greenrvgreen
open road
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Joined: 09/05/2007
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I've been mulling solar power for some time now (and pestering you good folks with questions), but only lately have I really seen how it fits into the picture. Many people here seem to use solar to stretch the time between generator recharges, basically as a float charge.
So. In a perfect world I would want 15-20 amps of charging power(at the battery). But given all the variables this is a ridiculous number of panels, right? Others have said solar is something to get into in stages, so I'd like to start with one or two big panels.
--What is the "typical" 12-hour power factor from an 8-amp panel? Is it 50% (4-amps)?
--Where can I get this stuff CHEAP? Is there a source for used panels?
--What's a good controller, cheap but with room to grow?
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2oldman
WA
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Joined: 04/15/2001
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greenrvgreen wrote:I would want 15-20 amps of charging power(at the battery).
--Where can I get this stuff CHEAP? Is there a source for used panels? 360w of panels (3) would do that, but only a few hours per day. Cheap? Nope. Only damaged panels are cheap.
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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Joined: 04/21/2005
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And please remember that a hugh solar array will do you no good unless you have sufficient storage capacity to go along with it. Somewhere I recently read that for every 75 watts of solar you need a battery of sufficient capacity to store that energy.
Donn
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robatthelake
Vancouver Island
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Joined: 08/24/2003
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Ok Green RV,
First none of this stuff is cheap! So Shop around until You find a system that fits Your Budget and provides the desired results!
Here's what we have! It works well for Our situation but may not work for You!
We Have 3 Flat Mounted 75 Watt Panels providing regulated charging to 3 Pairs of Golf Cart batteries! I was told that I didn't need the regulator , but I chose to install it anyway!
When We drive from place to place the Engine Alternator quickly charges the House and Coach Batteries. While We are Parked the Solar Charger is keeping the House Trickle Charged. The Coach Starting Battery is switched Off!
We run Lights to a Minimum but do have the TV And Satellite Receiver turned on for 3 to 4 Hours each Evening and We charge the Laptop and Cel Phone whenever they need it! We find that Any device that creates Heat draws too much so We have learned Not to Use Them! This includes Microwave, Coffee Maker Etc. If We have to We will start the Genset for these Appliances.
We have been Using this System for 4 Years Now with No regrets!
Rob & Jean 90 Southwind John Deere/Oshkosh/Freightliner Class A Ford 460/ Toad 92 Tracker 2 wd 5sp Convert Still running Great!
" Everything in it"Still" Works"
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ASA Glamis
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
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Joined: 03/19/2007
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I camp in the desert and never in campgrounds and my solar array keeps my batteries charged up all the time.
I have two 155 watt panels with a MMP controller. My controller has an auxiliary output to charge the starting battery once the house batteries are charged. We use lights, heater, and TV each night and the batteries are usually completely recharged by noon each day. Even when it’s cloudy they will be recharged the following day.
As a previous poster said this solar stuff is not cheap. My system cost about $1700 and I made the tilting panel brackets and installed all the equipment myself.
If you primarily stay in campgrounds this expense is probably not justified but if normally don’t stay in campgrounds solar is the way to go.
If you are only concerned with keeping the batteries charged during storage than a small 20 to 50 watt panel is perfect. I have a 10 watt panel on my pontoon boat to keep its battery charged.
2007 Jayco Seneca 35GS
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SCVJeff
Santa Clarita, CA.
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Joined: 07/28/2006
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I have 300W on the roof feeding 4ea. U-2200 6V GC's. and am still learning how to really "use" the panels vs. a generator charge. Flat on the roof I saw a constant 18A at the beach last weekend, even with partial clouds. And a brief spike beyond 20A with a hole in the fog. With the $$ of fuel these days I'm sure a lot more folks are realizing it may not be such an outrageous thing. My xmas present will be an additional panel
Jeff - WA6EQU
'06 Itasca Meridian 34H, CAT C7/350
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jolooote
Miami, FL
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Joined: 01/29/2002
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Harbor Freight has the Old type panels. 3, 15 watt panels(45 watts)for $179. The old type are less efficient than the new ones, but ya can't beat that price anywhere.
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kcabpilot
CA
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Joined: 04/07/2008
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Another couple of things to consider:
We rarely (if ever) camp in an open spot that is fully exposed to the pounding sun. We're normally nestled in amongst some trees of one sort or another. Solar panel efficiency is also affected by the sun's angle so to get the optimal utility out of those expensive panels you'd not only need to be in the open but also situate your camper properly and have an adjustable tilt mount for the panels.
1994 Lance 990 on 1997 F350 PSD Dually
We also have a 'truck' that FLYS
Our 2008 trip to The Canadian Rockies
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