Droptop351 wrote:
Thank you all for the info shared in these posts. AC was a pipe dream but apparently not gonna be practical. So having said that I guess i need to think about whether its practical or necessary at this point.
Having said that, would anyone care to shed some wisdom around the difference between the 45 and 60 charge controllers.
Don Piano summarized nicely what you need to run A/C on solar. Possible, yes. Expensive.
With A/C out of the equation, and without major power hogs - I don't see you mentioning MW, hair drier, toaster etc - you'll be fine with 2*250W solar and 45A controller.
I would get 3*250W if roof space allows, and 60A Tristar MPPT.
4*250W with 12V bank could work with 60A MPPT, but it's better to get 80A then.
Without A/C you might still avoid a generator on many days by running FanTastic fan at high setting, this is 50-60 AH if you run it most of the day and night. So, more solar watts is good.
Your 2*100 AH bank is a bit small for boondocking. Get 3*100 or 4*100 @12V. Or 4*225 6V Golf Cart model, this is equivalent to 450 AH @12V.
You'll think about inverter later, this has little to do with solar. Without major 120V items that I mentioned, you don't need more than 300W inverter.
Fridge you'll have to run on propane for now. Compressor fridges for RV are VERY expensive, residential may or may not fit, and still costs over $400 for a good model, and you don't know yet how your solar will work. Possible. Revisit this subject later.
