Please help me with solar setup
I have been reading a lot about solar on here and finally decided to take the plunge or come to the dark side as some would say. Sunny side makes more sense, but whatever. :) We do not use a lot of...
Forum Discussion
Hi there, had a moho since 1980. This is my 4th one. I have a 26 ft Itasca with out a gen set. I have put 125k on this rig. Lived in it for 6 years and now just part time in it. Been wrenching for 45 years.
I have found that what works the best is 12 volt marine deep cycle batts, the biggest you can fit into your batt area. If you can 2 group 27's. I have 180 watts from 2 panels. The first panel was installed in 1999, 55watts and cost me $800 at CW, just for the parts. Needless to say, prices have come down a lot. 2nd panel, 125 watt cost only $130. delivered to my door. Got to love that ebay.
2 things I want to point out, first is that when you fire up your gen set, it charges your batts from the built in coach charger that is in your 120v to 12v inverter. There are some coaches that have separate chargers for their gen sets, but it is seldom that I have seen this. So you are limited to the charge rate of what ever the charging section will put out, usually in the 15 to 20 amp range. Your engine alternator can put out as much as 110 amps(depending on the mode) to charge the batts.
That said, I run 2 group 24 marine deep cycle along with a 8D batt, located where the gen set should be. This gives me a total of 2500 cca amps of power. I've used this set up for the last 19 years with great success. Now you are wondering how long the batts last. I'm replacing the 8d right now. it is 9 years old, cost $200. The group 24's are being replaced too, 5 years old, but, they are not completely dead, about 50% left, so I will use them on for my boat batts for a while which have died after 6 1/2 years old. Typically they will last about 6 years total.
Now for the big question!!! How did I get them to last so long. Here is the trick, you must keep them from discharging more that 55% and keep the water/acid level up. Both marine and regular batts do not like deep discharge.
Yes, I know, they advertise that deep cycle batts work even when deeply discharged, but my "experience" has taught me the contrary to be true. When a deep cycle batt is deeply discharged it shortens the over all life of the batt that you will only see when it comes down to the end of the batts life. That is why many business will only warranty a deep cycle for a year or so.
My outlaws (inlaws) have the 6 volt deep cycle, 4 batt system. It rarely lasts for more than 4 years. Their batt compartment is built for 6 volt so it is 4 6's or 2 12's, so in their case the 6's make more sense. They also try not to discharge over 55%, but the nature of a 6v batt is different than a 12v so they die sooner and gas a lot. I'd say that they add water twice as often as I do.
So, don't discount 12v batts as your major supply of voltage, don't be afraid to run your engine to recharge, try to stay above 55% charge level, and keep your water up!
I have found that what works the best is 12 volt marine deep cycle batts, the biggest you can fit into your batt area. If you can 2 group 27's. I have 180 watts from 2 panels. The first panel was installed in 1999, 55watts and cost me $800 at CW, just for the parts. Needless to say, prices have come down a lot. 2nd panel, 125 watt cost only $130. delivered to my door. Got to love that ebay.
2 things I want to point out, first is that when you fire up your gen set, it charges your batts from the built in coach charger that is in your 120v to 12v inverter. There are some coaches that have separate chargers for their gen sets, but it is seldom that I have seen this. So you are limited to the charge rate of what ever the charging section will put out, usually in the 15 to 20 amp range. Your engine alternator can put out as much as 110 amps(depending on the mode) to charge the batts.
That said, I run 2 group 24 marine deep cycle along with a 8D batt, located where the gen set should be. This gives me a total of 2500 cca amps of power. I've used this set up for the last 19 years with great success. Now you are wondering how long the batts last. I'm replacing the 8d right now. it is 9 years old, cost $200. The group 24's are being replaced too, 5 years old, but, they are not completely dead, about 50% left, so I will use them on for my boat batts for a while which have died after 6 1/2 years old. Typically they will last about 6 years total.
Now for the big question!!! How did I get them to last so long. Here is the trick, you must keep them from discharging more that 55% and keep the water/acid level up. Both marine and regular batts do not like deep discharge.
Yes, I know, they advertise that deep cycle batts work even when deeply discharged, but my "experience" has taught me the contrary to be true. When a deep cycle batt is deeply discharged it shortens the over all life of the batt that you will only see when it comes down to the end of the batts life. That is why many business will only warranty a deep cycle for a year or so.
My outlaws (inlaws) have the 6 volt deep cycle, 4 batt system. It rarely lasts for more than 4 years. Their batt compartment is built for 6 volt so it is 4 6's or 2 12's, so in their case the 6's make more sense. They also try not to discharge over 55%, but the nature of a 6v batt is different than a 12v so they die sooner and gas a lot. I'd say that they add water twice as often as I do.
So, don't discount 12v batts as your major supply of voltage, don't be afraid to run your engine to recharge, try to stay above 55% charge level, and keep your water up!
