Solar system advise needed

[wademartin]

I want to install a solar system in my 28 foot Gulfstream Innsbruck 5th wheel camper. I will be operating the furnace, hot water heater, stove and refrigerator on LP gas. I need to install an inverter to keep batteries charged and to operate a TV, satellite receiver, radio, and computer. Suggestions on what size solar panels , roof mounted or portable, what size inverter, and battery bank will be appreciated.
Thanks

[roy67ss]

Thanks, I have been using that method for many years when dealing with 2 or more batteries.

[pianotuna]

roy67ss wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
Hi Roy,

Is the battery bank wired in a balanced manner? Please clarify.

This is what is balanced and best for twin twelve volt batteries.



As it often doesn't cost a dime more to do this, I think it is worth the trouble.

If you wish to understand the "why" surf here:

correctly interconnecting multiple twelve volt batteries

Others may say it doesn't matter--but unless there is a compelling reason to not optimize charging and discharging why not do it the best possible way?

Here is a video of 3 twelve volt batteries that have been wired in an unbalanced manner for 2 years. They have been equalized. The test shows how CCA has been adversely affected.

unbalanced for 2 years

[roy67ss]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi Roy,

Do you really mean 3000 watts (or is it 300 watt)? Yes, 3000 watts

Do you really mean Gel cells, or do you mean AGM. No, I meant AGM.

Gel are unsuitable for a 3000 watt inverter, running flat out, and could be permanently damaged by a 300 amp load.

AGM would tolerate the load (but probably not like it).

The entertainment center would be happier with a pure sine wave inverter, but since you have it, you could try it.

Is the battery bank wired in a balanced manner? Please clarify.

roy67ss wrote:
This will be a DIY install. Looks like I will go 12v.

I should probably elaborate a little. I have a cheapo 3000watt inverter ( Can.Tire ) PD9260 convertor, 2 - 12v 110ah gel cell batteries and intend to run only the entertainment center with the inverter. The 110v units are the TV and the sat receiver but would also be recharging the 2 laptops from there. I am good with the rest of the house running on 12v and propane.

Every 12v light in my unit is led.

[RickSo]

Great advice as usual above. The best thing to do is figure out your needs and your budget. A few years ago with help from many here on the forum I was never sure how much power I needed so, went with more batteries and more panels than I needed. I have not regretted it a bit. Except for Las Vegas last summer have not used the generator at all. Also, switched to LED lights which reduced the power consumption considerably from the 22 40 watt halogens.

[N8GS]

Having camped at Quartzsite in the LaPosa S LTVA I'll tell you what worked for me and how well it worked. The basics are listed in my sig. What that doesn't tell you is that have all LED lights, my laptop computer, wireless printer and TV are on for several hours a day. Results-- I use on average 95 Ah per day, that is about 16% of my battery capacity. Sooo... I can go 4 days before the inverter complains if I try to use the microwave.

The downside of solar is you need lots of sun (Q has that) and you have to haul several hundred pounds of batteries around, and have a place to put them.

As Don said check out my Solar Spreadsheet. An updated version can be found at WWW.W8USA.org it is at the bottom of the links page. This is a ham radio web site.

[pianotuna]

Hi Roy,

Do you really mean 3000 watts (or is it 300 watt)?

Do you really mean Gel cells, or do you mean AGM.

Gel are unsuitable for a 3000 watt inverter, running flat out, and could be permanently damaged by a 300 amp load.

AGM would tolerate the load (but probably not like it).

The entertainment center would be happier with a pure sine wave inverter, but since you have it, you could try it.

Is the battery bank wired in a balanced manner?

roy67ss wrote:
This will be a DIY install. Looks like I will go 12v.

I should probably elaborate a little. I have a cheapo 3000watt inverter ( Can.Tire ) PD9260 convertor, 2 - 12v 110ah gel cell batteries and intend to run only the entertainment center with the inverter. The 110v units are the TV and the sat receiver but would also be recharging the 2 laptops from there. I am good with the rest of the house running on 12v and propane.

[roy67ss]

This will be a DIY install. Looks like I will go 12v.

I should probably elaborate a little. I have a cheapo 3000watt inverter ( Can.Tire ) PD9260 convertor, 2 - 12v 110ah gel cell batteries and intend to run only the entertainment center with the inverter. The 110v units are the TV and the sat receiver but would also be recharging the 2 laptops from there. I am good with the rest of the house running on 12v and propane.

[christopherglen]

24 volt and higher panels are under a buck a watt, but need either a 24 volt battery pack, or a mmpt controller.

[pianotuna]

Hi roy67ss,

24 volt requires an MPPT controller and they are a LOT more expensive.

Are you going to DIY?

[roy67ss]

I'm in Quartzsite now and will be in Az until April.
If the price is right, I would like to do about 300 watts. From all the posts I've read, that would seem to be enough. Now 12v or 24v?

[RickSo]

Check out this shipping from Canada. With the dollar 22% weaker than the USA dollar its going to get more expensive.

[roy67ss]

Thanks, I'll check them out. Most links don't result in prices like this!

[time2roll]

Canada might be tough.

120w $136

Peak at the 24 volt panels for 65 cents per watt.

[roy67ss]

"Now you can buy a 100 watt for about $100 or so."

Most every site I go to has nothing anywhere near $1/watt. Where are you guys finding these?