Solar assistance

[Oscar_P]

I have a solar panel that is rated at 315w@9a. My converter in the camper is a BW Model 6406, which apparently means it will allow me to run off of batteries for my electrical needs, but will not charge the batteries. I'm trying to set up a solar system, but am over my head with the information I've been gathering and I know I will run out of time before I get it all narrowed down and installed, so could y'all lend a little assistance?

I'm trying to figure out a decent set of batteries to run and which inverter to get to charge the batteries. My electrical needs are not huge, 3 lights that will have LED bulbs soon and one furnace fan. Electrical will not be used during the day, lights will only be used for about 1-2 hours max and furnace ran as long through the night as possible. I'll be boon-dock camping in the Colorado mountains, so no option of shore power for recharge and wanting to fight off the sub 32* nights.

Can anyone help guide me to the proper size batteries and inverter needed to be a close to self sustaining system working with what I already have? I'm not asking for anyone to do the shopping for me, just getting confused on the exact specs I need for this.

[fitznj]

I have the following:

2 x 12V Walmart (group 26?) batteries
2 x ~130W Solar panels
1 MPPT controller

I camp at state/ferderal parks with no hookups and have only once run
out of electricity (when we had 3-4 days of clouds); I have all LED lights and use a Buddy Heater to warm up the camper - I am careful to minimize my use of the furnace.

I do carry generator during the winter months when electrical loads are higher.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

If the panel is 315 watts @ 9 amps then the voltage is about 35. To be used efficiently that may require an MPPT charge controller.

This series of articles may help:

https://freecampsites.net/adding-solar/

[mkirsch]

An inverter is used to take 12V DC from a battery and turn it into 120V AC power to power devices that are not available as 12V DC devices. That is not what you need to charge the batteries.

[donn0128]

You need to match battery capacity to panel capacity. Basically a 125 watt panel should be OK for two 12VDC batteries. 250 watts of panels will give you a bit of margin on cloudy rainy days. Be sure to include a good charge controller to your system. You will wire the solar directly to the batteries. The batyeries then will power your house systems.

[Oscar_P]

I'm thinking I have room for two batteries in the system, but not sure if they should be 12v or 6v for my application.

6v seems to have the greater Ah ratings, but there has to be an advantage to running the 12v since that seems to be standard for most people's setups.