Solar plan

i read all of the posts of the solar installs and try to read everything that comes through. I didn't buy a trimetric or anything else to measure my use but some suggest matching it to the battery amp hours. I have 4 gc 2 Sams club batteries so about 400 ah. One online calculator said I was around 55 amp hours a day so it would seem that I could go 4 days but that's not true. It's more like 2 days and obviously depends on several factors.

Factors like how cold is it, how much water I pump from a 6 gallon jug on the ground and through my winterizing valve into the fresh tank, number of hours of 40 inch led tv which draws 6.7 amps. I have looked at the other heating options and could only really go with the cat platinum vented but have nowhere to mount it. I like my furnace as it does a great job, it just sucks 5 amps.

I understand how to cut down on energy use in several areas but I dont want to conserve, I dont want a wool hat in bed, I dont want extra bedding, I want to be just as comfortable in the RV as I am at home. The main reason I leave the north is to escape the cold, not to go camping or compromise on comfort. Not sounding snobbish just saying that everyone does it differently. I have wondered why I see people walking around inside big rigs with a flashlight only????

So far I have done it with 4 cheap batteries, an PD 4655, a Quick Charge brand battery charger 50 amp and a mega watt 30A 15.5 v power supply. I have had extremely short generator run times. probably because of hitting them with 105 amps and doing 15 volt top charges.

So right now I made it through the winter and I'm in the process of watching the batteries. I'm not worried about them but I am amazed at what they have done for me. I figure they should last 4 years for $350.00 so if they only last a year and a half that's fine. That's a $225 penalty for what I put them through. No big deal or I wouldn't have spent $3,000 on diesel fuel.

One thing you guys had mentioned is the generator noise out in the desert. I have never been out there and always pretty much woods camped so far. My Honda is in an insulated cabinet in back of my truck and is very quiet but when I visited west Texas I found out what you mean about the noise. It's a whole different game out in the wide open areas.

So it's time for solar. I dont plan on inverting to the heavy stuff. I always start any measurements with one question and that is do you EVER want to run the AC? I do, so I'm going to have the Honda 3000 with me. I will just push the remote start button for the Honda to run the the micro, hair dryer or toaster.

I'm thinking about 3 160 watt panels or 4 120 watt, a Morningstar PWM 45 Tristar. I would like to do this one time and do it right. I think I would be around $1,500 or so. On top of that price I may go to Trojan's or Crowns if my turds are shaky after running them this summer.

What am I messing up on? I like the idea of connecting straight to the panel box instead of those mc type connectors?? I have a crimp tool for all the connections. I also have a bit of 6 gauge on hand and will buy whatever is needed. I think I can make a combiner box and go thought the frig vent with Home D components. The controller will be within a few feet of the batteries. I have blue seas switches that let me separate banks for equalizing and charge either or both banks from either charger.

I dont want to have to go up there to tilt but I will make them tilt-able just in case.








Less chance of shadows?


If I use 4 panels they would probably be more like 22 inches wide I believe.


Thanks for your help and all the excellent reading you have provided. I made it through the winter because of you guys.