โSep-23-2017 07:37 AM
โSep-26-2017 04:53 AM
Range Maggot Bob wrote:
What I was asking for was opinions on whether or not it was worth looking into solar power for charging as opposed to running my generator when I'm camping in dispersed areas where there is no one else around.
โSep-25-2017 05:55 PM
Lwiddis wrote:
Let's total up, Range. Haul out generator - 45 to 50 pounds - from storage in TV, check gasoline and oil, fill if necessary, pull out electrical cable, start generator, plug in cable, run for at least one hour usually at cocktail time for me, ignore stares of neighbors who haven't gone inside their RV, unplug generator, turn off generator, let generator cool for 15 to 20 minutes and restore generator to storage location in TV.
Versus solar. Oh look it's 6:14 p.m. Been charging all day. Batteries full by noon, 1 pm. Just shut down, getting dark. No noise, no gas and oil, no trouble, no unhappy neighbors. And all cell phones, tablets and other rechargeable batteries including air pump for tires are full...recharged during the day.
โSep-25-2017 05:48 PM
Padlin wrote:
I take it you are running the fridge on propane as opposed to 12 volts and have a single 12 volt group 24 battery. If so and you can go 5 days before the battery is dead you are using somewhere between 10 and 20 amps a day, depending on what dead means to you. About the same as me.
If it were me I'd add a 2nd battery and go with a 160 watt panel on the roof permanently installed and a 30 amp controller permanently installed. Which is what I have.
You could get away with 120-160 watt portable suitcase that has the controller on the back, but I'd still consider a 2nd battery. Directly connect the panel to the battery/s via the clamps. Roughly 30 foot of cable. The 160 suitcase my brother is bulky and heavy, so much so he doesn't want to lug it around, something like 40 lbs. Just something to be aware of when you're shopping.
Keeping the controller close to the batteries is more efficient, which is why you may want to at least look into having a permanently mounted controller.
โSep-25-2017 05:35 PM
KD4UPL wrote:2oldman wrote:Range Maggot Bob wrote:If you'd like to run the generator less, yes.
Should I be looking into solar?
If you camp near me please do. There's nothing I hate more when trying to enjoy some peace and quiet than a loud generator running for hours on end just to do what my 100 watt solar panel does silently and with no gas.
โSep-24-2017 06:48 AM
Bob Vaughn wrote:I've been around some of those.
I have a generator for the rv but if we camped next to a cemetery we would have the dead people complaining about the noise....
โSep-24-2017 06:25 AM
2oldman wrote:Range Maggot Bob wrote:If you'd like to run the generator less, yes.
Should I be looking into solar?
โSep-23-2017 09:16 PM
โSep-23-2017 06:18 PM
โSep-23-2017 04:49 PM
โSep-23-2017 04:42 PM
Range Maggot Bob wrote:If you'd like to run the generator less, yes.
Should I be looking into solar?
โSep-23-2017 04:27 PM
โSep-23-2017 01:32 PM
โSep-23-2017 12:56 PM
โSep-23-2017 08:54 AM
Bob Vaughn wrote:
I do not have a residential refrigerator. That being said, when I disconnect my rv from the power grid within a week or so my batteries will be dead. I am thinking of getting a solar panel with battery clips to just keep the battery charged. I found a small portable panel and the reviewers comments make me want to get one.. I just wonder what the minimum requirements are that I would need should I decide to boon dock for a while just to keep the batteries charged....No controller or inverter involved....