Solar Power forTrailer
I have a 2007 Artic Fox 22g trailer.I am looking to upgrade the power to use a solar power system. I am wondering what systems I could get or how I should go about installing one.
Forum Discussion
Almot wrote:
Bad news is that you will need MPPT type controller for them, more expensive than PWM type. Good news is that cable will be thinner than with 12V array. Buy used panels if you can, but they are inexpensive new either.
Many are getting Li batteries these days, the rule 1-1.5W solar per 100 AH of batteries becomes less important then.
is that a typo on the 1-1.5W/100AH, you meant 1-1.5W/1AH maybe?
anyways I don't think it is becoming less important, but rather going above that might be less important. if we got that rule and have 150 watts on a lead acid, we are usually talking about 2 6V or a big 12V so 200ish ah capacity so that would be 300 watts and I agree that's what I put on my camper when I first redid all that stuff, 220 AH with 325 watts of solar. now if we are talking LFP, you can use the full 200AH instead of sticking to the 50% rule like we do in lead acid. So, in effect we have the possibility of using a lot more capacity and depending on our existing solar to make it up. Now yes LFP will accept charge better due to the lower internal resistance less heat is generated so more of that energy goes to charging, I found about a 20% faster charge when I switched to LFP. But, when you know you can use more capacity, people have a tendency to do so. If your solar just covered you before, now you are going to be short. so, keep that in mind.
Also, I don't know why people still think MPPT is so much more than PWM cost wise. If you look at the renogy, I know you had a difficult time with yours but my 3 renogy products have been flawless. the 30 amp pwm with Bluetooth is 89 bucks, where the MPPT with Bluetooth is 190.00 yes that's more expensive but it's not crazy more, oh and that's Cdn pricing. When you get up into the 60amp and 100 amp it does get pricier but it's hard to find a good compact PWM in those ranges anymore, and for the increase in output I get from the MPPT it is well worth that extra cost. My 325watt MPPT setup puts out more charging amps in a day by about 5% over my 480watt PWM setup on my 5th wheel.
