New Solar Install

@Son of Norway - Thanks for the tip! that's a great place to start!! I appreciate the lead.

Traveler, was asking about CW’s proposal. What did they spec?

I got a single 325 watt contractor for 175.Similar deals are available from residual installers because new , slightly higher wattage panels are always out there.
2 of the 36 watt 300-375 watt panels is a simple install.
10-12 ga wiring depending on distance, a 60 amp MPPT controller, and wire to the batteries.
https://www.renogy.com/charge-controllers/

You can shop on Amazon and a get a 400W system with MPPT controller for about $700. And then as you seen inverters can be had for a decent price as well as batteries. If you or he does the install your self it shouldn’t be anymore than $2k with wiring for good quality compaonenets.

OUTRAGEOUS run don't walk away.

jodeb720 wrote:
Price quoted $6512.00
Freedom 2000w pure sine wave inverter Installed, $1402
Freedom x Control Panel (Bluetooth), installed 248.00
Solar Kit (1 panel, no brand name provided), installed $1253.00
Solar Kit (2 additional panels) $1678.00
4 golf cart batteries, AGM (no brand name), Installed $1931.00

We just went to lunch, a Renology 2000w inverter - amazon priced - 269.00.

this just seems to be outrageous. After a lengthy convo and he has two generators (honda, 2200w) why spend all that money.

I can see the batteries (and Lead Acid, costco 210ah, 6v around 100.00 each, a good battery charger and the inverter = A whole lotta less money... now, he's got a 40' toy hauler and can't really park in places like national/state parks (because of the length) so generator noise or minimal run time isn't an issue...

And most of the time there's nobody close to him anyway so is it really worth it?

I agree, piano. Way overpriced by our host.

"a good friend of mine reached out to the folks at camping world.
They gave him a quote for 510watts of panels, some GC batteries (AGM) and controllers etc."
"Price quoted $6512.00"

They "saw him coming" from the big M (for " mark" ) on his forehead.

"Never give a sucker an even break" is a saying from an earlier American, but used by RADM Oldendorf on his victory at Surigao Strait 24 Oct 44

I bought from amsolar.com. If I decide to add more, I will buy from them again. They also have videos on installation.

jodeb720 wrote:
Price quoted $6512.00
Freedom 2000w pure sine wave inverter Installed, $1402
Freedom x Control Panel (Bluetooth), installed 248.00
Solar Kit (1 panel, no brand name provided), installed $1253.00
Solar Kit (2 additional panels) $1678.00
4 golf cart batteries, AGM (no brand name), Installed $1931.00

We just went to lunch, a Renology 2000w inverter - amazon priced - 269.00.

this just seems to be outrageous. After a lengthy convo and he has two generators (honda, 2200w) why spend all that money.

I can see the batteries (and Lead Acid, costco 210ah, 6v around 100.00 each, a good battery charger and the inverter = A whole lotta less money... now, he's got a 40' toy hauler and can't really park in places like national/state parks (because of the length) so generator noise or minimal run time isn't an issue...

And most of the time there's nobody close to him anyway so is it really worth it?

WAAAY overpriced and not worth it. That quote reminds me why I try to do everything myself if possible. If they are handy, they can install solar themselves for a fraction of the cost. I installed a 500w solar MPPT system with a 2000w pure sine wave inverter for less than $750. Here's how I did it....

https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/30217540.cfm

I'm a fan of used panels...you can usually find them for 50-80% less than new ones (check local craigslist, facebook marketplace, etc). Just be sure to test them before you buy.

If they have room in the toy hauler for some portable solar panels, buy cheap used one and then all you need is ~40'x2 of wire and a charge controller and you can create a very inexpensive portable system. They can try that out a few times to see how much they even like solar.

Good luck!
Chris

Thanks everybody for confirming what I told him.
Walk Away from CW!

we did a walk through on his daily usage In Ah - and we figured - conservatively - that he's going to use about 100ah a day (he's got parasitic draw of 2ah constantly - which seems high).

we did the calculations for water pump, furnace, lights, ceiling fans, everything we could throw in and that's were we started out.

We figure we need about 400Ah of capacity - using 50% of the capacity each day.

GC's are the way to go - and he's going to get me his current charger model number (i'll bet it's a WFCO).

The alternative is to use an exernal battery charger (3 stage).

He's looking at FLA's, AGM and LI batteries (but I know he'll opt for the FLA's).

He doesn't live in it off grid, it's mostly weekend and vacation.
He already has his Generators (the 5er has a Yamaha built in and two 2200w hondas). Financially it just doesn't make sense - even if the cost of fuel is 5.00 a gallon. his ROI is just not there.