Yet another solar question

Almot wrote:

mchero wrote:

Long term plans are to upgrade to a newer coach, perhaps 10 years newer so I don't want to go nuts on a full solar system.

When boon docking it's just mainly lights, TV, DirecTV box and perhaps the furnace. If we are camping late fall.

230-250W panel "might" be a full solar system for all those devices, plus those that you forgot to mention, like pumps and 12V circuit of LP fridge. Assuming you don't watch sat TV more than 4 hours a day, AND don't play online games on laptop when not watching TV, AND the furnace doesn't cycle more than 25% in the night AND it's warm enough in daytime. A lot of assumptions. For some people this will work, for some won't.

230-250W will cost $300 together with Ecoworthy clone for MPPT, panel weight ~35 lbs, 3x5ft large. Possible to take in and out, a little awkward without help but doable. Easy to lean up against the wall outside.

In reality, I doubt 250W could be a full solar for you. With more than one person, you don't know what they might have in mind. You could be fishing and your partner running sat TV and bunch of lights for hours. And very powerful 120V devices like coffee maker, toaster, and microwave, all at the same time :) ... Each of those will dwarf your sat TV and lights, in terms of energy. I don't consider these kitchen appliances essential for a comfortable living, but many will disagree.

So, I doubt that one big panel will cover all your needs. But it could slow down the battery drain and extend you stay enough to not to have to run a gen set before you drive home or some other place with shore power.

Like people said, this is a better alternative than paying thousands to listen to "quiet" generator.