We fulltime in an Artic Fox 24-5N and we would like to add a solar system to minimize generator usage. We will be in the larger Las Vegas area for a couple of month and we need some help. We would appreciate any recommendation in regards to sales and installation of solar panels, controller, AGM batteries and other components.Thank you much!H

I'm not sure how large the 'Larger Las Vegas Area' is but Marv of Precision RV (also AM Solar) is in the Phoenix area right now. DH calls him the Rainman of Solar.He installed the solar on our tt and then fixed the complete cluster f%*$ the dealer made of our system when they moved it to our current rig. We drove 2000 miles (from Florida to AZ) to have him fix it because, to be honest, we don't trust anyone else. Last week, we had him install our new satellite dish (after waiting three months) because we don't trust anyone else attaching things to our roof.Nina (of Wheelingit) has a great write-up about their experience here.

Are you considering a fixed mount atop your TT or a portable unit. We have a portable unit which handles our Lance model 1985 (23 foot) without any issues.

DIY, it isn't rocket science, heck, it's not even tuff as plumbing! You'll end up with a better system, and real knowledge of what you have. JMOO

Here is a simple flow chart.Budget-->Energy Audit-->Battery bank size-->number of watts-->PWM or MPPT. What ever type of controller is chosen, make sure it has adjustable set points and a temperature probe that is on the battery.If you use solar as a battery charger, one rule of thumb is between 60 and 150 watts of panels per 100 amp-hours of storage. The smaller the battery bank the higher the wattage needed (per 100 amp-hours). Here is a link to the rather special spreadsheet which includes an energy audit, that N8GS has created to help size solar battery charging systems!solar spreadsheet by N8GS If you full time or use an inverter lots, then populate the entire unshaded area of the roof with panels. I'm considering replacing my awning with solar panels.For a nice explanation of solar, try this link:Golden rules of solar

For a 24 Foot Artic Fox, this is a DIY project. I did it, Pianotuna did it, you can do it. 200 to 300 watts should have you covered, add in a good 30 PWM charge controller, use fat wire from the charge controller to the batteries, and mount the charge controller inside, as close as you can to the batteries, without exposing them to recharging acidic fumes of the batteries, and you should be good to go.The most important part is learning how to properly recharge, top charge, and equalize charge your batteries, and maintain them, as well as manage the water level properly in your batteries, so that they live a long and efficient and inexpensive to you life between replacements.If you'd like to geek out over those last 4 or 5 items and learn the right way to do so, use the search function here and read the story of "My Screwy 31"... it's a textbook example of learning how important charge voltage and charge amperage is to properly recharging and maintaining a battery.

Help with Solar System in the larger Las Vegas area

dahkota
Explorer
Nov 08, 2015
I'm not sure how large the 'Larger Las Vegas Area' is but Marv of Precision RV (also AM Solar) is in the Phoenix area right now. DH calls him the Rainman of Solar.

He installed the solar on our tt and then fixed the complete cluster f%*$ the dealer made of our system when they moved it to our current rig. We drove 2000 miles (from Florida to AZ) to have him fix it because, to be honest, we don't trust anyone else.

Last week, we had him install our new satellite dish (after waiting three months) because we don't trust anyone else attaching things to our roof.

Nina (of Wheelingit) has a great write-up about their experience here.
4aSong
Explorer
Nov 08, 2015
Are you considering a fixed mount atop your TT or a portable unit. We have a portable unit which handles our Lance model 1985 (23 foot) without any issues.
gmctoyman
Explorer
Nov 08, 2015
DIY, it isn't rocket science, heck, it's not even tuff as plumbing! You'll end up with a better system, and real knowledge of what you have. JMOO
pianotuna
Nomad III
Nov 08, 2015
Here is a simple flow chart.

Budget-->Energy Audit-->Battery bank size-->number of watts-->PWM or MPPT. What ever type of controller is chosen, make sure it has adjustable set points and a temperature probe that is on the battery.

If you use solar as a battery charger, one rule of thumb is between 60 and 150 watts of panels per 100 amp-hours of storage. The smaller the battery bank the higher the wattage needed (per 100 amp-hours). Here is a link to the rather special spreadsheet which includes an energy audit, that N8GS has created to help size solar battery charging systems!
solar spreadsheet by N8GS

If you full time or use an inverter lots, then populate the entire unshaded area of the roof with panels. I'm considering replacing my awning with solar panels.

For a nice explanation of solar, try this link:
Golden rules of solar
NinerBikes
Explorer
Nov 08, 2015
For a 24 Foot Artic Fox, this is a DIY project. I did it, Pianotuna did it, you can do it. 200 to 300 watts should have you covered, add in a good 30 PWM charge controller, use fat wire from the charge controller to the batteries, and mount the charge controller inside, as close as you can to the batteries, without exposing them to recharging acidic fumes of the batteries, and you should be good to go.
The most important part is learning how to properly recharge, top charge, and equalize charge your batteries, and maintain them, as well as manage the water level properly in your batteries, so that they live a long and efficient and inexpensive to you life between replacements.

If you'd like to geek out over those last 4 or 5 items and learn the right way to do so, use the search function here and read the story of "My Screwy 31"... it's a textbook example of learning how important charge voltage and charge amperage is to properly recharging and maintaining a battery.
red31
Explorer
Nov 08, 2015
Why Many Solar Systems Do Not Work Well
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Nov 08, 2015
You can learn a lot about installation here including better informed for having someone else do the job.
Ray___June
Explorer
Nov 08, 2015
dahkota wrote:
I'm not sure how large the 'Larger Las Vegas Area' is but Marv of Precision RV (also AM Solar) is in the Phoenix area right now. DH calls him the Rainman of Solar.

He installed the solar on our tt and then fixed the complete cluster f%*$ the dealer made of our system when they moved it to our current rig. We drove 2000 miles (from Florida to AZ) to have him fix it because, to be honest, we don't trust anyone else.

Last week, we had him install our new satellite dish (after waiting three months) because we don't trust anyone else attaching things to our roof.

Nina (of Wheelingit) has a great write-up about their experience here.

X2000!
Marv did our solar, changed the inverter, and installed AGM batteries for us last year.

I built and raced sports cars for years so I'm kind of anal about doing things right. Marv is as good as they come!
hkury00
Explorer
Nov 08, 2015
Wow, lots of quality advice and information. Thank you all! I have a rough system in my head but now I have some homework to do. I would love to come back with a plan and have it commented by the many experts on this forum.
Again thanks and have a good day.
H
time2roll
Nomad
Nov 08, 2015
How many watts of panels do you expect to install?
150w? 500W? Have you measured what might fit while avoiding shadow issues?

Here are some panels to explore dimensions:

SolarBLVD.com