We are staying at a CG with full hookups including 30/50 amp electric which is all working. There is a smaller class A in a site, with shore power cord plugged into his power pole. However, and here is where I get lost, he also has a 2'X 4' solar panel set up and wired in front of the RV, and it is always aimed toward the sun. What I don't understand is why? What does the solar panel do that the shore power doesn't?What am I missing?

Likely the solar is for his engine battery, while the house batts get the charger supplied by shore power

We're all just guessing here.. like his converter is shot, or he doesn't know what he's doing. Ask him!There's always a nice way to ask.. like "hey, nice panels, where did yo get them.. blah blah." Then maybe he'll volunteer a reason.

Unless there is something faulty in his onboard electrical system...there is no point to it.Engine battery doesn't need solar to stay charged and it's simpler and more reliable to have a connection to the charging system for the house batteries with a disconnect.

Maybe he is testing his solar system? Or maybe he wants to see how many Wh he can gather in a day? Maybe he collecting solar power makes him happy?If this is concerning you why don't you ask them, as opposed to posting photos of of strangers RV on the internet?

valhalla360 wrote:Unless there is something faulty in his onboard electrical system...there is no point to it.Engine battery doesn't need solar to stay charged and it's simpler and more reliable to have a connection to the charging system for the house batteries with a disconnect.It's actually common for the chassis battery to not be charged from the house charger. Then there is battery self discharge and perhaps loads that can't be switched off as supplied by the mfg.And while an alternate charging method might be simplier we would then be denied the fun of responding to this thread.

Solar expert please help me understand | Good Sam Community

20 Replies

pianotuna
Nomad III
Apr 07, 2021
Itinerant1 wrote:
Having the hybrid inverter would make extremely easy.

Hi Itinerant1,

I may have reduced the lifespan on my Magum hybrid by doing that. The method for doing so is to lower the shorepower amperage until the solar system accepts most or some of the load. This forces the Magnum from "load support" to "voltage support".

Shortly after I did that a number of conditions allowed the Magnum to catch on fire.

I'm not saying this is proof--but if it quacks like a duck......

The take away is "be careful".
corvettekent
Explorer
Apr 07, 2021
I unplugged my converter 8 years ago when I installed my solar. It has been a couple years since I have be in a RV park but if I was my batteries would be charging from solar not the power post. I most likely would be plugged into the power post to run a heater or air conditioning.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Apr 07, 2021
Perhaps the owner of the panels wishes to do his small part to lower consumption. I always leave my panels on when on shore power.
rlw999
Explorer
Apr 06, 2021
The most likely guess is that he's charging the chassis battery (maybe he runs his stereo from the chassis battery). But based on the apparent age of that RV, my second guess would be that his power converter is broken and not charging, so he uses solar to keep the house batteries topped up so he can run 12V gear in the RV.
Sandia_Man
Explorer II
Apr 06, 2021
With charging wire from solar panel going through front access they are probably keeping a starting battery from completely discharging, when plugged to shorepower many rig's only charge house batteries.
valhalla360
Navigator
Apr 06, 2021
Itinerant1 wrote:
If I were in a campground longterm and was paying for electric my solar would be carrying as much of the load as possible. Having the hybrid inverter would make extremely easy.

The panel shown is maybe 200w rated, so if he is lucky, he might get 1kwh per day out of it. Assuming no losses (there will be losses), that's about $0.15 per day saved (feel free to update with your local rates but it's still nothing).

Even with your very large 1300w system, you are looking at something around 5-7kwh, so maybe $1/day. How much do those fancy hybrid inverters that can mesh with shore power run?
2oldman
Explorer II
Apr 06, 2021
larry cad wrote:
Regarding the meth lab, I think I'll go up to the office and see if I can move, like far, far away!
That small of a solar setup wouldn't power much of anything, let alone a heat plate. But I'll recognize the humor!
larry_cad
Explorer II
Apr 06, 2021
ndrorder wrote:
There is a meter loop on the pedestal. Perhaps he has a deal where he pays for the 120V he uses. Or, he is just trying to save the park some money because he has the solar to help - a little.

Oooor, he uses the solar to power a small heat plate for the Ranger Bob Mobile Meth Lab.

Nope. Electric is included in the site price, except for annual users and his is not an annual site.

Now, saving the park some money, that's one that didn't occur to me.

Regarding the meth lab, I think I'll go up to the office and see if I can move, like far, far away!
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Apr 06, 2021
Could have a separate battery for his TV and this is how he charges it.
2oldman
Explorer II
Apr 06, 2021
larry cad wrote:
The panels magically move to take in the sun, but I'm not sure how.
Nothing in that picture gives any indication they can move by themselves.