Figure out your total load that you want to power from the solar panels. If it is only a 20 watt boom box, then you only need a small 75 watt panel. But if you have a propane and carbon monoxide leak detector (required on modern RV's) the those loads and the refrigerator will consume about 35 amp hours a day, about what you can expect to gather with a single 75 watt panel in one day.
By the way, I recomend finding a battery powered boom box, they are much more energy efficient than a 12 volt car stereo. I found one that takes 8x D batteries, and hooked it up to a cigarette lighter plug. It is rated to take 12 volts from tiny (2.2 amp hour D cells) batteries and run for a week on 2.2 amp hours, so it barely uses any power to make reasonable amounts of sound.
You can also power the radio with a small inverter - find one without a fan, you will not need it to power a cell charger, laptop, or small radio at fairly low volume. It will even run a small TV if the wattage rating is high enough.
I have a pair of 120 watt solar panels that I bought from this place.
My original system that I still have is a pair of 45 watt panels from this place that has excellent sizing information and great instructions on how to install it yourself. RvSolarElectric.com
With 400 rated watts, I can watch many hours of TV each night, and still recharge the next day. I have 4 golf cart T-105 batteries to store the power, but in a camper I would recomend just two batteries, due to overall weight restrictions.
If you need to really limit the battery weight or size, consider the 87 pound 185 AH 5SH battery from Trojan. It is really compact and still a great deep cycle 12 volt battery. I used one in a manlift for many years.
Yes is is cheaper to use a generator than solar panels. However my solar panels are running for free right now, they have been paid for by saving me $20 a night dry camping in some of the most scenic places in the US! and for over 600 mights during the past 3 years. So 600 nights x $20 = $12,000 saved! All while in the comfort of my RV and able to watch as much TV as I want each night.
And the best thing about a solar panel is they are silent. And unlike a Honda 2000, the solar panels rarely ever get stolen when mounted to the roof of a RV. (well maybe they can be stolen while in a RV storage yard with no alarm).
Fred.
Money can't buy happiness but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche or Country Coach!
2003 Jayco 308fbs eagle 33' tt, towed by a 2003 Ram 3500 slt, quad cab dually, cummins diesel ho, trailer towing package, with 6 speed manual. Hauls better 1/2, 3 kids, myself, and a 2003 ez go clays car.. I have added so far, neon lights, clearance lights, back up lights, black light, lift kit, mud tires, and everything necessary to make the golf cart street legal. It's now ready to spend the winter in the garage for more mods. More neon, strobe lights, alarm, a pa system, maintance, and whatever else that comes along. This golf cart does wheelies and travels thru 7 inches of mud when need be. Two honda eu2000i gens twinned to supply the electrical power. Latest addition an 04 Honda Goldwing. [url]http://www.hometown.aol.com/rvnagain/myhomepage/profile.html[url]
....if that's really all you have, it'll be a cheap endeavor. Can you confirm that you are not using a fridge? If you are, it'll cost you considerably more to go solar to run it...
Get the biggest single solar panel that will fit on the roof; 100W plus. In the long run you will not be sorry for the added capacity as your life style changes.
Pete W4WWQ DX70 IC-2800 Smartire X-10 camera
2006 Chevy 3500 CC LB 4WD DRW Duramax auto-6
2003 Cardinal 29WB LX EU3000is Roto-Choks 300W from www.amsolar.com
Thanks for the replies!!! Looking into it and some of the cost, It's not going to be a quick overnight project. Everytime I pass one of those solar powered highway panels near some of the road comstruction sites, I think "wow..that would look good on the top of the camper....lol". I guess the first step is to gather my power requirements and go from there. I store it at facility and won't be able to get there till this weekend. Origionaly, I was thinking radio and lights. Now I'm also thinking about the fridge and water-pump and any outdoor lights.
I'll keep you posted and always..always appreciate tips on how I'm going to get this project rolling. I'm new to the truck camper world!!!
Thanks again, Kevin
Offline
