Solar power, not sure what all is needed

[fjacky]

I have some property and we love camping on it. (we have zero power) The only solar power I would like/need is enough to run a couple LED lights at night, charge an iphone, and plug my Wilson Universal Cell Phone Booster in during the day... I would also like to plug my koolatron cooler into it too at some point. (for beer, lol)

I was thinking of doing the 2 golf cart batteries with solar panels. Just not exactly sure of panel sizing and other odds and ends I'd need. (inverters/regulators etc)

Can you help? 🙂

[pianotuna]

Hi,

I'd go with 60 watts of solar per 100 amp-hours of storage. I'd probably go for an 8D twelve volt jar with AGM chemistry. Between visits the solar panels will return the battery bank to full capacity. I'd choose a controller that has a temperature sensor available to be placed on the battery bank.

[doughere]

A Koolatron P-65 draws 4.5 Amps. If you use it 12 hours a day, that's 50 AH a day. I found one Wilson amp that uses 3 Amp at 6 Volts, assuming you'll need to use a 115 VAC to 6 volt brick of some kind you're probably looking at 35AH day (using a small inverter, 35 is probably about right, using a 12 to 6 VDC converter, probably a good bit less). If you plan to use another 15-20 AH daily (LED lights 5 hr./day, charge couple of cell phones) you're looking at 105 AH per day.

As a SWAG; I think you're looking at about 250 to 300 watts of solar, a 20 Amp MPP controller, and a minimum of a pair of GC batteries (4 being better). I think I'd throw in a 1000 watt gen and a good charger to keep you alive on cloudy days.

Doug

[BFL13]

You need one of these, but wait for the next sale (every few months in the flyer) usually at half price.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/motomaster-1000w-pure-sine-wave-inverter-w-remote-control-0111892p...

Any two batteries 12s or 6s (IMO 6s better--See those Costco 6s for $115 each )

And one of these (again , they go on for half price every so often)

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/motomaster-eliminator-intelligent-battery-charger-2a-0111506p.html

This charger sits at 13.4v forever, after doing its initial charge up. Great little float charger. That's for keeping the batteries up while at home if your trailer has no converter that does float charging or you don't leave it plugged in. Either way you need to take the batts home every time and put a charger on them to float.

You could use a solar set up--nothing less than 100w panel and not much more either, but getting one in Canada for a decent price is tough. Should be about $150 for a 100w panel. Do not buy a "kit"(way over the top prices) All you need is a small controller that can work with that panel. Should be under $25. eg

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/coleman-8-5a-solar-charge-controller-0112008p.html

Maybe somebody local is selling solar panels out of his garage you can pick up no shipping. eg, here on the Island right now, this guy has popped up. (another guy was in business with good prices but has gone out of business for a while)

http://www.islandlifewholesale.com/100w-Mono-Crystaline-Solar-Panel-PWM-100.htm

[fjacky]

BFL13 wrote:
Does the hybrid have a fridge? What converter model and DC amps (not the ACamps) size is it? Do you take the hybrid home between camping trips? is it plugged in at home? Watch any TV/dvd while camping?

All of which affects what you need.

It would just be a regular small bar fridge. And not worried about tv and that stuff. Again, just enough to charge iphone/ipad, and a wilson universal cell phone booster

[BFL13]

Does the hybrid have a fridge? What converter model and DC amps (not the ACamps) size is it? Do you take the hybrid home between camping trips? is it plugged in at home? Watch any TV/dvd while camping?

All of which affects what you need.

[fjacky]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

Is the fridge to be run between visits?

Nope. Will only need to run when I am up there.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Is the fridge to be run between visits?

[fjacky]

I am just looking to be able to charge cell phone, have a few lights and maybe a small fridge..this is regardless of what the cabin needs. at some point I will not have the rv up there, just a small cabin. Just the basics. With whatever set up I end up having, I want to be sure that I wont be having to replace the batteries within 2 years.

thx

[BFL13]

fjacky wrote:

BFL13 wrote:
You must give more scenario. How long at a time do you stay out there? What do you have now to recharge the two 6s? Do you leave it all there unattended when going home? Is that ok for theft worries? Do you take the batteries home and how often? (for chances to recharge to 100% on shore power) Is this a cabin or an RV or an RV acting as a cabin?

We do approx 8-10 trips a year up there, ranging from 2 days - 5 days

I don't have the batteries yet. Only generator (just getting started)

Not worried about theft, but can bring batteries home to keep charged if it's the way to go.

As of now it's a hybrid camper, but will soon be getting a cabin.

Perhaps the converter in the hybrid is not too high in DC amps to run from the generator, so that should take care of your two 6s for just 2-5 days (which is no big deal). A simple solar of 100w portable set up would be a help but not necessary at this stage IMO.

First priority might be fresh water supply. I wouldn't get anything much until you know what the cabin will need, then only get stuff that you can use there. eg whether or not it will have hydro, water, septic. Meanwhile you are just an ordinary weekend RVer, so enjoy doing that. 🙂

[westend]

Yes, you'll need a stand-alone auto type charger and you won't be able to use a bigger one since the small size of the generator will limit the input amperage of the battery charger.

I would definitely start picking up the pieces for a solar charging system. I have a 235w module and it is all working even better than expected. I am thinking about picking up another module so I have even more power available.

[fjacky]

Gulfcoast wrote:
If you have a Honda inverter generator... I'd be happy and use it. You could barely hear it run at the camp. Solar is not cheap, I'd get 200 watts to start... but when you get a cabin and keep adding toys you will need more watts.

I have a low end generator. It's a united power 1300w... brand new for $160. It barely runs my 1/3hp sump pump... would that charge the 2 golf cart batteries? would I need some sort of smart charger that would plug into the generator that I would then plug the golf batteries into?

[Gulfcoast]

If you have a Honda inverter generator... I'd be happy and use it. You could barely hear it run at the camp. Solar is not cheap, I'd get 200 watts to start... but when you get a cabin and keep adding toys you will need more watts.

[fjacky]

BFL13 wrote:
You must give more scenario. How long at a time do you stay out there? What do you have now to recharge the two 6s? Do you leave it all there unattended when going home? Is that ok for theft worries? Do you take the batteries home and how often? (for chances to recharge to 100% on shore power) Is this a cabin or an RV or an RV acting as a cabin?

We do approx 8-10 trips a year up there, ranging from 2 days - 5 days

I don't have the batteries yet. Only generator (just getting started)

Not worried about theft, but can bring batteries home to keep charged if it's the way to go.

As of now it's a hybrid camper, but will soon be getting a cabin.

[pianotuna]

Here is a simple flow chart.

Budget-->Energy Audit-->Battery bank size-->number of watts-->PWM or MPPT.
One rule of thumb is between 60 and 150 watts of panels per 100 amp-hours of storage. The smaller the battery bank the high the wattage needed (per 100 amp-hours). Here is a link to the rather special spreadsheet which includes an energy audit, that N8GS has created to help size solar battery charging systems!
Solar Spread Sheet N8GS

For a nice explanation of solar, try this link: Golden rules of solar