Roughly . . . what expertise does it take to install a solar elec. system so we can dry camp (using stereo, TV, microwave, sewing machine, lights) without using the generator?
1. What qualifications to install?
2. How may hours start to finish for an amateur?
3. What will it cost me to do the job correctly?
4. Any recommendations for resources for getting know-how?
5. Any recommendations of best system components, best prices, and where to buy?
Just rough estimates.
Thanks,
Tom
We've got a solar system on our Winnie, though it was there when we bought it used. We have 4 panels, with 4 batteries and a large inverter. It actually has enough power to run the A/C...which I found out accidentally, when the Daughter had it running while we were on the road. It would be ideal for boondocking!!
I'm sorry, I can't give you any expert advice, other than to look for books on the subject. I would expect that you will be investing a couple grand in the project, and the biggest concern will be keeping the water-proof integrity of the roof when you mount the panels.
Also, they recommend that you mount the panels, and set them to get the best angle for the sun, but mine are flat on the roof, and they work fine....and have a low profile.
The batteries (3 in the storage compartment, and the 1 under the stairs) are your storage system...get the good ones. You'll get that advice in the books. Check out RV Bookstore.com
Some pictures of what I have:
There are 4 panels!
Battery compartment...just to the left of the entry stairs, and the other coach battery. I want to make the board slide out, so that I can service the batteries easier.
Solar controls...I'm still learning about these myself...
Enjoy
DH Bill / DW Claudia / DD Jenn / DS Chris The Paps! Sophie, Abby, Brandy, Kahlie and Annie
2000 Winnebago "Minnie" 31C, Ford V-10
Purchased April Fools Day, 2008 The Pets
WOW! Running your AC on the inverter? My inverter powers one of the two 120VAC panels under the bed. The Roof AC that is on the panel the inverter powers has a relay that opens when the inverter is on keeping the AC from blowing the inverter out the side of the motorhome!
LOL
Robert McHenry
Concord, NH.
1993 Fleetwood 36' Pace Arrow
Cummins 8.3l Turbo 300hp (uprated)
Allison 3060 Trans http://dieselrvowners.com
Pappy had it just about right if you really want to get away from the generator. A typical set-up will have two golf cart batteries and a 135 watt solar panel as a starter. The panel is probably $640, the controller $200, batteries $150. Add another $100 or so for mounting hardware. Pappy had a very nice solar set up but it probably cost over $3600 not counting the invertor. Installation is pretty easy with wiring running through the roof to a spot above the refrigerator where the controller is mounted. Then the wires run down and under your rig to the batteries.
Solar is most often used by snowbirds and fulltimers who are camping off the grid typically in the desert SW in the winter. You can accomplish much the same thing that Pappy did by just buying a small generator and four golf cart batteries and putting a monitor on your batteries so you know when to shut the generator off. You could get a used Honda or Yamaha 1000 generator for $500 and four new golf cart batteries for $350. The Honda or Yamaha will run for 10 hours on a gallon of gas and can run day or night and doesnt depend on the sun. I would bring the batteries up to 13.6 volts daily and then run your tv or whatever. If noise is an issue get the Honda EU3000i even at $1800 its way cheaper than solar plus you can run an A/C. The Honda 3000i in the back of a truck charging batteries cannot be heard past 100 feet or so.
Your replies are really appreciated. Jmanatee, I especially liked the detail in your website. We want to go total solar. We have 11 acres at Mt. Shasta, CA and have no power except a 6500 watt Honda gen. We want to get away from using it because of noise and gasoline use. I want to give new found solar skills a try.
Thanks All,
Tom
If you just need the solar for a fixed location, I wouldn't install it on an RV. You can get much better performance if you can install the panels with proper orientation, and use higher voltages than 12 volts.
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