Almot wrote:
landyacht318 wrote:
... she won't be installing solar on her roof by herself. The labor to do this job, and how most paid installers do halfass jobs using halfassed wiring, is not a desirable route, though Solar itself is great at silently getting 80% batteries up and near to 100%, a job the alternator is Not good at, and neither is a grid powered charger hooked to a generator or a MSW inverter.
Installers are getting better, there is more of them to choose from. Even with the most stupid and lazy laborer there is an option to make them do it YOUR way, and this is what I would do if I were the OP. Do you research, ask, order most crucial parts and specify how it needs to be done - what panels, controller, panel mounts, wire gauge. Then just be there. Not much different from dealing with contractors in Mexico - you have to be there or they won't work or won't do it right (I would say, in Mexico almost never they would do it “right” because have no right tools or knowledge how to use it). Usually solar installers won't argue and will do what you tell them to.
So far I've heard of only one source for quality solar installers - www.amsolar.com. Some of their contractors are mobile, traveling all over. I don't endorse this company and didn’t buy any parts from them. Shop around for parts.
For DIY ideas, you can browse The list of completed projects
The very first link on the List is by Sleepy - on a small motorhome. Old post, panels are cheaper now and people install more and larger panels. As I see, the only time she needed help was to lift panels on the roof.
Yes, solar will often charge to 80% and near 100%.
Yes, solar does does a better yet job of charging “from” 80% to 100%, because these last 20% are slow, no matter what charging source, and it’s better to let solar do this after initial boost by generator or engine in the morning than running a generator for another 3-4 hours.
Yes, solar can charge from 50% to 100% as well. Energy conservation is the key, especially with a small solar. If you can make your coffee on propane, and reheat leftovers also on propane, a 200-300W solar in the South in winter will charge to 100% most of the time.
One other power hog is a furnace. Some people chose to replace it with Olympian catalytic heater from Amazon - those are non-vented, but apparently it works. I'm trying to get a vented cat heater for over 6 months now, from the only company that makes it, and am losing my patience already. But, with plenty of sun and nights above freezing, a furnace could still fit in the solar "energy budget".
Yes, bigger battery bank is important for off-grid, especially while on solar. Because you need to be able to ride through bad weather days. There aren't too many bad days in snowbirds destinations, but you still need to store at least 1.5 days supply. Which means - you need to do you "energy audit" - determine know how much you typically draw. Many people don't know. And - whether you can minimize this draw - a lot of people can't or don't want to.
If increased battery bank requires AGM due to space considerations - then get AGM, why not? They don't release fumes and can be mounted inside. Only Lifeline brand of AGM has very high charging rate, all other brands typically state that you should not exceed 0.3C charging rate, and this is about the same rate as with flooded. I recall reading 0.2-0.3C "recommended" rate in the manual of popular Troyan flooded batteries.
/\ He pretty much covered all the bases when it comes to electrical energy, except one.... change out all your light bulbs to lcd lights, to use less battery and conserve more amps, daily.
