Simple Solar RV expertise needed
I want to purchase a simple solar panel to keep my 4 golf cart 6v batteries up to charge when in storage. Any idea of what I would need? My RV sits most of the time and it's not near a plug to keep...
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it might work, but my take on it is if your going to go through the trouble to mount a panel on the roof, go with as big of a panel or two even and use solar while your camping also. I have four 6V GC batteries on my 5th wheel with three older panels giving me 480 watts of solar and I never worry about power if I am not using a bunch of 120V apliances. I am going to upgrade them though as I want to be aboe to run my bar fridge in the outdoor kitchen.
I would say if you can get two good panels with a MPPT controler you'll be laughing, but for just keeping the batteries topped up a 100 will probably work.
as for leaks, I drilled pilot holes into my studs, put sealant into the holes and on the bottoms of the brackets and then screws the mounts down, then I put self leveling over the tops of the brackets, if any moisture gets through that somthing is wrong.. it then just becomes part of your yearly roof check and fix the self leveling if it needs it.
Thanks for the info, Since my RV sits most of the time, will the batteries get overcharged and cooked out? or will the PWM stop delivering juice in sensing that the batteries are full?
I leave mine conected all year, make sure the solar controle has different options for different types of batteries and it should do the corect charge. I would still check on them and top up watter a couple times while in storage. I check on mine at the begining and middle of camping season and the same with storage.. so when it goes into storage and about 1/2 way through the storage season.
I find its easier to check a little to often than not enough, this also gives you a chance to see how your solar set up is doing, the first couple months I would probably chek once a week just to get an idea if it is working like you expect and keeping the battery up. since your talking about stoage another thing to be aware of is if it is a snowy area your in, if so you should go down after each storm and sweep the panels off.
