Solar panels

[4x4ord]

I realize that if I did a search I'd find lots of info on solar panels but this is easier.
What do you guys think of a system like this for a guy like me?

We presently have 4 golf cart batteries, a Honda EU2000 and a Xantrex Freedom 2000 watt inverter charger. We often camp where power is not available .... It hasn't been a big deal to get buy with what we have as we are not big power consumers. If we run the generator for 4 hours in the middle of the week we can usually last a week without solar. We have almost never had a need for AC but on the rare occasion that AC is needed the EU2000 gets us by so long as we shut off the fridge and battery charging.

[Old_Days]

I put a lot of Dicor under the bracket and of course on top. We spend time in Wyoming and Montana and the cross winds are terrible, so I really try and make sure the panels are secured.

[Lwiddis]

“The trick is try to find a roof truss if you can.” Not necessarily, Old Days. If the roof is walkable, finding trusses isn’t needed IMO.

“If you have a nice solid roof, the 3M double sided tape,..” You advocate this on a rubber roof, Ed? Aren’t most TTs and 5ers rubber roofed?

[Ed_Gee]

If you have a nice solid roof, the 3M double sided tape, when properly installed, will secure your solar panel mount brackets nicely.

[Old_Days]

I have used 3 M double sided tape and one screw on my old camper, but today I installed my panel with a lot of Dicor non self leveling and 2 screws per bracket. The trick is try to find a roof truss if you can.

[4x4ord]

Thank you all for your help. I ordered a package with an upgraded 40A MPPT controller and 4 x 100 watt panels. Next question is what is the best way of mounting to be sure I don't get any leaks.

[time2roll]

Looks good. Included controller can handle 1 or 2 more panels if needed to expand.

[Old_Days]

I sold my TC and now own a trailer. Just got done putting a 170 watt panel on today and ordered another 100 watts. Just make sure you measure where you want to install the panel. For us 270 watts of solar works great but we also camp at 8500 elevation.

[Lwiddis]

Shouldn’t go over 5.5 feet with 400 solar watts (22 amps or so) using 10 gauge wire, wandering. That’s what comes in that kit.

[naturist]

If you use that little electricity, you can probably get by with 200 watts of panels. To be sure, 200 watts is not enough to fully recharge those batteries from the 50% charge maximum draw down state in a single day. But they might cover your needs.

I believe the Honda you have produces 1800 watts continuously, and assuming all of that goes into your batteries (possible, not likely, but let's go with that), 4 hours would give you 600 Amp Hours per week. 200 watts of solar will likely yield around 450 Amp Hours each week. If indeed, all that generator capacity went into the batteries, you would be short. But there are losses in running the inverter/charger that you won't see on solar, plus, the generator probably isn't running at full load.

The 30 amp charge controller in that kit can probably cover up to 400 watts of panels, so you might have to plug in an extra 100 watts.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

200 watts is a start--but not enough for serious boondocking. If you move to 600 watts the system may cost about $800, but will eliminate generator use except for running the roof air conditioner.

https://sunelec.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwpLfzBRCRARIsAHuj6qVN3tC5wAHYgXgPhVFcGnfM69IGn2oYUuzJ-BUAx2r6swznX...

[wanderingaimles]

Thats what I was planning on for the next trailer. 30 amp control so you can add 2 more panels if you wish later.
Same kit on Amazon. Renogy kit $275

[Lwiddis]

“If we run the generator for 4 hours in the middle of the week we can usually last a week...”
Which takes a toll on your batteries’ lifespan. Fully recharge daily is the best maintenance.

The starting point for necessary solar watts is one per battery amp hour. Four GC batteries would be more than 400 AHs. Two hundred solar watts is very inadequate IMO. The controller offered is a PWM. I’m a fan of MPPT controllers for efficiency. And the 10 gauge wire doesn’t impress me for the system you’ll need. Too much line loss. What will be your wire distances?