100 watt Solar decision

[Brettmm92]

I'm planning on Boondocking for a few months, plan to run my phone, some lights and hopefully my refrigerator on a 100 watt solar panel charging the Travel Trailer Battery for a short time job.

After looking around I really like the harbor freight setup how it comes with lights and the charge controller has usb ports directly on it which makes me think that for my use, I wouldn't even need a power inverter. But I am pressed for time and don't have access to a harbor freight. I am going to rely on amazon shipping.

https://www.harborfreight.com/100-watt-solar-panel-kit-63585.html

But I see this on amazon and think it would be better cause of timely shipping but also I feel it would be more expandable in the future if I get serious about upgrading.


Amazon link renogy 100 watt Solar panel startup kit


I wish it was more like the Harbor freight where it came with lights and had usb ports on the charge controller as that's really all I need.

I was wondering if anyone had any insight on advice or maybe knows of a power inverter that would work for my situation.

I was also wondering if anyone knows if the harbor freight charge controller usb ports run directly from the panels or do they draw power from the battery or a mix of both. Specifically wondering when I could use lights from that. I could make a drive to a Harbor Freight but it really wouldn't be a cost effective or fun trip and it would suck if they didn't even have what I was looking for.

But I always appreciate y'alls input

[pianotuna]

Brettmm92 wrote:
After dedicating serious time looking around for batteries, I feel like out of accessibility interstate batteries might be the winner. Lots of people don't like shipping batteries, probably because they have heavy lead in them?

Lead-acid batteries are considered hazardous materials

Brettmm92 wrote:

And Pianotuna, why are you so interested in getting those SiO2 Batteries?

1. because they can be used and charged at -40.

2. because they share most of the attributes of LI batteries, especially they do not sulfate on partial charges.

3. 2800 cycles (7.6 years of daily use) to 50% state of charge or 1500 cycles (4.1 years of daily use) to 20% state of charge.

4. sealed so almost no maintenance.

5. the 100 amp-hour can handle a surge of 900 amps for 5 seconds. That, I believe is far better than LI can do. As I'll have 4 of them that becomes a surge of 3500 amps. At 50% that gives me capacity of 200 amp-hours and at 20% 320 amp-hours. At the moment I have 556 amp-hours of fairly old AGM Telcom jars. So the SiO2 represents an upgrade for usable storage. I do have room for six SiO2 and may do that.

6. 1/2 to 1/3 the price of LI

7. with that life span and me no longer being full time it should be the last set I ever need to buy.

[Brettmm92]

is this what you mean by stickyfeet?

stickyfeet bracket link

I'm glad you posted because making holes is one reason I am not considering mounting yet. I don't understand how people modify their Campers and are so confident that they won't drill through a wire. Is there a trick to figuring out where the wires are or something?

[Brettmm92]

After dedicating serious time looking around for batteries, I feel like out of accessibility interstate batteries might be the winner. Lots of people don't like shipping batteries, probably because they have heavy lead in them? Anyways, I live in a rural area and even I have a store that's an "interstate dealer" near me. But the terminals look a lil different than all of the other ones I've been looking at, surely they are still compatible with everything. Right?

Interstate 6v "Extreme Cycle" Battery


And Pianotuna, why are you so interested in getting those SiO2 Batteries?

[D_E_Bishop]

I bought a WindyNation 100 watt kit for about the same price, I also bouhgt a second panel and I am happy with what I have.

I used sticky feet to mount the pannel on my fiberglass roof. No holes but pretty spendy.

I suggest you search reviews not wib sites and find out what fits your needs.

[pianotuna]

Brettmm92 wrote:
I noticed that walmart sells golf cart batteries but the ones I saw where 12 volts.
Would that be just as good as two 6 volt golf cart batteries?

Walmart 12V Golf Cart battery

No, as it is only 60 amp-hours--i.e. you would need 4.

[Brettmm92]

I noticed that walmart sells golf cart batteries but the ones I saw where 12 volts.
Would that be just as good as two 6 volt golf cart batteries?

Walmart 12V Golf Cart battery

[Brettmm92]

Thanks for those links, I happened to see those but the drive is a bit far as I'm a very rural area. If I could get them shipped, I would probably get them that.

I never thought of auto parts store having them, but now that I think about it, it makes sense.

[Boon_Docker]

Try contacting you local Napa Auto store.

[pianotuna]

https://www.batteriesplus.com/search?facets=Voltage:6|Categories:Golf%20Cart&q=6V%20Golf%20Cart%20Ba...

Cheapest at the above url:

https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sligc110

[pianotuna]

2oldman wrote:
Try Trojan 6v. But they won't be under $200. Where did you get the idea to use SiO2 batteries?

2oldman,

From me. My next set (summer 2021) will be SiO2

[Brettmm92]

Thats funny because the Trojan is the specific battery that popped up for 1000$

trojan battery

Also, can you put 2 golf cart batteries in a series and a 12 volt battery together?

Because if I can get a 12 volt battery now i could just upgrade eventually if that's the case. But I either wanna go all in on the 12 volts or golf carts from the beginning if they can't be put together

And pianotuna recomended the SiO batteries.

[ppine]

Two batteries. 6 volt in series would be best.
Run your refrigerator on propane.
Get a quality MRRP controller.
I get by with 100 watts a lot of the time, but 200 w are good to have for crummy weather, winter and higher use days.
I charge appliances off a port on my radio with no inverter.

[2oldman]

Try Trojan 6v. But they won't be under $200. Where did you get the idea to use SiO2 batteries?

[Brettmm92]

I'm afraid I don't know anyone with samsclub card. And I definitely will have to convert to LED lighting, thanks for the reminder. And I truely am interested in installing two 6volt golf cart batteries but am having the hardest time searching for one. I google things like "6 volt battery" or "6 volt golf cart battery" and it shows a few that are like 1,000$, a pack of 6 thats 80$ and a bunch of other weird things. Is there something at a certain website that would make it easier?

If i can get two 6 volts for under 200$ it would be worth it to me. But I am using these as the battery for my travel trailer, but I'm assuming that wouldn't matter, right? Specifically considering the emergency brake

[pianotuna]

Do change out the commonly used incandescent lights for led ones. That may drop electrical consumption dramatically.