OK... full-timers ! question about solar !

[AlwaysTravelin]

I would really like to know..... if anyone is full timing and using ONLY solar. i realize that it takes alot of batteries and alot of solar panals and you have to have the right vehicle to accommodate all that. i have been looking at expedition vehicles that are built for
this kind of thing.

i was just wondering if there was anyone here that was on total solar.

thanks

[Ropdoc]

smkettner wrote:
How much solar did you get?

We purchased the Go power 480 watt system. It is demonstrated by "The Wynns". I am checking out the batteries you recommended. I think I need 4. I just needd to build rack to set them in. Is there a rack you can buy and mod to fit your rig. Or is it build your own only?

[time2roll]

Ropdoc wrote:
I am looking to buy these for the solar, 6 of them. Is it a bod idea ?? I apologize if this is not a proper question for this forum. Just just need advice from a group I can trust with this purchase.

http://www.amazon.com/DEEPCYCLE-SOLAR-ENERGY-STORAGE-BATTERY/dp/B008D5YG3G/ref=pd_sim_sbs_86_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=1DGVQAP6AERS1WMVH2QR&dpSrc=sims&dpST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_#customerReviews

Thank you,
Dave

How much solar did you get?

Two or four golf batteries from Sam's Club would probably work better.

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/energizer-6-volt-premium-golf-cart-battery-group-size-gc2

[EsoxLucius]

A couple of GC-2 batteries in series would do.

[pianotuna]

Hi Dave,

35 amp-hours is too small. You want large capacity batteries in the 100 amp-hour and up range.

[Ropdoc]

I am looking to buy these for the solar, 6 of them. Is it a bod idea ?? I apologize if this is not a proper question for this forum. Just just need advice from a group I can trust with this purchase.

http://www.amazon.com/DEEPCYCLE-SOLAR-ENERGY-STORAGE-BATTERY/dp/B008D5YG3G/ref=pd_sim_sbs_86_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=1DGVQAP6AERS1WMVH2QR&dpSrc=sims&dpST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_#customerReviews

Thank you,
Dave

[JiminDenver]

We don't full time yet but I'm setting up for at least snowbirding. We have 750w that will be mounted and 675 Ah of battery and we are pigs with the power. lol

On good days the system will run a small air conditioner while the batteries are in float. We boondock for up to two weeks at a time high in the Rockies so the need for A/C is limited. The rest of the time we use up to 200 Ah a day cooking and watching Tv and such. The power lets us use the trailer more like a cabin.

Most of the time it is cloudy by mid day so the system can deal with short sun hours and even cloudy weather where it can pull down up to 25 Ah at mid day. That and the bank will cover us for quite a cloudy spell. Even longer if we cut back on some of the big loads. I'd rather have the furnace running than the coffee maker.

[pianotuna]

Six volt are not inherently better than 12 volt. Any reasonable voltage can be made to work well. Common values are 2, 6, and 12 volt.

It depends on your use. If you plan to use a large inverter then 12, 24, or 48 volt systems may have an edge.

Care in understanding how to do balanced wiring for 12 volt jars is important. Because most folks are not aware of that, lots of systems based on 12 volt batteries fail prematurely.

Folks rarely fully charge their battery banks, or else the opposite happens and they get overcharged.

Find out your needs and design the system to fit it. In my case that meant migrating to AGM 12 volt batteries.

Many RV's have far too few amp-hours of battery bank. That leads to deep discharges that even golf cart batteries, in spite of their reputation for tolerating abuse, can not survive.

[EsoxLucius]

Check out Battery Systems in your area.
http://www.batterysystems.net/locations/index.php

[Ropdoc]

EsoxLucius wrote:
I haven't seen any RV solar kit include the batteries. And where are you sourcing batteries? $400 seems steep for all but some of the largest AGM batteries.

The dealer was quoting the price. I know I know, dealer pricing. Thank you for the links.

[EsoxLucius]

Two six volt batteries wired in series are essentially a twelve volt battery. RV electrical systems include 12 volt capacity.
Please read:
http://www.marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htm
http://www.marxrv.com/12volt/12volta.htm
http://www.jackdanmayer.com/rv_electrical_and_solar.htm

I haven't seen any RV solar kit include the batteries. And where are you sourcing batteries? $400 seems steep for all but some of the largest AGM batteries.

[Ropdoc]

Ok all we bit the bullet and purchased the solar system. I just did not ask enough questions. We got the "Go Power" system promoted by the Wynn's. I thought it came with batteries. Lucky I had 2 12 volts already because the system is minus batteries. So outside the LARGE investment now is batteries. But why is it 6 volt are better that 12?

When I was a kid my truck was 6 volt and my momos VW bug was 6 and my dad upgraded them to 12 because it was stronger. So ... why not the same here? And the price of batteries is outragiuos. $400 EACH !! But how many should we have for a good running system?

I still have 1 chiuld left to sell so that may cover the new battery cost. (just kidding of course)

Thank you.

[N8GS]

westend wrote:
The first thing to nail down is how much power you typically use in a day. Here's a downloadable spreadsheet calculator for that purpose: Quartzfest calculator.

With the numbers derived for your power use, you can then figure how many solar modules you'll need and how much battery capacity to have. Things that will influence that are location, roof real estate, shade issues, and budget.

Everyone's needs are different and there isn't one solar solution that works for everyone. FWIW, I have a trailer with 0 parasitic loads, no circuit boards or alarms to feed. All lights are LED's. No furnace fan. My solar system basically powers a small residential fridge, entertainment devices, a water pump, and two or three small fans. I power that with a single 235W module, a 1000W PSW inverter, and 300 amp hours of batteries. I don't use hair dryers, toasters, electric coffee makers, or other high-watt devices. I'm waiting on a Forum member that is installing a slightly bigger system and is trying to run a 5K BTU AC window shaker. If he's successful, I may upgrade my system to accomplish the same.

Good luck with your solar planning. Solar is a great way to camp/live off the grid.

HI I an the author of that spreadsheet. There is an updated version of it available at the ham radio site W8USA.org. Here is the link Link
then click on "Solar and Battery Sizing". If you have any problems or questions send me a PM. Gale

[EsoxLucius]

I have up to 220 AH per day to use and replenish. The longest I have gone off grid/generator is seven days and I was at 100% SOC by noon on the seventh so I could have kept going. (Limiting factor is fresh water and waste storage.) The key is evaluating your usage and production, and adjusting your usage, in often changing conditions.

[westend]

The first thing to nail down is how much power you typically use in a day. Here's a downloadable spreadsheet calculator for that purpose: Quartzfest calculator.

With the numbers derived for your power use, you can then figure how many solar modules you'll need and how much battery capacity to have. Things that will influence that are location, roof real estate, shade issues, and budget.

Everyone's needs are different and there isn't one solar solution that works for everyone. FWIW, I have a trailer with 0 parasitic loads, no circuit boards or alarms to feed. All lights are LED's. No furnace fan. My solar system basically powers a small residential fridge, entertainment devices, a water pump, and two or three small fans. I power that with a single 235W module, a 1000W PSW inverter, and 300 amp hours of batteries. I don't use hair dryers, toasters, electric coffee makers, or other high-watt devices. I'm waiting on a Forum member that is installing a slightly bigger system and is trying to run a 5K BTU AC window shaker. If he's successful, I may upgrade my system to accomplish the same.

Good luck with your solar planning. Solar is a great way to camp/live off the grid.