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swimmer_spe
Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
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My 2023 Cherokee Wolf Pup 22RR has a factory installed solar panel. Realistically speaking, can the trailer be used with the single battery installed without it dying?
I am thinking of installing a second battery. Except for the AC, what would I need for solar panels to not need a generatorfor the heat and 12V fridge(and lights)?
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Bobbo
Wherever I park
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Depends.
What size battery bank, in amps? (Also, lithium vs lead acid batteries?)
What size solar panel, in watts?
How much power, in amps, will you be using daily?
Will you be parked in full sun or shade?
What latitude are you in, say southern Florida vs northern Maine? (OK, that last one I know, your being in Canada and all. I put it in for others who may read this thread later with the same question.)
I just spent 10 days boondocking in Jackson Center, Ohio. I have 180 watts of solar on my roof. I was in full sun all day. I only had to use my generator once to recharge my batteries. That was due to a couple of days of heavy overcast/rain.
* This post was
edited 10/29/22 07:38am by Bobbo *
Bobbo and Lin
2017 F-150 XLT 4x4 SuperCab w/Max Tow Package 3.5l EcoBoost V6
2017 Airstream Flying Cloud 23FB
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Lwiddis
Southern California :(
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With wet batteries the starting point is one solar watt per battery amp hour. With Lithium and probable increased draw I believe 1.5 solar watts per battery amp hour is where you start. No penalty for extra solar panels.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad
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rjstractor
Maple Valley, WA
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Planning on using AC off solar/battery power for more than a few minutes is unrealistic, unless you have a huge array and battery bank. Factory solar/battery setups should handle most other needs if you have good sun exposure, but AC units demand lots of wattage.
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Lwiddis
Southern California :(
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The introduction of Lithium RV batteries made battery powered AC possible for short periods if you have the space for mounting them. However, recharging those batteries from solar just isn’t practical unless most of your roof is covered with panels and you are in good direct light. Since OP is in Ontario, not likely. With ten 100 watt panels putting out 50 amps…that’s six hours to recharge 300 or so AHs, and you’ll just not get that.
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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swimmer_spe wrote:My 2023 Cherokee Wolf Pup 22RR has a factory installed solar panel. Realistically speaking, can the trailer be used with the single battery installed without it dying?
I am thinking of installing a second battery. Except for the AC, what would I need for solar panels to not need a generatorfor the heat and 12V fridge(and lights)?
Hi swimmer,
Do an energy audit.
Replace all the incandescent lights with leds
This series of web articles may help:
https://freecampsites.net/adding-solar/
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.
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nickthehunter
Midwest
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Are you planning on camping in Canada in late October/early November with only solar - Good Luck!
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time2roll
Southern California
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The solar panel is just a method to charge the battery. Depleting the battery will depend on the sun, usage, panel wattage, battery size.
Read more here:
The 12 Volt Side of Life
Yes I recommend the second battery. Also a good time to review the charging system to make the most of the generator run time. Some converters are great, many are very slow and need 8 to 12+ hours to charge.
2001 F150 SuperCrew
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
675w Solar pictures back up
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swimmer_spe
Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
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OP here.
Many of you are posting without knowing what my trailer is equipped with. The questions about the battery, panel and other electrical questions do not help. I am not looking for someone to do math. I can do that.I am looking for someone who has one and knows what it can and cannot do.
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Boon Docker
Mountain Foothills of Southern Alberta
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I would say you need at least 200+ AH of battery and 400 watts of solar if using a 12v fridge, if you are boon docking.
Those fridges are real amp hogs.
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