New solar project
I have a 30 foot travel trailer with plenty of space on the roof and I want to do some remote camping. I'd like to be able to run the refrigerator, watch TV through-out the day, and be able to use la...
Forum Discussion
mena661 wrote:
Like others have said, unless you're running a MW, coffee maker or other high draw appliance, a 300W inverter and two GC's will be plenty. And I wouldn't even bother with more than a 200-250W panel either. IMO, if you want to pig out on power but not use the high draw stuff, get four 435Ah L16's instead of the 8 GC's. The L16's weigh less overall and take up less space. Yes, you'll lose some amp hours and they're taller than GC's but I have 4 of the 370Ah versions and have plenty of power. No solar either.
good advice. I have 160W of portable solar and I use 4 T-125GC with a 1000W inverter for the microwave etc. (Panasonic true inverter, so I can set it for max power of 800VA easily).
I'd have use L-16's but couldn't manage the height and they are heavy. But if you can fit them in by all means use L-16's instead of GC.
We are prudent, but not anal about power when we dry camp. microwave occasionally, DW uses hair dryer, use maxair vent fans when hot, furnace when cold and LED lights. use lights in the AM and evening. Even with all that we can go at least 8 days before the battery bank is down to 50%SOC with 4 GC with 6hours of solar/day. (Darn Trees and mountains, kill the # solar hours in the fall.)
