Solar Learning Question, from a previous thread

StirCrazy wrote:

BFL13 wrote:


Solar is just a way to stretch out the time between generator or shore power recharges. You can stretch out that time from every day to every second day to every few months, depending. So what are you expecting/wanting to do?

where does that come from. I did three weeks in the 5th wheel this sumer, and every night before I went to bed the four 6V batteries were 100% charged. then I did two weeks in the truck camper in september in alberta so using the furnace every night. I was back to 100% around noon every day and stayed there untill it started getting dark. definatly not just for "streatching" the period between recharging with a genny. if done properly it is a totaly replacment for a generator.

as to the OP's original question there are not any good forums or such when it comes to 12V rv related solar. there are some very good sites that deal with off grid and on grid high voltage static setups. its all relitive and you can take bits and pieces from there and apply it to here.

Totally agree.

My trailer has not seen shore power for over 4 years and my pair of GC2's are alive and well after 9 years of usage.

BFL13 wrote:


Solar is just a way to stretch out the time between generator or shore power recharges. You can stretch out that time from every day to every second day to every few months, depending. So what are you expecting/wanting to do?

where does that come from. I did three weeks in the 5th wheel this sumer, and every night before I went to bed the four 6V batteries were 100% charged. then I did two weeks in the truck camper in september in alberta so using the furnace every night. I was back to 100% around noon every day and stayed there untill it started getting dark. definatly not just for "streatching" the period between recharging with a genny. if done properly it is a totaly replacment for a generator.

as to the OP's original question there are not any good forums or such when it comes to 12V rv related solar. there are some very good sites that deal with off grid and on grid high voltage static setups. its all relitive and you can take bits and pieces from there and apply it to here.

Solar is just a battery charger. In good sun you get 5 maybe 6 hours of good charging.
Just need to figure out how much you need and have a battery to store it.

Link to review: https://www.mobile-solarpower.com/

And some basics: The 12 Volt Side of Life

BFL13 wrote:
Solar is just a way to stretch out the time between generator or shore power recharges. You can stretch out that time from every day to every second day to every few months, depending. So what are you expecting/wanting to do?

I use solar to do the vast majority of battery maintenance. For me it is unlikely to be shore power that gets my bank to 100%.

Any time there are 60 watts of solar per 100 amp-hours of storage, shore power is no longer required for full recharging and equalizing a bank.

I would venture to say that shore power and generator are, in my case, used for opportunity charging. But, I do have two identical battery banks--so I can charge one while using the other.

OkieGene wrote:


Unfortunately, I didn't bookmark that and the email is gone.

Thanks!

That would be me.

https://freecampsites.net/adding-solar/

OK found your previous thread, I think
solar sub forum
But it seems to have died due to a lack of clarity on what to call it, and what it was supposed to cover.
For the curmudgeons;
How about an "off grid power" sub forum?
It would include solar, gennies, batteries, and whatever windmills you want to tilt towards.

There are many variations/options but it comes down to what you want to accomplish like keep the batteries charged while the RV is stored to solar without shore power and gen. Here's a dated thread with a lot of ideas and variations of member installs. Maybe some of this will help.

https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28427857.cfm

Try searching say "rv solar education" etc.

Define "good solar system" for you.
What roof space for how many of how big of individual panels?
How do you camp now off-grid for how many days in a row with no shore power?
What size battery bank, battery charger, and generator?
How often do you recharge the battery bank now? Relates to daily AH use.
What time of year and what latitude?
In the open or under some shade trees?

Solar is just a way to stretch out the time between generator or shore power recharges. You can stretch out that time from every day to every second day to every few months, depending. So what are you expecting/wanting to do?