minimum amount of solar
I am considering starting into the solar age. I currently have 4 group 27 batteries and have no problem going for weekends dry camping with our current battery capacity. All of our lights have been ...
Forum Discussion
BFL13 wrote:
I agree with others that 200 is way more useful than 100. BTDT.
Some of those folding 200w "kits" are very expensive. You can make your own with two regular panels and a couple of hinges. That way, you can start off now and get an idea what it all can do, and then use it or expand it later as needed. Get a bigger amp controller with that in mind so you don't have to buy another one later.
Way more bang for the buck if you can aim your panel(s) during the day when you happen by. Can sit them on a swivel chair or just a low dolly with castors. High enough to keep the bottom of the panel(s) out of any taller grass. You will need a long enough wire to move the array out of the shadow of the rig itself for part of the day in some locations.
On my last class C I had 400W on the roof. It was more than I ever needed (2 grp 31's charged in less than 2 hours in the AM). I am now using two homemade hinged 100W panels as a start. This allows me to also run them in series and provide 36V or so to my controller. I would suggest, as others have said, to purchase a controller with capacity to grow, and also one that accepts different voltages in case you want to run panels in series. I also noticed the ability to "aim" the panels greatly increased my throughput.
