Solar vs generator
Have a new 25 ft. Rockwood Mini-Lite TT with 2 batteries. We dry camp and want to know is solar panels worth a try? Unit is set up for solar but concerned that it will take a lot of time to bring batt...
Forum Discussion
Want to be generator free? Design the battery bank to allow for 3 days with zero sun while staying above 50% state of charge. I managed for 5 years with only 256 watts of solar--because I was not full time, so the battery bank (875 amp-hours, or about 10,000 watt-hours) would recharge between trips. I did tend to be a rolling stone, in my class c, so there was significant recharging from the engine alternator.
To be full time and generator independent is a bit harder. If you are in a self propelled unit, the motor can act as a last ditch emergency recharging system. A 10,000 watt-hour battery bank (probably LI based because of weight) with a nominal 48 volt output would be a good place to start. Marry that to 1600 watts of solar and the system is done. For non motorized, a small generator for emergency charging would be prudent.
Where I live, LI is a non starter because of -40 temperatures.
Outback or Firefly batteries would be much better for my location.
To be full time and generator independent is a bit harder. If you are in a self propelled unit, the motor can act as a last ditch emergency recharging system. A 10,000 watt-hour battery bank (probably LI based because of weight) with a nominal 48 volt output would be a good place to start. Marry that to 1600 watts of solar and the system is done. For non motorized, a small generator for emergency charging would be prudent.
Where I live, LI is a non starter because of -40 temperatures.
Outback or Firefly batteries would be much better for my location.
