โNov-19-2014 09:05 PM
โNov-22-2014 12:30 PM
Snowman9000 wrote:
Maybe their controller was a long way from the batteries, with thin wire from there.
โNov-22-2014 09:01 AM
โNov-22-2014 08:56 AM
โNov-22-2014 04:32 AM
โNov-22-2014 04:16 AM
Almot wrote:
Same as Steve, I don't feel like I need more solar (with my 490W). But I constantly see people with same size solar running generators 6-7 hours a day, on the same camp in the same weather. First I asked, for curiosity, then stopped. They either can't provide any explanations, or mumble something about the wife that "wants to do many things at the same time" - have no idea what this could mean. None of them bothered converting lights to LED, none have proper 12V fans for hot weathe, and most of them spend many-many hours in front of their TV sets (which are usually also not the most modern and efficient).
โNov-22-2014 04:03 AM
โNov-21-2014 11:46 PM
NinerBikes wrote:
With what you tell me, and not sacrificing, and where you camp, and how much roof you have on a C class...I'd sell your 1990's generator, and get a new Honda Eu2000i Generator online from Wise Sales. Maybe a good 14.8V charge controller too.
โNov-21-2014 11:36 PM
BFL13 wrote:
To live the same way for microwave etc, exact same standard of living, with our rig (a barn to heat) it takes 200AH/day at 35F in February. But it takes maybe 70AH day to do the same in summer at 80F out in the open (long warm days means few lights and little furnace)
โNov-21-2014 07:36 PM
path1 wrote:NinerBikes wrote:
OP needs to tell us more about the rig he is in, what they use that sucks power, and wifey habits. Obviously, hair dryers, and A/C's and microwaves may be out of the picture, without a generator if in a smaller rig.
OP here....More info if it will help.
We just brought wives TT home last month. We have RV'd for many years and have had several RV's (actually too many). The latest is a 2013 Arctic Fox that and it is the wives. We love to travel in our X-rental Majestic that replaced our 37ft 5th wheel six years ago and will keep it. The places a small class C can get into are great. But as about everything else in RVing there are compromises. One of the compromises is the size of RV. Small class C is great for shorter amount of time, but when its raining or staying put for longer time, they are not so good for us!.
We wanted something that we would be more comfortable for staying put for longer time and more room especially in the kitchen area. Overall be more comfortable.
Talking with people that do have solar we've noticed that some people want to power a small city and others say they should of put up more.
Being we seem to blast thru batteries, we thought why not get some solar? Most of our camping trips are in the winter time the temps are in the 30-40's and raining. But our lack of sun in the pacific NW we'll probably need more than the usual. We are going to start our "going south" again to warmer climate as soon as wife gets OK from her Dr.
So knowing nothing about solar, I thought others might chime in and atleast get us going in right direction. Our elec usage IMO is "normal" we like temps 70-72 degrees and wife will read 1/2 the night with some lights on. IMO wife is not as conservative as she should be, but that's OK, she thinks we'd get better MPG if I didn't bring so many tools and spare parts along. But she doesn't complain about my shop labor rate when something needs fixing and I don't complain about all the gadgets or weight of them in the kitchen. So I guess we're even.:B
Our generator is an old Honda (1990's model)that is not so quiet compared to newer light weight ones, so we don't use it if we think it will disturb others. And I thought we might be able to leave generator at home with enough solar being tow rig is an older diesel. That would be no gas and gas cans.
I'm starting to read some of the links people have posted and starting to believe solar is like tire posts. What works for some doesn't mean it will work for you.
Maybe my question should of been, how much solar do you have and do you like it?
Thanks
โNov-21-2014 06:47 PM
JiminDenver wrote:
I don't use the panels to charge a big bank that I drain over night. I use it to power the things we do during the day. Coffee, cooking, heating water, TV/Sat, cooling the trailer, even some heating on those cold clear mornings. In the two weeks we used the two 245w systems, the controllers recorded a little over 16000 Wh.
โNov-21-2014 06:11 PM
โNov-21-2014 06:06 PM
โNov-21-2014 04:33 PM
JiminDenver wrote:MrWizard wrote:
Never have I read about an RV`r saying they got 600 amp hrs in a day
I think you have a typo confusing watt hrs and amp hrs
600 amp Hrs would be way over 7000 watt Hrs...approx 8000 watt Hrs
I looked, a amp hour is the same now as it was 35 years ago. use one ampere for one hour and it is one amp hour. 50a for one hour is 50 Ah. 50a for 12 hours is 600 Ah.
I designed our system to be able to run a small air conditioner without draining the battery. I'm looking into options for the power that isn't being used.
โNov-21-2014 04:14 PM
โNov-21-2014 03:50 PM
Almot wrote:Canadian Rainbirds wrote:
My solar, 420 Watts, and 484 AH of battery is almost enough for the winter in Mexico (without AC) and the same up here in the summer if we're not under the trees.
Yep. Minimum 500W for winter in Mexico or summer in BC-WA. Make it 700-1000W to be able to camp in partial shade too.
Winter in WA, on solar, jeez... I can survive on zero watts when it's warm and dry in daytime. When it's 40F in the night AND in the day and rains non-stop for a week - I wouldn't even try living without 110V grid, or a wood burning stove, or a generator.