Help me buy a solar panel
I need advice on what solar panel to purchase. I have 2 group 31 batteries holding i think 220AH. All we do is dry-camp, only plugged into electricity a couple times. Electrical needs are very mini...
Forum Discussion
My suggestion is to look closely at your where you can mount your panel/s. Mount the minimum solar panels you think you may need, but make sure your wiring and control panel will allow for adding panels if you decide to add later.
Do not waste money on tilt mounting. It will be great the first few times out. You climb out on the roof, drawing a crowd to impress them with your solar. The will not be impressed, when it is raining while you are outside lowering them. They will have a good laugh when you drive off having forgot to lower the panels. If your mounts are really strong, you may not only destroy your panel/s, but rip your roof apart also. Mine tilt, but only when I am experimenting with them. Technically, tilting adds more watts, but realistically, in the long term a waste of time in my opinion.
I installed two 65 watt panels, one on each side of my escape hatch. I can stand on my bed, reach through the hatch and clean the panels. Why two 65 watt and not one 130-watt? I can loose (shade or physical damage) one panel, and still have 60-watts. I did pay $40 more for two panels. Neither panel is perfectly horizontal, and with experimenting with leveling the panels, I can see no noticeable difference. In theory horizontal would be best.
I have one 100 AH AGM battery. I have no parasitic loads. I lived in my TC for four nights per week, for five years with no hookups. I started my generator about four or five times per year to charge the battery. That was with several days without sun. I ran my lights, TV and laptop, for about 4 to 6 hours per day.
I have a Wave3 and all LED lighting. I use my furnace only for backup or quick heat. I have had my system for about seven or eight years, and I have no need for a second battery or additional solar. I have space on my TC for at least an additional 260-watts. I have space for an additional 100 AH battery. I do live in California, lots of sun.
I think Quartzsite AZ or a RV specialized solar distributor would be my last choice to buy solar for my TC. It is kind of like buying a T-shirt at a tourist shop. If you have no mechanical skills, no time, no interest, lots of money, then Quartzsite AZ or a RV specialized solar distributor is a good choice.
Wayne
Do not waste money on tilt mounting. It will be great the first few times out. You climb out on the roof, drawing a crowd to impress them with your solar. The will not be impressed, when it is raining while you are outside lowering them. They will have a good laugh when you drive off having forgot to lower the panels. If your mounts are really strong, you may not only destroy your panel/s, but rip your roof apart also. Mine tilt, but only when I am experimenting with them. Technically, tilting adds more watts, but realistically, in the long term a waste of time in my opinion.
I installed two 65 watt panels, one on each side of my escape hatch. I can stand on my bed, reach through the hatch and clean the panels. Why two 65 watt and not one 130-watt? I can loose (shade or physical damage) one panel, and still have 60-watts. I did pay $40 more for two panels. Neither panel is perfectly horizontal, and with experimenting with leveling the panels, I can see no noticeable difference. In theory horizontal would be best.
I have one 100 AH AGM battery. I have no parasitic loads. I lived in my TC for four nights per week, for five years with no hookups. I started my generator about four or five times per year to charge the battery. That was with several days without sun. I ran my lights, TV and laptop, for about 4 to 6 hours per day.
I have a Wave3 and all LED lighting. I use my furnace only for backup or quick heat. I have had my system for about seven or eight years, and I have no need for a second battery or additional solar. I have space on my TC for at least an additional 260-watts. I have space for an additional 100 AH battery. I do live in California, lots of sun.
I think Quartzsite AZ or a RV specialized solar distributor would be my last choice to buy solar for my TC. It is kind of like buying a T-shirt at a tourist shop. If you have no mechanical skills, no time, no interest, lots of money, then Quartzsite AZ or a RV specialized solar distributor is a good choice.
Wayne
