Just purchased a new 5er. Moved up from a TT. However we do quite a bit of dry camping. In our previous trailer we could get by for 2 weeks (longest we would be out) with the 2 -12V batteries by running the Honda 3000 a couple hours a day or even missing a day of charging every once in a while using incandescent lights, parasitic draw and furnace fan.I'd like to minimize the useage of the gen by doing a portable solar setup. I don't wish to mount them to the roof. We don't use a whole lot of power and if needed will run the gen. Will definitely use it for the MW when we use that.I converted all the interior lights to LED and am planning on putting in 2 6Vs from Costco. We aren't in the trailer much at all during the day. It's only a light or two in the evening for a few hours (if we're not at the campfire), the parasitic draw for the propane fridge, detectors etc, furnace fan once in a while (set at 60 at night) and would like to get an inverter for the TV so they kids can watch a movie or something every 2nd or 3rd day or so.Have looked at the 160W kit at solar blvd, but as with other things one can probably piece together something better for around the same price.Any suggestions on deals on panels, controller etc to get a good 2-300 watt setup?

I purchased two 100W panels from Costco. And got a controller from Amazon. We have a very similar set up to you, and about the same usage. It works well for us.

To me, a lot of your choice is going to revolve around how you want to move and store the panels. A 100W panel is 26" x 44". For me, moving anything bigger would be tiresome. If you can make some type of exterior mount that doubles as the transport holder like some have done on here, then panel size isn't such an issue.If you're close to SolarBlvd, they seem to have good prices and sell pretty good modules. I'm a happy customer. The kit with free shipping and the included controllers with wire is a good value. I'd probably choose a better, name brand controller and pay the extra for wire, if I was doing the small system.FWIW, I went with a single 235W panel and MPPT controller, mostly to be able to have easy future expansion that fit my roof real estate.

Do not understand why you do not want to permnently mount the panels? But trying to move, store and setup panels without breaking them is going to be difficult at best. Permanent mount isyour best solution and not difficult to do.

We used a portable set up last year and will until I get my system mounted. Even after I mount them I may keep a portable for the flexibility. The ability to collect the early morning sun was big when we had clouds by noon daily.

I added (2) 135 watt panels to the roof of our fifth wheel.I used tiltable mounts for the panels but have not used that feature yet.The panels are about 24 x 56 in size so do take up some real estate on the roof.I ran the wires from the panels down through the refer stack to the converter charger.Installed a charge controller inside the rig.I made a custom vented battery box for (4) group 24 batteries.We don't do much dry camping but I wanted that option if the situation arose.Well worth the investment.

New 5er Looking for cmpnt sugg to make 2-300W porta solar

rrwantr
Explorer
Apr 29, 2014
westend wrote:
rrwantr wrote:
Thoseare the same panels as the link I put which included wire, controller (not the best and monitor as well as free shipping.

Or maybe this lot for 393 shipped.

http://www.eco-worthy.com/catalog/mppt-series-complete-200w2100w-grid-systems-with-mppt-controller-p-325.html
Yup, I know the panels are the same. Solar Blvd sells them for less than your E Bay kit but doesn't have the controller or wire. I just think there are better options than the Phocos controller. There is not much that can go wrong with a working panel but there is a wide range of what can be wrong with a controller.

Gotcha. I just thought that with the price of shipping thrown in on just the panels, that it would be just as much as the kit I listed with free shipping and would be able to try out the controller etc for basically "free".
westend
Explorer
Apr 29, 2014
rrwantr wrote:
Thoseare the same panels as the link I put which included wire, controller (not the best and monitor as well as free shipping.

Or maybe this lot for 393 shipped.

http://www.eco-worthy.com/catalog/mppt-series-complete-200w2100w-grid-systems-with-mppt-controller-p-325.html
Yup, I know the panels are the same. Solar Blvd sells them for less than your E Bay kit but doesn't have the controller or wire. I just think there are better options than the Phocos controller. There is not much that can go wrong with a working panel but there is a wide range of what can be wrong with a controller.
JiminDenver
Explorer II
Apr 29, 2014
I would save the money and run the panels in parallel with a PWM controller. You could get a extra panel with the difference and that would be more power than the MPPT boost would give you.
rrwantr
Explorer
Apr 29, 2014
Thoseare the same panels as the link I put which included wire, controller (not the best and monitor as well as free shipping.

Or maybe this lot for 393 shipped.

http://www.eco-worthy.com/catalog/mppt-series-complete-200w2100w-grid-systems-with-mppt-controller-p-325.html
westend
Explorer
Apr 29, 2014
I'd get this Solar Blvd item and a better controller with a roll of MC4 wire. They used to offer free shipping with some of their kits, you could check.
rrwantr
Explorer
Apr 28, 2014
How about this kit? I would add hinges etc to make a stand for portability.
Seems like a decent price for the components.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Complete-Kit-200-W-Watt-200W-200Watts-Photovoltaic-PV-Solar-Panel-12V-RV-Boat-/271210405169?&_trksid=p2054897.l5664&quantity=1#ht_2700wt_684&autorefresh=true
JiminDenver
Explorer II
Apr 27, 2014
What we have used as a portable is a 230w 24v panel 39"x65" weighing 50#. It is stored on the bed, in a walkway or on the truck. If we were travelers where we would stop for a night, the first two would be a hassle. As it is we only have to unload it once a trip.

The kits are easy and functional but figuring out your needs and learning enough to put together a simple set up will better serve you in the end.
doughere
Explorer
Apr 26, 2014
I have 2 60 watt panels flat mounted on the roof, and a 100 watt panel that is portable. All panels from solar blvd (very happy with them, even with shipping a great value). I have 2 6 Volt GC's. The roof mounted panels are fed to a $15 e-bay PWM controller. They will supply all we need if they get a good look at the sun. The portable panel is used when located in the trees, and need to put panel out in the sun somewhere. When used, I simply tie it into the battery, and let it go; monitoring the voltage occasionally.

My only problem with the kits with a mounted controller is they need to be very close to the battery, or the voltage drop is going to keep them from charging correctly. I can set up my panels over 100 feet from the trailer, and get a decent charge from the panels.

Regards,
Doug
donn0128
Explorer II
Apr 24, 2014
250W total feeding 4 golf cart batteries. Each panel is about 3X5 feet. Quite honestly I would have a real hard time trying to find room to store them if they were not on the roof.
goducks10
Explorer
Apr 24, 2014
donn0128 wrote:
I do understand. Mine are mounted on the roof. And while maybe not ideal, they provide sufficient power to keep my battery bank charged well enough to survive for 4-5 days between generator charges. And we are not known for being frugal with electricity.

How big are your panels.

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