Ready to get my feet wet with Solar power

SteveAE wrote:
lc0338,

So as I understand it, what you are looking to build is essentially a "solar generator". The device will have solar panels, a charger, batteries, and a inverter. And the 120 VAC output of the "solar generator" will be connected to the converter/charger(s) of your other trailer(s) to charge their batteries. Is this correct?
If this is so, here are my thoughts:
- While not the way most folks would build a RV solar system, there is nothing wrong with creative thinking and looking at possibilities like this.
- Many items in your RV's use 12 VDC. You will loose a lot of power though the inefficiencies of both the inverter and the converter when running your 12 volt items.
- If you only have a stock converter in your RV, the charging of your RV batteries will be very prolonged, such to the point that the sun will likely have set long before your batteries get charged.
- A small generator would be less expensive, lighter and easier to move, and will do a better job of running higher power line voltage appliances (especially those with high initial startup current) than a "solar generator" (note that I am a solar proponent when it makes sense and I have yet to use my generator for camping).
- You will have the expense and labor involved with maintaining, and replacing, another set of batteries.
- Another approach might be to install a solar charge controller in each RV and then just take portable solar panels along.

Good luck with your project,
Steve

Steve, thanks for your input. What you described is correct. What you have brought up is one of the concerns I had: How much efficiency is lost in creating a solar power island to "plug" into and kinda one of the reasons I jumped ahead to make a little bigger system using 24 volt, etc.
Reason for the island is to prevent duplication. I really wanted to have a battery meter (something like tri-metric 2025rv) but if I start duplicating that gets expensive also. One advantage of an solar power island is it can be used around the farm when not rv'ing or someone else could use it when not needed, like a spare generator. The tow vehicle can be used as well to help keep the on-board rv batteries charged as mentioned earlier. It may be that someone has the efficiency loss already calculated when hooked to shore power and this would help determine which makes most sense.