I'm sure I'm underpowered compared to the rest of you at only 2 Group 24 12V batteries. I can't fit larger batteries, but I don't really seem to need them. I'm thinking about adding solar, but I generally only need a bit of generator power or driving to top my batteries off. I don't think that I'm that unusual with the advent of running LED lights.So, back to the question, why do you have 6Vs and what do you use that uses that much 12V power or if you have both 6Vs and solar, so what do you do with all of that power?

Spend more time off the grid. The extra amp hours available with the 6V allows living off the grid without having to drive, plug in or run a genset to bring them back up. My previous battery setup was like yours, but as we spend more time stationary boondocking, the less that setup worked. Everyone's power needs are different so nothing wrong with your setup if it works for you.

jimh425 wrote:but I generally only need a bit of generator power .....That there is why solar for me. I have not plugged in the charger or even hooked the charge cable up to the truck since putting the solar on top. Silent, reliable, and near zero maintenance.

I installed solar to avoid running my generator. I would use a inverter to run my direct TV system and 19" TV all that I wanted to, and could use 130 AH of battery power nightly. My 400 watt solar would make up that much power in 8 hours of sun.It also shades my roof.And your RV will consume 35 AH of power just to run the CO meter, propane leak detector and refrigerator for 1 day, about what 1 of the 120 watt solar panels will make in 1 day.So lights are only a fraction of the power consumed each day by the RV. In my case, the TV set used a lot of power. But for some, the satellite and wi-fi system will consume more power. Some use a internet connection for business while living in the RV full time. Some just enjoy playing on the computer, and use a small inverter and laptop.My favorite place for solar panels is this one. SunElec.comHave fun camping!Fred.

I can run the microwave for short periods without firing up the generator. Or simply stay put in a remote campsite for much longer without noise.For someone that simply moves from one full hook-up campground to another or drives some distance every day or so there is no real advantage to solar and larger batteries.

jimh425 wrote:I'm sure I'm underpowered compared to the rest of you at only 2 Group 24 12V batteries. I can't fit larger batteries, but I don't really seem to need them. I'm thinking about adding solar, but I generally only need a bit of generator power or driving to top my batteries off. I don't think that I'm that unusual with the advent of running LED lights.So, back to the question, why do you have 6Vs and what do you use that uses that much 12V power or if you have both 6Vs and solar, so what do you do with all of that power?You have about 50 - 85 usable amp hours of battery power with your set-up. So if you dry camp for 3 days, the battery will be depleted by 50% or a little more even if you never turn on the furnace, light, or TV. Just the CO meter, propane detector and refrigerator can consume 100 AH in 3 days.With a solar panel - say 120 - 140 watts, you will not need to upgrade to heavier batteries, as you can replace all the energy that you would consume in one day in just 5-6 hours of full sun. So you will not need to carry a pair of golf cart batteries at 67 pounds each. The pair of 35 pound batteries is plenty for your needs, if you can recharge them daily with a solar panel.Get a 120 - 140 watt panel - they can be bought for only about $229 now. SunElec.com Look for a 12 volt panel with a frame, so you can attach it to your roof.Then buy a PWM controller for about $15 at this website. Wait about 3 weeks for it to arrive, but you will save $50 in the cost by waiting.AliExpress.com Search for 20 amp PWM solar controller. Then search by lowest price first, and free shipping. There are many vendors out there, with $10 - $15 controllers.Easy and silent, and you will not need to carry around a 100 pound generator either.Fred.

Now that many of us have LED lights ... why 6Vs and solar?

23 Replies

Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Jun 17, 2016
I installed solar to avoid running my generator. I would use a inverter to run my direct TV system and 19" TV all that I wanted to, and could use 130 AH of battery power nightly.

My 400 watt solar would make up that much power in 8 hours of sun.

It also shades my roof.

And your RV will consume 35 AH of power just to run the CO meter, propane leak detector and refrigerator for 1 day, about what 1 of the 120 watt solar panels will make in 1 day.

So lights are only a fraction of the power consumed each day by the RV. In my case, the TV set used a lot of power. But for some, the satellite and wi-fi system will consume more power. Some use a internet connection for business while living in the RV full time. Some just enjoy playing on the computer, and use a small inverter and laptop.

My favorite place for solar panels is this one. SunElec.com

Have fun camping!

Fred.
HMS_Beagle
Explorer
Jun 17, 2016
jimh425 wrote:
but I generally only need a bit of generator power .....

That there is why solar for me. I have not plugged in the charger or even hooked the charge cable up to the truck since putting the solar on top. Silent, reliable, and near zero maintenance.
CAJW
Explorer
Jun 17, 2016
Spend more time off the grid. The extra amp hours available with the 6V allows living off the grid without having to drive, plug in or run a genset to bring them back up. My previous battery setup was like yours, but as we spend more time stationary boondocking, the less that setup worked. Everyone's power needs are different so nothing wrong with your setup if it works for you.

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Now that many of us have LED lights ... why 6Vs and solar?

23 Replies

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