Understanding Solar

[markjschuttler_]

Okay, will target those with 5th wheels and using solar to help with off Grid camping. I have looked at the Renogy Portable suit case and that is a 100 watt system. I was thinking of getting 200 watts and was wondering how that would work for us. I don't know how much of a solar system is needed to be able to run one AC unit, or maybe you can't run an AC unit at all.? Or just normal electrical stuff in your RV. I Don't want to spend a couple Grand to get just a little help with solar, and just to let you know, we would have a 5.5KW LP Generator. I just don't want to run the Generator as much, if I can use my Solar. Please explain as simple as you can on what type of solar system to get. I don't want to just jump into some big solar panels to mount on top of the 5er, and spend that kind of money. That is why I am saying I would like to take small steps and try it out with a 100 or 200watt Renogy Portable suit case to help us out on Charging up our Batteries and or 5er. I understand very little of what it does for energy and using electrical stuff in the RV.
Also I heard you should get solar batteries instead of regular Deep cycle batteries??? Do most 5ers come with 1 or 2 Batteries. Do you think it is a good idea to get an extra battery if you have the space. Not to sure what space I will have when getting the Generator put in. Again this is a 2016 5th Wheel we are going to get. Thank you for any Info on this topic and I do hope someone out there will be able to help me understand solar a little better than I do now. I soon to be, Happy Camper and Boondocker... Mark and Jodi...

[BFL13]

eb145 wrote:

markjschuttler.2016 wrote:
Thank you everyone for the help of understanding Solar.. I am going to have to do my Homework... I guess for now, I will use a little solar to just top off my Batteries and use my Generator when I really need to run the big stuff, AC, water Heater, furnace... Thanks again....

You can run your water heater on propane as it uses very little electricity that way.

The furnace uses propane for heat and 12V to run the fan. So you can use the furnace, but you have to be aware of how much battery power it consumes. The furnace fan does consume a fair amount of electricity (Amps) when it is running.

Have fun learning about solar power, batteries and your 12V systems.

Ed

The fridge uses 12v to run the burner when it is on propane. (About 0.5a when burning) Does not the furnace do the same? Total furnace is about 7 amps in our rig, but I don't know how much is fan and how much is burner, and how much is controls.

[eb145]

markjschuttler.2016 wrote:
Thank you everyone for the help of understanding Solar.. I am going to have to do my Homework... I guess for now, I will use a little solar to just top off my Batteries and use my Generator when I really need to run the big stuff, AC, water Heater, furnace... Thanks again....

You can run your water heater on propane as it uses very little electricity that way.

The furnace uses propane for heat and 12V to run the fan. So you can use the furnace, but you have to be aware of how much battery power it consumes. The furnace fan does consume a fair amount of electricity (Amps) when it is running.

Have fun learning about solar power, batteries and your 12V systems.

Ed

[markjschuttler_]

Thank you everyone for the help of understanding Solar.. I am going to have to do my Homework... I guess for now, I will use a little solar to just top off my Batteries and use my Generator when I really need to run the big stuff, AC, water Heater, furnace... Thanks again....

[EsoxLucius]

Wow, second post was perhaps the best, except for maybe adding http://www.jackdanmayer.com/rv_electrical_and_solar.htm and https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com

Info about what everyone else has done or piecemeal knee jerk reaction does little to help a person evaluate their own needs and what will satisfy them.

[westend]

I would recommend a 150 - 300 watt inverter, as these are the most energy efficient. Larger inverters use 3 amps per hour just to leave them on.

A Xantrex Prowatt 1000W inverter has an idle draw of less than 0.6 amps. Newer inverters tend to have low idle draw or have an automatic "sleep" cycle.

[RJsfishin]

Quote:
. I don't want to just jump into some big solar panels to mount on top of the 5er,
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Really ? Then forget solar.

[Golden_HVAC]

http://www.amazon.com/P3-P4400-Electricity-Usage-Monitor/dp/B00009MDBU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=144211...

Kill-a-watt will measure all the amperage going through it. Also you can leave it plugged in someplace in the RV all the time to monitor the voltage to the A/C when in a 30 amp campground, just unplug it if you are using a inverter to run the RV, and it will add a load to the RV.

The A/C will consume about 1,200 watts per hour, and while it can be done, the inverter alone needs to be 2,000 watts rating, with wiring rated to handle the 250+ amp start up load on the compressor, and would cost well over $2,000 to install. You would also need 4 golf cart batteries, and a minimum of about 1,000 watts of solar panels to run it.

So 'while it can be done' is it not practical, and is very unusual for anyone to actually run a A/C with anything but a generator.

I do not even run my microwave on the inverter, even though my MSW inverter is 1,500 watt rating, and the 4 golf cart batteries will put out the 150 amps it uses! The microwave no longer cooks as quickly, and had to be replaced. Now it is just generator or shore power for my microwave. .

I would recommend a 150 - 300 watt inverter, as these are the most energy efficient. Larger inverters use 3 amps per hour just to leave them on.

As for solar panels, check out the prices here. SunElec.com THey had a 140 watt panel for $229 a few weeks ago. You will want 12 volt nominal output (about 20 volts open circuit with no load on it) Then buy a 20 amp PWM controller for about $35. The more expensive MPPT controller are no longer worth it, it would be less expensive to buy more panels than to gain the extra 10% that you can collect with the MPPT controller.

Good luck on your project!

Fred.

[Muddydogs]

For $350 to $400 you can get 2 100 watt panels, controller, mounts and wire from panels to controller. Add another $50 ish for wire from controller to battery and other small parts. 200 watts is a good starting point and will keep your batteries charged for the most part.

Roof is about the best place for panels as there is no messing with them and there always doing the job. As for holes in your roof you have to remember that your trailer already has around 100 holes in the roof for vents, ac and antennas so whats a couple more.

[azrving]

You wont be able to run the ac on solar.

Are you going to use led bulbs?
Are you going to invert heavy loads like microwave, hairdryer, toaster?
Do you have a Cpap machine or other special needs?
How much television do you like to watch?
Are you willing to drag panels in and out over and over?
Are you willing to drill holes in your new roof?
If you use fold outs will you be able to stay in camp while charging so that the panels dont walk away?
What states will you be using it in?
What time of year will you use it?
Will the noise of the generator bother you if you need to run it early or late such as when someone is still sleeping?
Will you be camped where you can run the gen if you choose to power with the gen instead of a large inverter?
Have you heard the actual sound level of the generator when used in the rig you are considering?
Are you willing to spend a lot on a large inverter?
What type of converter do you have in case you have bad weather and need to charge with the converter?
How much room do you have in the battery box?
Are you willing to maintain the battery water levels and minor battery cleaning maintenance?
Are you handy or do you have to pay someone?

[pianotuna]

To consider running the air conditioner via solar means having about 1400 watts of panels and a pretty large battery bank.

I can run my roof air just fine, but two hours use requires about 7 good solar days for the battery bank to recover.

If I need the air conditioner I head to an inexpensive campground, or I urban dock at a friends home.

http://freecampsites.net/

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Recommended. Switch hot water to GAS. Switch refrigerator to GAS. Maintain only BASIC loads. No heaters. Make believe you're camping.

Buy an electrical cord adapter and a KILL-A-WATT meter. Plug the meter into a FIFTEEN AMP circuit at home This will keep you honest and protect the meter from overload.

Pretend camp in the rig over the weekend. Friday 1800 hours to Sunday 1800 hours.

Note the TOTAL kWh as registeted on the Kill-A-Watt meter. Write it down.

Then come back to this forum for a discussion, after posting your total kWh that you wrote down.

This isn't pure guesswork. It gives a fundamental rough idea of how much power YOU use not someine else.

Just don't try and outsmart yourself and severely disrupt the way YOU think YOU will be camping. Toying with lifestyles is a sure recipe for error. Pretend you are camping 🙂 🙂 🙂

[markjschuttler_]

Okay thank you 2oldman!! will check it out.. Saw that in my Escapees Magazine.

[2oldman]

I can't say it any better than has already been said:

Start here: AM solar tutorial

..and read solar posts in the Tech forum.

These will get you familiar with batteries and your trailer's electrical systems:
Battery FAQ
This tutorial may be of some help. 12v side of life.