jacksonr
Tucson
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Joined: 07/04/2010
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I'm wondering how well those 15 watt solar panels work? Do they generate enough power to be worthwhile or are they a waste of $?
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mockturtle
WA
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Joined: 05/31/2005
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jacksonr wrote:I'm wondering how well those 15 watt solar panels work? Do they generate enough power to be worthwhile No or are they a waste of $? Yes.
2000 Born Free 24RB Class C
6.8L Ford V-10 Engine, E450 Chassis
2002 Honda CR-V toad
Roadmaster Sterling A/T towbar
VIP braking system
Eddyline Merlin kayak
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2oldman
Winchester WA
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Joined: 04/15/2001
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They are a 1amp battery charger which only works when the sun shines.
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j.p.f.
ga.
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Joined: 09/08/2005
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a 15 watt solar panel isn't right for mockturtle so it couldn't possibly have any value or use for anybody else.
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eddie3260
Florence, al
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Joined: 05/26/2007
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I use a low watt panel to keep a trickle charge on my battery when not in use. Keeps my batteries topped off and they are good to go when it's time to camp. Other than this, it is pretty much useless as a power source.
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smkettner
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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jacksonr wrote:I'm wondering how well those 15 watt solar panels work? Do they generate enough power to be worthwhile or are they a waste of $?
Good to keep one or two batteries topped up during storage.
I used one on four batteries for several years but did not really keep up. Held 13.4v max often a little less. Battery must be fully disconected.
2001 F150 SuperCrew
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
675 watts solar
Send a PM if I missed something
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Crazy Ray
Monroe,La
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Waste of MONEY> JMO
RET ARMY 1980, DW Donna , "Tiny" (furkid)  . Class A, 2007 Bounder 35E, Ford Chassis, 4 SAMS 6VOLTS,405W Solar,TriStar 45 Controller,1750W INVERTER, YAMAHA 2400, TOW: Honda CRV. READY BRAKE. "Living Our Dream". NASCAR FAN 14,18,20,11 LOVE CO & NM
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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Depends on WHY you want them. They make great trickle chargers to keep a charged battery charged. I have several, they work great.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Australian Shepherd
2010 Ford Expedition TV
2010 Outback 230RS Toybox, 5390# UVW, 6800# Loaded
Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories
I can't be lost because I don't care where this lovely road is going
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mockturtle
WA
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j.p.f. wrote:a 15 watt solar panel isn't right for mockturtle so it couldn't possibly have any value or use for anybody else. The OP asked Quote:Do they generate enough power to be worthwhile . While there is a difference of opinion, most people would agree that he would be wasting his money. If you think they are worthwhile, then you can give him your opinion. 
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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Yes I agree that a 15 watt panel is pretty much worhtless.
One reason is that the RV will be consuming more than 35 AH per day. I have a e-meter, it measures the amperage going into and out of the batteries, and shows that I use 35 amp hours per day just running the refrigerator, CO and propane monitors.
The 15 W panel might be able to put back 5 AH daily, or 1/10 the use of a RV when you are not running much lights, or any furnace time. Each hour of furnace time is equal to the total input from a 15 watt panel on a clear summer day, winter is about 1/2 as much power only when in clear sunlight, not overcast.
SunElec.com sells a 195 watt panel for $263. It will meet most of your 12 volt needs, and keep the battery full while in storage, so it can last a really long time (provided you keep it full of water). And there will not be hard sulfur deposits on the battery plates, so it will recharge easiely, and last longer.
Fred.
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