All ActivityMost RecentMost LikesSolutionsRe: Basic battery charging and solar question Boon Docker wrote: Yours batteries have got to be close to being depleted. I wouldn't do that long of a trip too often, as your battery life will be shortened dramatically. Yeah, we take a few long trips each year. That's why I'm considering solar as a charging option.Re: Basic battery charging and solar question webrx wrote: if you are going to go small, don't go less than 40 watts those little 10 and 15 watt trickle chargers were actually designed for cars to keep the radio memory from draining the battery, I have a 10 watt on top of my trailer that came with it, and while it may make up for parasitic loads, I dont trust it will top the battery off every day. I have a 40 watt and a 100 watt portable system. I used the 40 watt for years, and it would top off batteries by mid day or so the way we camped. The 100 Watt does the same only faster, usually before noon I am charged back up. d Thanks for the advice! We just got back from a 10 day trip with no hookups. We were able to use power slide out, awning, tongue jack, water pump, fridge and LED lights. All sparingly but we had enough juice by the end to close it all up with power. Now knowing that we are able to conserve very well, I think a 50W panel to top off the batteries will suffice.Re: Basic battery charging and solar question Almot wrote: Boins wrote: I think 15 watt trickle charger made by Battery Tender is what I'm looking for. I doubt. 15W is barely enough to provide the charge that your 2*6V lose in 24 hours due to self-discharge. Good for storage and nothing more. For your uses - lights, pump, slides - you need 80-100W solar. 100W Renogy suitcase $260. 100W solar kit $220. Single panel vs 2*50W of suitcase, less convenient. Prop it against the trailer tongue or make legs of PVC pipe. Or buy 100W solar panel (many places, Home Depot have some), plus 10A controller, plus some wire, can be done for $160-200 total. Thanks for the suggestions! Looks like I got a couple of options to consider.Re: Basic battery charging and solar questionThanks for the sources. I have a lot to learn about solar before getting something. I don't understand energy lingo so everything I'm reading feels like I'm reading a foreign language! EDIT: I think 15 watt trickle charger made by Battery Tender is what I'm looking for. I don't use appliances when camping, nor do I plan to. I just want to keep the batteries charged for the minor light use (all LED), power slide out, power jack and water pump.Re: Basic battery charging and solar question donn0128 wrote: How old is your trailer? I have kept my RVs plugged in 24/7 since 1976 with no seriour problems. Check battery water level monthly and quit worrying about things. Your dealer(I assume salesman) is an idiot. Its brand new, the guy who told me was the service tech.Basic battery charging and solar questionI have a Surveyor 245BHS with 2 6v batteries wired in series. The RV dealer told me that when I'm plugged in to charge, the trailer doesn't recognize when the batteries are fully charged and will keep charging. Off season, I always remove the batteries and periodically set 'em up with a battery tender. If the trailer does over charge, what is a simple option to create an automatic cut off once the batteries are charged. Also, I do a lot of dry camping and don't have a generator (I don't need to run the appliances or AC). Is there a simple solar setup that just gives a trickle charge to the batteries while camping? I'm not expecting a solar setup that does a fast recharge, just a trickle. I'm new to this aspect of battery maintenance and just don't know what things I need to do this properly. Thanks!Re: TRAILER ROLLED!!!Glad everyone is okay! Anyways, I uses Andersen Camper Levelers on the low side to level left and right. They are super easy to use and so far I've had no issues. For the other side of the trailer, I just chock the back of the rear tire and the front of the front tire. So far, this has worked fine. Video on how Anderson Camper Levelers work Amazon link to Anderson Camper Levelers EDIT: After reading other posts, I'm gonna add a between the tires chock system to my current setup. Something like the X-Chock Wheel Stabilizers I think.Re: Shorter trailer searchhttp://www.forestriverinc.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=203&Image=5387&ModelID=898#Main http://www.forestriverinc.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=203&Image=5387&ModelID=899#Main http://www.forestriverinc.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=221&ShowParent=1&ModelID=2807#Main No outside kitchens, but spring for a Camp Chef BBQ instead.Re: Bubbling on my TT roof. TucsonJim wrote: You might recheck your warranty. On my FW, the roof structure from the manufacturer is three years. The rubber roof membrane itself is manufactured Dicor. Its warranty is five years parts and labor, and 12 years on the parts. I sure will. If mine is anything similar, then I should be good to go.Re: Bubbling on my TT roof.Thanks for the input guys. I trust that something needs to be done about it. The dealer has been awesome and actually just emailed me to remind me that the warranty was going to expire soon so hopefully there won't be any issues getting the roof fixed.
GroupsTravel Trailer Group Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Jan 20, 202544,030 Posts