers HATE HATE HATE to make holes in a roof. Its VERY common to run wired thru the fridge roof vent. That's great, but whats the distance from the panels to the vent to the controller to the batteries.
Its amazing how much better a panel system can be by just upgrading and shortening the wires!
I would advise -not- getting an MPPT controller as your not really going to see a benefit on a system <600w. YES I know people will argue this but we all have our ideas :P Mathematically the MPPT advantage on smaller sets ups is not cost effective.
I would generally avoid 'package deals' where a controller is thrown in as a packaged item. The controller is AMAZINGLY important. For example, I had a stock Renogy 30a controller. My amperage to batteries was about 16 in full (winter) sun. I switched controllers (within minutes of prior reading) to a Morning Star TS-45, and the amperage to batteries was 19.8
If you don't mind doing the work yourself, you can build a MUCH better system for a much lower cost.
My costs for my system were <$1100
4x Renogy 100w panels @ $130 each
1x Morningstar TS-45 at $160
temp sensor for batteries to controller $30
4x Interstate GC2-XHD batts at $101 each
2k PureSine Inverter $250
Wire.. $50
I used 2x10ga wire per lead from panels to controller, 2x1/0ga from batts to inverter.
I did drill hole in the roof (gasp!) but I went stupid crazy on sealant. Its CRITICAL that the wires are as short as possible to minimize loss.
Dealers HATE HATE HATE to make holes in a roof. Its VERY common to run wired thru the fridge roof vent. That's great, but whats the distance from the panels to the vent to the controller to the batteries.
Its amazing how much better a panel system can be by just upgrading and shortening the wires!
