SkiSmuggs wrote:
I disagree on your cheap battery option. I would go to a golf cart shop and get a pair of GC2 6 volt batteries and install in series for 12V. You already have the space, they will tolerate being depleted to 50% or less much better and can last 8-10 years.
On solar, you can agonize over all the info and be paralyzed into inactivity, or you could just get a kit like this one:
Renogy 200w Kit
The 100w panels should be small enough to wrangle onto your roof, but check the measurements to be sure.
And there is a good chance your local RV dealer might not know much more about solar than you do. At least with a kit, they will get some of it right. You are looking for a good solution with a small investment in time and money. The kit above should do it for you, but batteries are your first priority.
There is a lot of good info on this forum, and some members live and breathe solar setups, but that is not your goal.
I like that idea on the batteries, thanks. Hooked in series, will my trucks alternator, and the converter in the camper fully charge them? The reason I was thinking about getting cheap batteries is that when I am traveling, I don't want my schedule and my activities to center around caring for some high buck batteries. But it sounds like these golf cart batteries can stand up to some abuse, and they are only 50% more costly than a standard deep cycle. I need to see if I can get them to fit, they are taller than the group 31. Maybe if I remove the slide out battery tray?
Thanks guys for all the help, and especially the links to the parts and kits and installs. I am trying to read and analyze them as time permits.
Does anyone think that when driving down the road the thick panels, mounted up on the front of the roof would be noisy, or cut my fuel mileage, and would it be worthwhile to consider gluing down the thin flex panels?
West end, I am in Wright county, so maybe 45 minutes from you.
Niner, sorry if it seems that I am dismissing anyone. I'm not trying to be rude, just realistic. If I can't do it with a reasonably small investment of time, it just won't happen, despite good intentions. You know what Dirty Harry said: "A mans got to know his limitations"
Joel
