smkettner wrote:
Don't get all wrapped up in the must have 100% charge every day. The solar kit is fine and will serve you well. 120 watts is plenty to charge one to four batteries just fine. If your camping usage exceeds the solar production your charge level just drifts down a bit each day. Then at the end of the trip the solar will catch up and charge the battery to 100%. Plenty of RV batteries operate every day and don't ever get 14.8 volts as converters don't go that high.
Yes performance will improve with some #10 wire and the controller mounted close to the battery. Go ahead and mount the panel on the roof and let the solar start working every day.
Get out camping a few times to evaluate performance for your needs. Go at least once with the existing battery... it might just work out fine.
No fancy battery monitor needed IMO. LED light should be first.
All LED lights, as of last week. 10x panels 48 SMD lcd warm white 3000k. About $17.00, good for 5 double domes, 3 in hall, 1 over sink and one over the booth table.
48 SMD led light panels warm white.As much as I want to go camping, it was 4F in Bishop CA this morning. Great for getting the temp compensated voltage up for charging the battery, not so good for the plumbing systems, me thinks. Don't want to test the plumbing system right now too for fail, tanks are not covered or insulated on this little 21 foot travel trailer. Maybe on the next one.
