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vic46's avatar
vic46
Explorer
Jul 11, 2015

Solar, for very low knowledge inquirer!

As noted, I could be accurately described as a neophyte regarding solar.

Looking at a coach that has 8 x 6V and 2 x 12V batteries and a 100 Watt solar panel. I assume all the integral bits between the panel and the batteries are in place and that the batteries are of the flooded variety.

It seems to me that 100 Watts would be akin to a drop in the proverbial bucket as far as maintaining the two battery banks. I have no idea, as yet, if both the battery banks are in the solar system.

Please school me.

Thanks;

Vic

17 Replies

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  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Jul 12, 2015
    10 batteries or about 1100 amp hours can use five amps just floating.
    Panel is about six amps max. Any recharge will be sloooow.

    What do you expect to get from the solar?
  • Golden_HVAC's avatar
    Golden_HVAC
    Explorer
    Jul 12, 2015
    Hi,

    You might want to upgrade with a pair of 140 watt panels. They are $229 at this place. SunElec.com

    You can make brackets out of 2" angle aluminum 6" long and drill holes into one side and 5/16" for the bracket to the panel.

    You can buy a 20 amp PWM controller for about $20.

    The more expensive MPPT controller used to be cost effective, but it is less expensive to buy another panel than to get a little more power from the MPPT controller.

    Good luck,

    Fred.
  • vic46's avatar
    vic46
    Explorer
    Jul 11, 2015
    RJsfishin wrote:
    If it has 10 batteries, I'd quit lookin at it !


    A reason would be useful! All electric coach including residential refrigerator.
  • vic46's avatar
    vic46
    Explorer
    Jul 11, 2015
    smkettner wrote:
    100 watts is just a maintenance charge with ten batteries.
    Check battery voltage late in the day when stored unplugged to see if all are charging. 13.2+ is charging. 12.8 not so much.


    If you want to camp off grid you are probably looking at stepping up to 500 to 1200 watts depending on use.
    Still will not really run the air conditioner.


    Charging or charged????????????????
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Jul 11, 2015
    100 watts is just a maintenance charge with ten batteries.
    Check battery voltage late in the day when stored unplugged to see if all are charging. 13.2+ is charging. 12.8 not so much.


    If you want to camp off grid you are probably looking at stepping up to 500 to 1200 watts depending on use.
    Still will not really run the air conditioner.
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Jul 11, 2015
    with only one panel
    i would suspect, it is the chassis / engine (2) 12v batteries that are being maintained

    as the house could be disconnected using the switch, and recharged (if needed) via engine or generator

    i could be wrong it could be the other way around

    it will NOT be connected to both systems

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