Please help with solar and electrical questions...
Hello, first of all let me say a big thank you for reading my questions, I am new to RV'ing and im trying to pick things up quickly. My wife and I just put a downpayment on a brand new 2022 Forest River Salem FSX 177bh, we should take delivery of it in February or March of 2022. If I had to guess I could see my family using this trailer to do 70% plug in camping with full services and 30% off the grid boondocking. I do want the ability to use the trailer at National and Provincial parks (oh yeah im Canadian) where there likely wont be any water or electricity.
My dilemma is in regards to the fridge choices and solar packages that are available for this trailer. This Salem FSX comes with a new large ever-chill 11 cu ft 12v refrigerator standard. There is an option to go with a smaller 8 cu ft 3-way electric/propane fridge. With this option I would only have one group 24 battery that the trailer came with. I could also add another group 24 battery for a total of two but I would have no way of charging them once at campground. I do know the differences between these two fridges, I have been doing a bit of research.
My other option is to add the $850 solar package from the factory which includes a "Roof mounted 190 watt solar panel, 30 amp controller and battery". So am assuming this adds a second group 24 battery for a total of two after the one the trailer comes with. So I would have two group 24 batteries in my bank and the solar system to charge them. The dealer also recommended upgrading the two batteries to group 27 batteries at a cost of $280.
After reading a little bit it sounds like these new 12v refrigerators are pretty efficient and dont draw too much. I want the ability to go off grid for 48-72 hours and run the fridge as well as lights, stereo and charge devices. I understand this is dependant on sunshine and our usage but do you think its possible? the ad on ever-chills website said the fridge is sustainable with a 200 watt solar pannel and two batteries.
What would you guys recommend for my needs? I am kind of hoping that we can get by with the larger 12v fridge, solar package and two batteries in my bank. Thanks in advance for your time!!!
My dilemma is in regards to the fridge choices and solar packages that are available for this trailer. This Salem FSX comes with a new large ever-chill 11 cu ft 12v refrigerator standard. There is an option to go with a smaller 8 cu ft 3-way electric/propane fridge. With this option I would only have one group 24 battery that the trailer came with. I could also add another group 24 battery for a total of two but I would have no way of charging them once at campground. I do know the differences between these two fridges, I have been doing a bit of research.
My other option is to add the $850 solar package from the factory which includes a "Roof mounted 190 watt solar panel, 30 amp controller and battery". So am assuming this adds a second group 24 battery for a total of two after the one the trailer comes with. So I would have two group 24 batteries in my bank and the solar system to charge them. The dealer also recommended upgrading the two batteries to group 27 batteries at a cost of $280.
After reading a little bit it sounds like these new 12v refrigerators are pretty efficient and dont draw too much. I want the ability to go off grid for 48-72 hours and run the fridge as well as lights, stereo and charge devices. I understand this is dependant on sunshine and our usage but do you think its possible? the ad on ever-chills website said the fridge is sustainable with a 200 watt solar pannel and two batteries.
What would you guys recommend for my needs? I am kind of hoping that we can get by with the larger 12v fridge, solar package and two batteries in my bank. Thanks in advance for your time!!!
