Solar Panels: How many watts?

hedgehopper wrote:

RedRocket204 wrote:
With two Group 24 12V batteries, I do get pretty close to 50% discharge rate by the time the sun comes up.

I...will be changing up to (2) GC2 6V batteries

How much will that improve your battery capacity?

I forget the exact amp hour rating on my batteries. Grp 24 are usually in the range of 70-85 amp hours each. So lets say 80 amp hours each, 12V are run in parallel so the amp hours are added together for 160 amp hours.

With two GC2 batteries, 6V run in series to add the voltage to 12V and you maintain your amp hours rating which is usually around 225 amp hours. So a significant increase in amp hours by just changing the batteries.

There is a very minor footprint change from Grp 24 to GC2, mainly the height impacts most. Some general dimensions:

Grp 24: 11.13" 6.60" 9.25" LxWxH
GC2: 10.38" 7.13" 10.88" LxWxH

batterystuff.com - List of Common Battery Case Sizes by BCI Group Number

profdant139 wrote:
The advantage of portable solar is that it is tilted properly and can be moved into the sun, while you are parked in the shade. The disadvantage is that you have to deploy it on arrival and pack it up when you leave.

My semi-portable solution:



I can lift the panels off by pulling two pins in each panel and set them out in the sun. If that side of the coach is in the sun, I can leave them in place and tilt them up. I also have a panel permanently installed on the roof. For a total of 385 watts.