Forum Discussion

Aluminum_Siding's avatar
Aluminum_Siding
Explorer
Jun 02, 2014

Solar Question

Hi Friends.

I'd like to pick up a portable solar power system like a Go Power. I'm considering the 120 w system.

Basically here is my situation. We camp at the beach on the sand for up to 4 days. We start with fully charged batteries. I run a couple of lights for a total of 4 hrs, the water pump, and we watch about 2-3 movies in a day. 19 inch TV with a cigarette lighter inverter and Ipod plugged to the tv loaded with movies (no DVD player)and another Ipod for tunes with the TT outdoor speakers. That's about it. I run my whisper gene for 60 min in the am and about 2 hrs in the evening and this keeps us fully charged meeting the previous requirements. I'm looking to cut out the gene altogether. I'd like to basically keep my batteries fully charged throughout the day and get us through the night. Again a couple of lights 2 to 3 movies (kids) and the water pump and tunes. What watt do you think will suffice. I've read that the Harbor Freight 45 Watt system would do just fine and I've read that I need more like 120 Watt etc. Any experience or help would be great. Lastly I have two 12v deep cycle. thanks a bunch! Mike
  • AlbertaNewbie's avatar
    AlbertaNewbie
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2014
    120w is a good start, and with the gopower charge controller at 30amps you can always add more if you find it insufficient.
  • hmknightnc's avatar
    hmknightnc
    Explorer
    Jun 02, 2014
    Based on your use 120watts might do it. I used to have 125w did pretty well but now have 265 watts and don't even worry about power if not using AirCond.
  • Aluminum_Siding's avatar
    Aluminum_Siding
    Explorer
    Jun 02, 2014
    Thanks everybody. I want portable so It will be perfectly in the sun even if I'm in the shade. Most of the time It'll be set up on the roof so it wont walk away. My tt has no ladder. I carry one that I keep locked under the trailer while camping. Anyway thanks again for the help.
  • Tom_M1's avatar
    Tom_M1
    Explorer
    Jun 02, 2014
    I opted for a semi-portable setup and mounted my panels on the side of my coach. I can remove the panels and set them in the sun using an extension cable. If I am parked with the panel side facing the sun I can leave them attached.





  • JiminDenver's avatar
    JiminDenver
    Explorer II
    Jun 02, 2014
    Fixed or portable, both have advantages and disadvantages. We have a 230w portable system and hope to get a 490w mounted system going this year. Last year the sun came at 6am to noon and then it clouded up, so I will keep the portable with us to take advantage of that until I know the mounted system will cover our needs.

    A portable system tracking the sun all day is worth twice the watts flat mounted. A mounted system is hands off and always running. It will keep your batteries charged in storage and even while you are on the road.

    You can find less expensive portable kits as well as good prices on panels at Solarblvd.com and they may be close enough to you to pick up in person.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Jun 02, 2014
    Hi,

    The smaller the bank the closer to 150 watts per 100 amp-hours of storage you need. I would not recommend 120 watts. It may not be enough capacity.

    I, too, prefer fixed installations. They can't "walk away".

    Aluminum Siding wrote:


    Awesome. Thank you! I have less storage with 2 12 v so maybe the 120 w. The DW says next commission get what ever I want since we camp every 3 weeks and it's an investment in our relaxation. I hate running my gene. It's a whisper and I still hate it. Exhaust and it still makes noise. I don't like to disturbed the neighbors either.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Jun 02, 2014
    Instead of a portable kit, I'd suggest you mount the module on the roof, less hassle and as long as the sun is shining, you're making power.

    Definitely use the spreadsheet program Pianotuna linked to and don't forget the parasitic draws like alarms, radios, and circuit boards (frig, h2o heater, etc).

    Go Power makes some good product but you will get more bang for your buck by buying the components individually. When you are ready to design and implement solar, post a thread in the "Tech Issues" section of this Forum. Lots of solar users hang there.
  • Tequila's avatar
    Tequila
    Explorer
    Jun 02, 2014
    start by changing all your bulbs to LED. Makes a big difference.
  • Aluminum_Siding's avatar
    Aluminum_Siding
    Explorer
    Jun 02, 2014
    pianotuna wrote:
    Here is a simple flow chart.

    Budget-->Energy Audit-->Battery bank size-->number of watts-->PWM or MPPT. What ever type of controller is chosen, make sure it has adjustable set points and a temperature probe that is on the battery.

    One rule of thumb is between 60 and 150 watts of panels per 100 amp-hours of storage. The smaller the battery bank the higher the wattage needed (per 100 amp-hours). Here is a link to the rather special spreadsheet which includes an energy audit, that N8GS has created to help size solar battery charging systems!

    Solar Spread Sheet N8GS

    For a nice explanation of solar, try this link:

    Golden rules of solar


    Awesome. Thank you! I have less storage with 2 12 v so maybe the 120 w. The DW says next commission get what ever I want since we camp every 3 weeks and it's an investment in our relaxation. I hate running my gene. It's a whisper and I still hate it. Exhaust and it still makes noise. I don't like to disturbed the neighbors either.

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