Utilizing Solar with FHU
I most often park with Full Hookups. I am trying to figure out how to use solar energy to reduce my electric bill and of course be available when I do occasionally park off the grid. I enjoy my air ...
Forum Discussion
Hi,
It is possible to save about 1 KWH per day with a 200 watt solar system. Compared to 0.15 per kwh it is going to take a very long time to recoup the costs.
If you DIY and search carefully costs may be under $1 per watt for panels, and controller. But such a system would not allow for future upgrades which would make boondocking convenient.
Do you have a way (such as a kill-a-watt meter) to measure consumption on your converter?
Another way to limit use would be to have a hybrid inverter charger that would limit your shore power intake to say 15 amps. Extra power as needed would be drawn from the battery bank, and the solar would help to recharge the bank.
It might take some time to find the "ideal" setting for the intake power limitation. For example if the air conditioner is running 24/7 it may be unwise to limit to just 15 amps.
I do often only have 15 amp shore power and since I have a medium size battery bank I can "live" with that limit while the RV "pretends" it is a 30 amp supply--taking energy from the battery bank when I cook, etc. When the load drops off the charger replaces the energy that I've used from the battery bank.
But the bottom line remains the same. With 200 watts you would only save $0.15 per day on a 365 day average.
It is possible to save about 1 KWH per day with a 200 watt solar system. Compared to 0.15 per kwh it is going to take a very long time to recoup the costs.
If you DIY and search carefully costs may be under $1 per watt for panels, and controller. But such a system would not allow for future upgrades which would make boondocking convenient.
Do you have a way (such as a kill-a-watt meter) to measure consumption on your converter?
Another way to limit use would be to have a hybrid inverter charger that would limit your shore power intake to say 15 amps. Extra power as needed would be drawn from the battery bank, and the solar would help to recharge the bank.
It might take some time to find the "ideal" setting for the intake power limitation. For example if the air conditioner is running 24/7 it may be unwise to limit to just 15 amps.
I do often only have 15 amp shore power and since I have a medium size battery bank I can "live" with that limit while the RV "pretends" it is a 30 amp supply--taking energy from the battery bank when I cook, etc. When the load drops off the charger replaces the energy that I've used from the battery bank.
But the bottom line remains the same. With 200 watts you would only save $0.15 per day on a 365 day average.
