desertrush
pc, utah
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Joined: 03/24/2008
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Hello! I have been trying to research solar panels for boondocking. There seems to be a lot of good information and posts. However, just got a little confused.
I have purchased an E1 and got the two 6v batteries. So, I was wondering how much Solar Panel power will I need to keep those batteries charged? Most of my camping is in the desert, so sun shouldn't be a problem. Just want to keep the lights and accessories on...How much wattage do I need? I usually camp at a lenght of 3-6 nights. Other thoughts and advice?
Thanks much,
Mike
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Beacher
Long Beach, CA
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Joined: 05/07/2004
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desertrush wrote:....How much wattage do I need? I usually camp at a lenght of 3-6 nights. ....
A lot! Typically, at least 160 Watts worth of panel, exposed to full sunlight for 8 hours per day should just about keep them topped off, (assuming frugal usage of electricity).
You might want to visit RV Solar Electric. They will send you a nice free brochure for sizing up a nice system for your application.
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Keith M
Cle Elum
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Joined: 07/28/2002
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I think a typical setup would be a 120-135 watt panel and a 15 amp Morningstar controller. I have seen guys go a little cheaper and skip the controller as long as they are using the batteries regularly. Its risky though because you can ruin the batteries. The 130 watt panel would allow you to discharge the batteries a little deeper each day and run something like a TV, DVD or laptop. I think you could go cheap with a 40-80 watt panel and no controller. By the end of 6 days your batteries might be down a bit but I think they would be ok. You would of course need to monitor the batteries a couple of times a day and make sure the voltage doesnt go much over 14.0 in the summer. The Honda EU1000 or Yamaha EF1000 generator I personally think is a better alternative to start off with and then add the solar later if you think you need it.
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Nyssa
Colorado Springs
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Joined: 06/29/2006
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My 2009 Trailmanor has an 80 watt solar panel and monitor from the factory - works great! Don't know why I would need more. Unit has 2 6-volt golf cart batteries
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Qcampers
Long Beach, California
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Joined: 05/18/2006
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I used a 100watt panel which kept me good....before that one night of funace blowing would drain battery....RV Solar electric is where I got mine...with controller. Good luck
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R N R
Denver area
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Joined: 06/15/2003
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desertrush wrote:Hello! I have been trying to research solar panels for boondocking. .... how much Solar Panel power will I need to keep those batteries charged? Most of my camping is in the desert, so sun shouldn't be a problem. Just want to keep the lights and accessories on...How much wattage do I need? I usually camp at a lenght of 3-6 nights. Other thoughts and advice?
Thanks much,
Mike
It's an issue of how much power you need. If you have full accessories, AC, tv, coffee maker, etc. thru a hi-watt inverter, yes you'll need alot.
But if you're just going to use DC lights, water pump, and a radio (which is what I use) and maybe charge a laptop w/ an 300W inverter you can get by with much less. I've got 2-32W panels that keep my batteries charged almost indefinately. I typically go out for 3-7 days.
So ask yourself how much power do you need.
Steve & Sharon + 2 dogs
'99 ZR2 Blazer
'03 Chalet Arrowhead w/ bunk bed option (makes a great dog house)
Pics of our adventures.
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MrPressure
Texas
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Joined: 11/13/2006
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I went camping for 3 days recently. My 15w panel that stays home had been cycling between 13v and 14.?v (charge controller), so the single group 29 was fully charged.
After the 3 days I measured 12.8v, still fully charged.
I could have easily camped 3, 6 or 10 more days.
It's called conservation. "Just want to keep the lights and accessories on"
For how long?
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retiredtraveler
Woodstock Il --- GO HIKING!!!!
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Joined: 08/16/2002
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I have a small solar panel (see sig) and received the best advice from a posting I did a couple of years ago prior to getting the panel. Only YOU can determine what your needs are and you need to compute them.
You need to find the power draw of the appliances you expect to run including the 'phantom' draw of the propane detector and your water pump and whatever fans you are running. Then multiply out the watt-hours by how much you expect to be runnng these items so you can come up with some reasonable estimate of power needs. Otherwise, everyone is simply guessing. We have only a group 29 battery --- no 6 volt. We went for weeks running only a water pump and a light once in a while. The water pump was used for showers. No heater (the fan), and we generally used an electric lantern inside. During the day, I disconnected the battery so the propane detector did not draw anything.
So, try to figure out what you'll fun, or potentially run, and for how long in an 'average' 24 hour period.
Pup: 2007 Jayco 1206 w/slide-out + shower
surge brakes, 54w solar panel
TV: 2005 Nissan Xterra 4X4, manual trans
25 years tent camping, 4000+ miles of hiking, lots of biking
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Guest
USA
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Joined: 08/02/2004
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I'm with the above guy. If I had a dual 6v setup, I'd need NO solar power to camp 6 nights. We routinely do 4 nights on just a single G27 12v battery. Minimal lights, water pump, nighttime furnace set low. Never yet have I drawn it down below 12.1 volts.
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WaltinColo
Colorado Springs, Colorado
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Joined: 12/30/2005
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Ya, with my (2) 6 volts, i can run the furnace all night, as well as a CPAP machine, and still go 4 days easily....if i didnt have the CPAP machine, i could prob go a week.
My Trimetric 2020 battery monitor system tells me exactly whats going on with the batteries....
I only bring the genny along to recharge if we're camping for more then 4 days.
The 2 6volts Rock! 
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'06 AWD V6 Saturn Vue
'05 Jayco 1207
'07 22ft SunTracker Regency pontoon
Me, the wife, and the little guy....
...oh, and 1 loving, ready to go camping anytime, Black Lab
DAYS CAMPED SINCE PUP PURCHASE: 112
BEERS DRANK: 2374 
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