Setting up Solar on my Moho

[mountainkowboy]

This is my plan;

07 Tiffin 30DA, basically stock with 2 12v 100ah batteries. It had 2 6v's in it when we got it.... but they were toast, and these were almost new and free.

As I understand it... (could be completely wrong) by going to lithium batteries I save weight and get farther draw down than flooded, thus increasing my available ah's.

I plan on running 6 125watt flexible panels on my roof, and replace the batteries, and inverters with newer tech that marries with the solar system. My quandary is do I stay 12 volt and do more batteries. Or bite the bullet and go high voltage trying for better efficiency.

The end goal isn't to be able to reliably boondock and run the coach. I'm not interested in being able to run my roof top AC, I have a gennie if I need it.

[mountainkowboy]

Were booked for next week and will test the 12v system as it sits

[jaycocreek]

Howdy Kowboy

I would check on the reliability of flexible panels and there losing power quicker over time..Will Prowse has a good video on them and comparing them to rigid...I "was" going to do the same..

I have two lithium and there great for boondocking and why I took the step..They charge up fast and do not have to be fully charged..I have been running a compressor fridge with just one of them for several months and could easily keep it charged with my solar..I am going on 9 days running it today at 32% SOC..It is nice not to have to worry about that 50% cut off AGM's have before damage..

I ran that fridge off of my agm with a 100 watt solar panel on the roof this summer and it kept it in the float mode most of the time..Did good IMO but prefer Lifepo4 because of the ease of charging and 100% discharge if necessary..

Good luck on your choice
Jayco

[OkieGene]

Never mind. whoops.

[PerryB67]

Friends of our purchased a used 28' Tiffin two years ago. It was massively upgraded. I know they have four Lifeline AGM's in one bank with 600 watts on the roof, and another bank with another four Lifeline batteries charged by 400 watts on the roof.

They sent me the ad and asked if it was a good buy. I responded that if they didn't buy it within 24 hours we would. I believe it has the same wheelbase as our F150 and turns on a dime.

Food for thought,

Perry

[mountainkowboy]

Lwiddis wrote:
If your current batteries are sufficient, why change them out until they start to fail?
Yes, large size wire needed for a 12 volt system is more cumbersome but once it’s installed, it doesn’t matter.

Have never done a test of how the present battery system holds up. But from past experience it won't make it through a cold night using the heater.

[mountainkowboy]

Thanks for the answers, still in the "planning" stage. Been doing TONS of research. Will be going over all systems next week and figure out what is in it to start with. This stuff aint cheap and I'd like to be able to run most everything but the AC off of solar. It looks like lithium is the way to go for batteries. Cost in the long run is cheaper than wet batteries. Still digging.

[Lwiddis]

If your current batteries are sufficient, why change them out until they start to fail?
Yes, large size wire needed for a 12 volt system is more cumbersome but once it’s installed, it doesn’t matter.

[2oldman]

I'm 48v. It's nice not having to deal with big fat wire.

[KD4UPL]

I wouldn't mess with little 125 watt panels unless that's all you can make fit. Larger 300 to 400 watt panels are much less expensive, easier to find, and easier to wire up.
If you're planning on even a medium size system I would go 24 volt minimum but 48 volt would be the best choice. You can just use a 48 volt to 12 volt converter to keep your factory 12 volt systems powered.

[TechWriter]

Instead of pre-selecting panels and making them fit, select panels to maximize your roof area. You want as much wattage as possible because of the numerous factors that lower PV output.

[corvettekent]

How much does your Tiffin weigh? I don't think that the savings will matter.
I would stay away from the flex panels and install 5 or 6 200 watt panels, or 3 350 watt panels.
I would stay with a 12 volt system.