solar

[64thunderbolt]

I now have a small 15w panel for trickle charge while stored. I am thinking of going to 2 100w panels for a complete recharge every day. I always camp without hookups. Any comments? Not really savvy on solar. I have an 800w inv just for tv & dvd. No need for any other loads on the inv.

[64thunderbolt]

RJsfishin wrote:
Yep, 200 tilted toward the Sun is enuff,....if the sun shines every day.
But a week ago, 3 days here in Quartzsite w/ little to no sun, made 300 watts not quite cutting it !
Yesterday was the first day w/full sun all day,...my batteries were thrilled by noon already 🙂

Yes it was overcast here in the valley also. I will use the gen when needed but just want to cut down on use if I can. NO need for 100% solar. just a shot in the arm is all I am after.

[64thunderbolt]

NinerBikes wrote:

64thunderbolt wrote:
I live in Az so we have full sun most of the time. I don't use a lot of power. Most times I am the only one in my toyhauler. I have 2 Interstate GC2's.

Have you done a power audit yet to determine how many amps you use in a 24 hour period? That's the first thing to get a number on, from there you'll know what you need to replace.

No I haven't My toyhauler has a 4K Onan so it's not like I don't have charging capabilities. I dry camp almost always so I can run it whenever the need arises. Not going to depend on solar for everything so I'm not going to bother with that. I was just wondering if 200w would cut down on the gen time.

[NinerBikes]

64thunderbolt wrote:
I live in Az so we have full sun most of the time. I don't use a lot of power. Most times I am the only one in my toyhauler. I have 2 Interstate GC2's.

Have you done a power audit yet to determine how many amps you use in a 24 hour period? That's the first thing to get a number on, from there you'll know what you need to replace.

[pnichols]

IMHO, there is no (affordable) subsitute for ALWAYS having a very small and very quiet generator along in your RV for battery charging. Perhaps fuel cells will eventually be affordabe enough to replace a small generator for this purpose, however.

Solar is of course another redundancy capability that's great to have aboard your RV for battery topping up when in storage and when drycamping for long periods in the same spot. With weather now going the direction it's going everywhere, it seems risky to have only the sun to count on for drycamping battery maintenance.

We have been RV'ing for around 45 years and have never needed solar. However, we don't full-time camp in the same sunny spot for months on end, we have always used a self-contained RV with at least it's engine alternator for emergency battery charging, and we have always been able to store our RV close to a shore power outlet. We may soon add a small, foldable, portable solar array into our mix for improved RV drycamping choices.

[JiminDenver]

a 230w poly panel was enough for the basics plus some in decent weather, even left flat. We never needed the generator that year nor have used it since. Tracking the sun with it was even more power, we couldn't use it with out a big inverter load.

[pianotuna]

Hi thunderbolt,

200 watts of poly nominal 12 volt, with a decent charge controller that is temperature compensated would make generator use small. 400 watts would probably eliminate generator use.

[RJsfishin]

Yep, 200 tilted toward the Sun is enuff,....if the sun shines every day.
But a week ago, 3 days here in Quartzsite w/ little to no sun, made 300 watts not quite cutting it !
Yesterday was the first day w/full sun all day,...my batteries were thrilled by noon already 🙂

[mena661]

smkettner wrote:
200w will suit you well.

X2

[camper19709]

You should be fine. I have 2 GC batteries, 120watt solar panel and a 1,000watt invertor. If I am up late watching TV the batteries may get low but I know as soon as the sun comes up so do the batteries.

[64thunderbolt]

Thanks everyone for the comments that is what I am gonna go with.

[time2roll]

200w will suit you well.

[64thunderbolt]

voodoo101 wrote:
Should do fine. I dry camp all of the time and have 4 GC batteries with 3 100 watt panels. 1500 watt inverter. Never a problem unless I park in the shade, which I avoid. Don't have a TV but handle furnace and occasional microwave just fine.

Thanks. Where in Az are you? I am in Peoria & spend lots of time in the Happy Jack area.

[voodoo101]

Should do fine. I dry camp all of the time and have 4 GC batteries with 3 100 watt panels. 1500 watt inverter. Never a problem unless I park in the shade, which I avoid. Don't have a TV but handle furnace and occasional microwave just fine.

[64thunderbolt]

I have been getting by without it for 15 yrs and no plans to add more people or changes in style. Just thought it may cut down on gen time. I am 65 and not fond of changes. Most of my time is spent offroading or visiting outside with friends. Just watch a movie once in a while before turning in & heat @ night when it gets a little cool.