What's the Latest Solar Tech?

[BurbMan]

I did a search and didn't find what I was looking for...The last time I looked at a solar system was a probably 5 years ago for our old Terry TT. Good systems were out of my budget range them and I stopped following the tech.

Fast forward to the Lance 811 truck camper we are rebuilding (water damage) and I'm once again looking into solar. The tech is moving so fast, stuff that's even a few years old is obsolete.

I've only got storage for one battery today, and that's a Costco Group 27 Marine/Deep Cycle. We're removing the microwave, so the only thing that will draw any power is phone recharging and a small TV at night. Which is just as well since I don't have much real estate on the roof this camper either.

Any suggestions for a good system for this small setup?

[BurbMan]

Just bought a 100W Renology Kit. This should be more than enough to keep the battery charged for the use we are planning.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

I look at the point of the IPs origin.

Long Island can get a hell of a lot colder than + 20F

Always necessary this caveat

[n0arp]

naturist wrote:

ajriding wrote:
The battery is really the big thing in tech that has advanced. Yes, a little risky to mount lithium in camper cause you fear it will catch fire.

There are several lithium battery chemistries in use these days, and the lithium iron phosphate (LiFePo) used for RVs is not the fire hazard chemistry that others are. The risk is imaginary.

Exactly. This needs to be reiterated because apparently a lot of people are unaware.

[BFL13]

A 2002 TC might have the old style 6300 converter instead of a modern one. If it has a 9100 be sure to get a Charge Wizard for it.

[time2roll]

AFAIK the latest tech is lower prices on panels, MPPT controllers, and lithium batteries.

[Vintage465]

There is all kinds of tech out there but 2 things don't change....put the controller, mppt or pwm as close to the battery as possible. If running parallel solar, run BIG wire. I have #4 conductor from the combiner to the controller(that is near the battery bank)and #2 from the controller to the battery bank. I have no inverter. Just my opinion

[naturist]

ajriding wrote:
The battery is really the big thing in tech that has advanced. Yes, a little risky to mount lithium in camper cause you fear it will catch fire.

There are several lithium battery chemistries in use these days, and the lithium iron phosphate (LiFePo) used for RVs is not the fire hazard chemistry that others are. The risk is imaginary.

[Lwiddis]

“but if I can get by 2-3 days without it,” (the generator)

The above is the wrong attitude. A proper solar system fills the battery almost every day...not limps you along for 2-3 days.

[BurbMan]

Thanks guys, and yes I am BRAND new to truck campers. I see that Xantrex still makes the little 15a transfer switch that I used in the Terry with a 150 PSW inverter, and I'm planning the same here. Looking at this Samlex 300w PSW.Solar to keep the battery topped off during the day, and then the inverter to watch a little TV at bedtime. Haven't bought the TV yet but even the larger LCDs use like 30w. Don't have room for a very big one in the TC.

I still have the Honda 2000EUi, but if I can get by 2-3 days without it, that's one less thing to lug around. Getting used to less storage in the TC vs the TT.

[Bend]

Here are the major components for a 12v system (not MPPT) that would satisfy your group 27 batt and it is easily upgradable for more batt AH as what BFL13 mentioned for 220 AH (just add an identical second panel) :

Panel-
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QR9LMGM/?coliid=I2U5Y18TJD0KQB&colid=2ZBKPJ1MXQ6H5&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig...

State-of-the-art integrated PWM Controller & batt monitor-
http://www.bestconverter.com/Trimetric-Battery-Management-System_p_683.html

300w invertor-
http://www.bestconverter.com/Samlex-PST-300-12-Pure-Sine-Inverter_p_546.html

Good luck!

[ajriding]

The battery is really the big thing in tech that has advanced. Yes, a little risky to mount lithium in camper cause you fear it will catch fire.

Check out this full-timer's review of a couple of systems. He has a Jackery, which is a self contained power pack. A battery, controller and a small inverter in a box not much bigger than your existing battery, and it is lighter. It is portable, so you can take it out and use it, or store it wherever you want.
Down2Mob videos

If I was going to start from scratch I would consider this. The battery being a huge advantage in that it is light and you can discharge it a lot deeper than a GC battery and not damage it. Being able to discharge it deeper means you get more battery availability, so that one is now equal to two lead acid batts.

[Seattle_Steve]

RV With Tito is one of my favorite websites and youtube channels. He has a lot of information on many RV DIY and maintenance issues, and has done a lot of personal reviews on various solar products. He does not sell anything, so his info is really unbiased. Somewhere on his website he has a PDF document, almost a book, of solar setup information. I read it about a year ago and was really impressed.

[naturist]

the web site "mobile-solarpower.com" can be of enormous help. I have been following it for over a year, and it is constantly updated with newly recommended parts and sources.

[Lwiddis]

“The tech is moving so fast, stuff that's even a few years old is obsolete.”

I disagree. Sounds cool however. Biggest forward “jump” IMO was the introduction of MPPT controllers and that’s a while ago. PWMs still work well too.

[BFL13]

No idea about new solar tech, but nothing wrong with 10-5 year old tech and it is proven.

Meanwhile, in case you are new to TCs, you can carry more batteries. I just posted this earlier, so copied it here. You can carry two more batts on the passenger side too. Weight might be an issue if your truck is already struggling with the TC, but otherwise it works.

"With the 2003 truck same as yours and the TC we had, I carried two golf car batts in the bed driver's side up front. Had to stop the slide-in when the camper was by the wheel well to hook up the wiring, then slide in the rest of the way. Couldn't get at the batts once the camper was all the way in.

So you could do that plus still have your 27 in the camper. One of my set-ups was to have two 6s in parallel with one 12 for when camping. Separated at home between trips. Worked great.

Camper was off the truck most of the time, so the two 6s were off the truck too so we could use the truck for other jobs. Gives a chance to get at the batts for maintenance too (see the SG, and if need water)"