We have been living in a TT full time for well over a year. Now its high time we start weaning ourselves off of grid power. We will be moving our camper onto land without shore power. So we plan to get a generator. Primarily for running tools and such. But also as a crutch by plugging into the camper. But overall, we want to implement solar as much as possible. But GRADUALLY due to cost. My biggest question here is this. (And I apologize if this has been discussed before, I couldnt find it)Would it make sense to put together a smallish solar system and plug the generator and solar inverter into an auto transfer switch? Then plug that into the RV main outlet? Eliminating any modifications inside? I have a basic understanding of electricity and wiring. And realize that I would need to consider any DRAW there might be inside, sucking the life out of the batteries. The idea here is to keep the solar batteries separate from the camper converter system. At present, we have a single deep cell on the camper, like traditionally seen. And I wonder if I might have to unhook that battery to keep from charging it using the solar batteries.I hope someone can give me a good answer on this. THANKS!!PS. Another reason I am thinking about keeping my solar system separate from the camper inside wiring is because we will eventually build a cabin that I will "move" the solar system to.

Generally no, I don't see any merit to what you're doing as I read it.However....joem789 wrote:Would it make sense to put together a smallish solar system (30A inverter) and plug the generator and solar inverter into an auto transfer switch?I don't know what you mean by 30a inverter.

Sorry about that. I was looking at an inverter/charger that listed 30a on the outlet. I removed it to avoid confusion. I am thinking of starting out at around 200 watts solar. But want an inverter somewhat bigger.

An inverter that will pump out 30a @ 120v = 3600w. That takes a whopping amount of solar panels.I think you're advocating "running things" directly with solar. It doesn't work like that in an RV. Solar is for charging batteries. You hook the inverter to the batteries.

Stand-alone solar of any reasonable size is really only going to be useful for charging batteries which are in turn used to power a load as needed. Might as well set it up to charge your camper battery directly for now, then re-wire to charge whatever battery pack you put in your cabin when the time comes.Residential solar only works without batteries because it is essentially treating the electrical grid as a giant battery (sell power when you over produce, buy when you under produce). This doesn't work if you are off the grid.

I understand how the inverter hooks to the batteries. Let me rephrase things a little. Can I build a 200 watt solar system and plug it directly into the camper outlet and run it like usual. I realize that many things will have to be shut off inside the camper to avoid draining the batteries. I just want to know if it will technically WORK and if so, how is the efficiency of the solar system affected by running into the camper electrical system. Thanks.

Another SOLAR question!!! | Good Sam Community

rbpru
Explorer II
Aug 04, 2015
Sunshine may be free but capturing it is not. There are many many variables but you have to start with your consumption.

How many watts do you use a day on average? That is what you will have to produce to replenish your battery. Either you produce it with the sun or the generator.

Remember the solar panel wattage output is based on full sun. How many hours of full sun does your location get each day?

Solar is certainly doable but it is not easy or cheap; otherwise we would all use it.
westend
Explorer
Aug 04, 2015
joem789 wrote:
I understand how the inverter hooks to the batteries. Let me rephrase things a little. Can I build a 200 watt solar system and plug it directly into the camper outlet and run it like usual. I realize that many things will have to be shut off inside the camper to avoid draining the batteries. I just want to know if it will technically WORK and if so, how is the efficiency of the solar system affected by running into the camper electrical system. Thanks.
First, don't use the term "plug" anymore. It has multiple meanings and just confuses things.

You can connect your shore power cord directly into an inverter. It is as efficient as using a transfer switch but isn't automatic. To have automation with the solar power, you would need to install another transfer switch.

Read up here about the intricacies of solar installation. Here is a list of Forum member solar installations with pictures and descriptions.

You will need to do an energy audit of what you wish to power to arrive at the various amounts of panels, batteries, and inversion necessary to make it all work right. That needs to be done before an upgrade path is determined (if done in stages) and wire sizes are selected.
2oldman
Explorer II
Aug 04, 2015
joem789 wrote:
Can I build a 200 watt solar system and plug it directly into the camper outlet and run it like usual.
What camper outlet? You mean plug the camper 30a cable into the solar?

What do you expect to 'run' at less than 200w for a couple hours/day?
pianotuna
Nomad III
Aug 04, 2015
Hi,

Yes to the battery bank, but 200 watts is not going to be nearly enough if you wish to eliminate generator use. It will help a bit. You might harvest 1 kwh per day under ideal conditions.

Solar systems are generally hooked up to the battery bank.

joem789 wrote:
I understand how the inverter hooks to the batteries. Let me rephrase things a little. Can I build a 200 watt solar system and plug it directly into the camper outlet and run it like usual. I realize that many things will have to be shut off inside the camper to avoid draining the batteries. I just want to know if it will technically WORK and if so, how is the efficiency of the solar system affected by running into the camper electrical system. Thanks.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Aug 04, 2015
Is it a power system or a battery charger?

The idea when generator charging is to provide as much energy as you can to the battery bank. 30 amps of charging is not going to 'cut the mustard'

Look for used telcom AGM batteries.

Start with an energy audit.
joem789
Explorer
Aug 04, 2015
I understand how the inverter hooks to the batteries. Let me rephrase things a little. Can I build a 200 watt solar system and plug it directly into the camper outlet and run it like usual. I realize that many things will have to be shut off inside the camper to avoid draining the batteries. I just want to know if it will technically WORK and if so, how is the efficiency of the solar system affected by running into the camper electrical system. Thanks.
AndyW
Explorer
Aug 04, 2015
Stand-alone solar of any reasonable size is really only going to be useful for charging batteries which are in turn used to power a load as needed. Might as well set it up to charge your camper battery directly for now, then re-wire to charge whatever battery pack you put in your cabin when the time comes.

Residential solar only works without batteries because it is essentially treating the electrical grid as a giant battery (sell power when you over produce, buy when you under produce). This doesn't work if you are off the grid.
2oldman
Explorer II
Aug 04, 2015
An inverter that will pump out 30a @ 120v = 3600w. That takes a whopping amount of solar panels.

I think you're advocating "running things" directly with solar. It doesn't work like that in an RV. Solar is for charging batteries. You hook the inverter to the batteries.
joem789
Explorer
Aug 04, 2015
Sorry about that. I was looking at an inverter/charger that listed 30a on the outlet. I removed it to avoid confusion. I am thinking of starting out at around 200 watts solar. But want an inverter somewhat bigger.
2oldman
Explorer II
Aug 04, 2015
Generally no, I don't see any merit to what you're doing as I read it.

However....

joem789 wrote:
Would it make sense to put together a smallish solar system (30A inverter) and plug the generator and solar inverter into an auto transfer switch?
I don't know what you mean by 30a inverter.

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