Quick solar question

It cost me $30.00 per month just to leave my 5th wheel plugged in at my mountian property over the winter when i am not there. Now at my home i pay 25% more for electrict. With my TC 200W system i dont need to plug the TC in to keep the batteries charged. I guess there really is a payoff.

Take a look at the renogy solar suitcase models....now look at their flexible panels....now think about making your own aluminum frames for the flexible panels and you have your own lightweight, break proof, solar suitcase. Easy to store next to the dinette when rolling and sets up in 2 minutes when you park.

For such a small level of use I would think that 200w on the roof and a few batteries in the bank would have you good to go pretty much forever.

Going on bank alone is very doable at low levels. With no high power inverter loads I would think a pair of golf cart batteries would be a good choice. You will need to have them connected to the truck systems or have a generator for when they do need to be brought back up with out hook ups.

Higher voltage for less drop is a good idea for a portable but I can tell you that if you move often, a big panel would get to be a hassle fast. You can get the higher voltage desired by running a hinged pair of smaller panels in series.

I read the post about increasing the battery situation instead of going solar. It was very informative. Since we never plan to boondock more than 7 days in a row, perhaps all we need are more batteries.

Now if that is the way I will go, I must figure our where to place them and how many, what kind to use. I have read several sources on what kind. So much to consider.

Del

delosholly wrote:
You all are giving me a lot to think about. With the cost of a solar system, I want to make the best choice I can. I had not even considered the panels being used to charge the batteries while driving as I thought the truck does that.
I had thought about the theft possibilities, but let me ask one more thing:
We have camped in many areas with large animals roaming freely, from white tail deer up to elk and bison. Has anyone had a large animal or even a person/vehicle damage their portable panels?
Del

Actually, your truck and solar panels can charge your battery bank at the same time. When your battery bank reaches it’s full charged state, their controllers will clip off the excess.

You might consider the alternatives to adding solar, when less expensive alternatives are available that might better meet your needs.

Why Solar

Also, like needing to get up and walking the dog before you wish to get up in the morning, Solar will start working before you set them out for the morning, when permanently mounted.

Where I was stationed this summer, two separate 5th Wheel campers had their Solar panels trampled by the herd of Elk that frequented our area this summer. While it is rare, it does happen. Personally I would be more concerned with my clumsy handling, storing, hail, wind, theft, overspending per dollar to watt or transporting them than danger from wildlife.

Tom_M wrote:
I don't know if it's feasible for a truck camper but I mounted two panels on the side of my coach and a third on the roof.



Slide show of my install

Depending on the season and the location you are wanting to use your solar panels, you can virtually install them anywhere on your TC you wish too. Even to the point you can run your A/C for a few hours.

b

Thanks for all of the comments. I have a lot of homework to do on this topic (as well as the topic of batteries).

My wife and I currently do not use much in the TC that is electric, mostly the water pump and, it is my understanding that even on gas, the fridge requires some current, when we are dry camping.

Del

Tom_M wrote:
I don't know if it's feasible for a truck camper but I mounted two panels on the side of my coach and a third on the roof. The side panels can be easily removed and set out in the sun or left in place if that side is toward the sun. The larger panel is a flexible panel that I mounted in a frame. It is 160 watts and weighs only 12 pounds.




Slide show of my install

That is an interesting approach , I have the think on that for a while.

Shadow Cather is correct. For a portable panel, get a higher voltage panel, then the power drop over distance will not be an issue.

I used a portable-only system for years on my two toy haulers. I now have a Class A and have placed two panels on the roof and have one portable.

Never had one stolen. No animal ever tipped it over. The wind got it once.

If you are worried about theft, you can attach a cable to it. There is a company called CableAlarm that had a cable that would sound an alarm if cut. I don't know if they are still in business.

The panels can be difficult to store.

I vote for one permanent and one portable.

Solar is great

Do it!

Bill

I don't know if it's feasible for a truck camper but I mounted two panels on the side of my coach and a third on the roof. The side panels can be easily removed and set out in the sun or left in place if that side is toward the sun. The larger panel is a flexible panel that I mounted in a frame. It is 180 watts and weighs only 12 pounds.

We have both fixed and portable. The portable is a Unisolar 136W intended for 24V system putting out 33V.
One of the concerns in a portable is voltage drop, long wire, not big enough wire gauge, the use of a higher voltage side steps that issue. I set mine up with plug ends so I can use various length 10ga cords.