Solar Novice Needs Direction

[2Macs]

I keep dreaming up possible modifications for my TT that are sometimes excellent and other times "crazy".

Now, the subject is solar.

I use two 12 volt deep cycle batteries wired in series to power the TT when electricity or generator is not available.

I am considering using solar panel(s)to charge them if dry camping.
My initial research indicates I need a minimum of a 12 volt panel to charge one battery. Do I need 24 volts or larger for two batteries to keep them up and also use power from them at the same time for lighting, water pump and heating, etc?

Now, here is the crazy part. I also have 600 watt and 500 watt power inverters to 110 AC. I can't tell you if they are "pure sine wave" or "modified sine wave" inverters. One is a Rally Model 7294 inverter.

Can I attach these inverters to the batteries in such a way to generate AC to handle a 22 inch LED TV, charge a shaver, a toaster occasionally, or a 900 watt microwave occasionally?

Can I even do this? If I can, what size solar panel(s) do I need?

I did a search in the forum on this subject and did not find any satisfactory answers.

Forum members expertise would be appreciated.

[SkiSmuggs]

2Macs wrote:


I use two 12 volt deep cycle batteries wired in series to power the TT when electricity or generator is not available.

So you have a 24 volt system or did you mean wired in parallel for a 12 volt system? Start with the reading mentioned above, 12v side of life.

[2oldman]

2Macs wrote:
I use two 12 volt deep cycle batteries wired in series to power the TT when electricity or generator is not available.

Really?

You should start here: 12v side of life.

Then here:Solar basics

These too:
Don Rowe site Inverter FAQ
Inverters by Phred
MSW v. pure sine

[RoyB]

GOOGLE search says the Rally 800W 12VDC INVERTER model 7394 is a MODIFIED SINE WAVE type INVERTER.


Although alot of folks will use these MSW INVERTER for electronic devices I have always steered away from them. It only has "NOT TO WORK ONCE" before going up in blue smoke. It really doesn't cost that much more to have a PURE SINE WAVE INVERTER just to be safe.

Who knows what someone in the trailer might plug into one just to see it go up in blue smoke...

I use a 600WATT PSW AIMs INVERTER (AMAZON) that cost $149 for all of my electronic home entertainment items plus cell phone chargers and computer chargers etc... I really only need around 250-300WATTS to run these 120VAC devices but having a little extra is nice to have for the occasional higher wattage appliance. A 120VAC Coffee bean grinder is one example... I can also run my cheapo 500WATT WALMART WHite Faced manual operated Microwave unit for a few minutes to warm up some coffee...

My 600WATT PSW INVERTER is direct Connected to the main 12VDC battery selector switch and then I route two 120VAC extension cord drops from the INVERTER Unit with one going to the Home entertainment Center area and the other one going to the night stand area next to the bed. These two location are where 99% of my must have on items are located when camping off the power grid.

Roy Ken

[rupprider]

edit, saw other thread.

[BoonHauler]

You can not couple the inverters together to make 1100 watts so too speak. If you try doing so you'll fry both of them so forget the Microwave. You'll need a bigger inverter to handle that load.

You'll get a lot of comments here to help you figure out what to do but you really need to educate yourself on the subject matter.

Here's a link to another site with a lot of very knowledgeable folks as well Northern Arizona Wind and Sun. It's a good place to buy equipment as well.

Educate yourself, knowledge is power ... 🙂