160-watt solar battery charger? Opinions?

[Old_Plank_Road]

Good day all,
Looking at a used Coach House 271XL on the E-450 chassis. It has two 6-volt house batteries, 1,000 watt inverter, 4.0kw Onan. I can add a 160-watt solar battery charger as a factory installed option.
I've read most posts concerning solar, seems like a no brainer to add.
Any opinions as to the solar and it's use in keeping batteries topped instead of simply using the generator?

Big step for a humble truck camper fellow.

Dry Creek

[Almot]

He's probably gone now. Only wanted to know whether 160W could keep batteries topped up. With what loads, for how many days - hey, who knows....

Without knowing what, where and how long, there is no way to tell whether 160W could. It's better to err on the higher side.

Magicbus - I would think that Class C has a little more room than 160W. Even if it's just 80-100W more. Everything helps a little.

I think they still install those tiny 50W panels on big rigs, glued on top of A/C cover. It would only maintain batteries in storage, but you can tell prospective customers that RV comes with a solar option 🙂

[BFL13]

It is all scenario dependent. A seasonal off grid guy we know does just fine with his single 160. He uses his trailer as a summer cottage staying for a few days, goes home for a few days. He runs his batts down while there more than solar can replace; then while home, the solar gets the battery bank caught up.

Wouldn't work in the winter, but that is not his scenario.

[Bill_Satellite]

Old Plank Road wrote:
Good day all,
Looking at a used Coach House 271XL on the E-450 chassis. It has two 6-volt house batteries, 1,000 watt inverter, 4.0kw Onan. I can add a 160-watt solar battery charger as a factory installed option.
I've read most posts concerning solar, seems like a no brainer to add.
Any opinions as to the solar and it's use in keeping batteries topped instead of simply using the generator?

Big step for a humble truck camper fellow.

Dry Creek

160 W panel is only going to give you about 10 amps of charging capacity and that's not going to do much of anything to keep your batteries charged if you are hoping that this could be a replacement for a generator. It will do a fine job of keeping the engine/house batteries topped off while the RV is parked and not being used but it's really not going to do much else.

[magicbus]

Hmmm... I only had enough free real estate on my roof for 160 watts so that is what I put up there. I do have a factory-mounted plug on the side of the coach where I can plug in a ground-located panel, but I'm not sure where I would carry that.

Dave

[Almot]

15 years ago, when solar was expensive and owners were installing max 180-200W, RV shops were offering 50W solar.

Now that permanent roof arrays by owners are at least 300W, and very often 500-600W, shops offer 160W solar. Clowns.

[corvettekent]

I would install two of these 160 watt panels if you plan on boondocking.

[Almot]

Old Plank Road wrote:
I've been truck camping the last 8 years, don't use a generator when boondocking, I don't currently have solar.

Installing it yourself will be several times cheaper. Difficulty of this work is handyman's level. The only tedious part is pulling the cables. If you don't want DIY - then let the shop install. Those shop installs are often 2-pole connector on the roof, and thin wires that won't allow adding more solar later.

If you were able to boondock without either solar or generator, and if your wife can take this level of comfort, then 160W solar will work for both of you for trips up to 3-4 days long. Without having to run a generator. Or longer, if weather is agreeable and you are not running microwave and other high-wattage kitchen devices.

No, you can't "simply run a generator instead". It will take forever to charge batteries fully, and they prefer being charged fully. IMO, the term "simply" is more applicable to solar then to generator. Once installed, solar just works.

You might have to run a generator for an hour every other day, depending on the weather and your energy use, and let solar do the rest.

[BFL13]

You are going to pay for installation costs and whatever mark-up on the panels etc, but you don't have to get that 160w set from those guys. There are others who do RV solar installations, and you can get a different (better) set -up.

[Rustofer]

I have only a single 95 watt panel on my camper, and it's enough most of the time, to keep the propane fridge running, recharge the phones, provide lights and pump the water. It all depends on how much power you consume.

[Lwiddis]

If the factory installed controller and wiring will efficiently allow an additional panel and the price is reasonable, yes. 160 solar watts is better than no solar but its small.

I am happy with my solar system? YES...haven't needed the generator at all for 45 days of camping. Batteries usually full by noon. No starting, stopping, cooling, checking oil or filling gas tank..AND no noise!

[MDKMDK]

If it's a factory install, maybe they could add a second panel for a little more amperage "oomph", since they're going to be up on the roof and running cables anyway. Might not be that much more if it can be done.
Wouldn't hurt to inquire?

Enjoy your "new to you" rig. :C

[Old_Plank_Road]

The cost is a consideration, but a class c has been on the wife's wish list for a very long time. She has been patient, but every year the entry steps and steps to the cab-over get a little steeper. I can do semi advanced southern engineering, but in that this is her dream coach, this time I would leave it to more capable hands.

Adding the solar seems like a good plan, I guess I needed a little affirmation to just do it.

Thank you for the replies.

[MDKMDK]

You should see the retail prices on ZAMP solar panels.
Standard pricing a little over $1/watt? Give or take?
The best number I could find at retail in Michigan on a ZAMP 100W flex panel and cable w/connector, was $6/watt.
Outrageous.

Would you mind running down to Bend, OR, and grabbing me one at factory wholesale pricing? Thanks. :B

[BFL13]

A 160w panel here costs about $180 US, and a controller for that would be under $50. Some wires for pick a number $30 ? so WAG for do it yourself (no shipping) is $260. And everything is cheaper in the States besides.

People on here in the past have been quoted for such a simple solar installation at a dealer's or as a factory option at well over a thousand dollars. Crazy! 😞