Solar panel overkill?
I have been mentally designing a solar system for our small class C. I have 2 6 volt GC batteries and have no extra room to add more. I was originally thinking of installing a 24V 235 watt panel fro...
Forum Discussion
No idea what the OP's options are or what he likes, but just tossing in some thoughts on what I would be thinking ---
Full timing on two batts does not sound likely. Seems possible a bigger rig will be wanted when it comes to that. IMO only nail down your solar on that rig if you are sure you will be keeping it a long time.
Using the cargo rails on the back of the roof (if you have them) lets you carry the panel up there without having to nail it down. I made a wooden tray for ours that is strapped to the cargo rails and then the panel goes in the tray. Wiring is the same as if nailed down in the usual way.
(Actually I tip the tray up and lash the panel to it before setting the tray down and strapping that down. Also I can unstrap the tray on arrival and tip it up to the South with a tripod stand I have for that or just lean it on the a/c shroud--don't have to park in a special direction to aim the panel(s) I can also take the whole thing down and set it up on the ground over in the sun if the RV is in the shade.)
Or you could nail down one panel on this rig and wait till you know for sure you will be keeping it before getting the second and the more costly controller. Or you could get the second now as a portable with two cheaper controllers and nail it down later and get a more costly controller then.
I would get the $102 Eco-W for the one panel instead of the more expensive Tracer ( I had the EP Solar PWM LandStar and it was good quality, so I imagine the Tracer is ok too. Just looking at the costs here)
IMO you don't need the remote monitor for the solar. Better value to get a Trimetric that can monitor everything.
Full timing on two batts does not sound likely. Seems possible a bigger rig will be wanted when it comes to that. IMO only nail down your solar on that rig if you are sure you will be keeping it a long time.
Using the cargo rails on the back of the roof (if you have them) lets you carry the panel up there without having to nail it down. I made a wooden tray for ours that is strapped to the cargo rails and then the panel goes in the tray. Wiring is the same as if nailed down in the usual way.
(Actually I tip the tray up and lash the panel to it before setting the tray down and strapping that down. Also I can unstrap the tray on arrival and tip it up to the South with a tripod stand I have for that or just lean it on the a/c shroud--don't have to park in a special direction to aim the panel(s) I can also take the whole thing down and set it up on the ground over in the sun if the RV is in the shade.)
Or you could nail down one panel on this rig and wait till you know for sure you will be keeping it before getting the second and the more costly controller. Or you could get the second now as a portable with two cheaper controllers and nail it down later and get a more costly controller then.
I would get the $102 Eco-W for the one panel instead of the more expensive Tracer ( I had the EP Solar PWM LandStar and it was good quality, so I imagine the Tracer is ok too. Just looking at the costs here)
IMO you don't need the remote monitor for the solar. Better value to get a Trimetric that can monitor everything.
