Posted 2009-07-07 4:24 PM (#107661) Subject: Solar Power in Goosneck
Member
Posts: 5
Location: Henderson, NV
Hey I was wondering if anyone has used solar power in their Goosnecks. Or if they know how to make the panels themselves.
I purchased an 06 Trails West 3horse slant Adventurer MX model and love it. I am trying to make a place to hang for the kids (TV, Fan things like that) when I am at a Barrel race or something like that. Do they have window fans that would fit in the windows on the side in the tack area?
I would also love to see what everyone else has done with the goosneck area. I want to put a bed with cabnets on the sides and front.
Posted 2009-07-07 8:30 PM (#107669 - in reply to #107661) Subject: RE: Solar Power in Goosneck
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
Look at a ShurFlow or Fan Tastic Cieling vent to move some air through your trailer. I've not tried any of the window fans.
You can buy Solar chargers to charge your batteries, But you will still need batteries to hold the charge and run any 12v devices in the trailer. For what you pay for a serious solar panel you can purchase a reasonable generator and have power during the sunlight and at night.
If you want to run TV, Microwaves, coffee makers etc, You will want shore power connection or a generator.
Posted 2009-07-08 1:21 AM (#107675 - in reply to #107661) Subject: RE: Solar Power in Goosneck
Veteran
Posts: 177 Location: East London South Africa
I have two 110 amp/h batteries in my weekender, and installed a solar charger....and all I can say is dont bother...it is not nearly strong enough to charge the batteries...not unless you pannel the whole roof with solar cells...its not worth the bucks....get a small generator. I bought a Yamaha EF1000 - its very quiet and runns on about a smell of an oil rag.
Posted 2009-07-08 9:03 AM (#107680 - in reply to #107661) Subject: RE: Solar Power in Goosneck
Veteran
Posts: 197 Location: MT
They make quiet run generators now that you can barely notice. I've had a regular generator around all my horses at rodeos and after the first couple times the horses don't even care anymore. But to run microwave, a/c and all of those kind of things I would buy at least a 3000watt. I have 5,000watt but it doubles as back up power for house if we ever need it.
Posted 2009-07-08 9:26 AM (#107681 - in reply to #107661) Subject: RE: Solar Power in Goosneck
Regular
Posts: 83
I have 4 deep cycle batteries running under my gooseneck, then connected them to 2 dual chargers. In the inside of my trailer I have a cigarette lighter plug in for each one of the batteries. I run water pumps, lights, 12 volt fans, etc. on the batteries and they last a long time if you alternate them.
I don't want to mislead you though, I also have a honda eu3000 and air conditioner. The battery powered stuff works great for inbetween power/generator hookups. Two small 12volt fans running overnight work great for the quiet time at the campgrounds, after the ac has been running during the day. It takes a quite a while to charge those batteries back up with 110 V. I would think solor would take a real long time.
On a side note, a quiet honda/yamaha generator is worth every penny. Nothing worse than one of those loud generators at a horse camp at dusk. Kind of defeats the purpose.
Posted 2009-07-08 1:12 PM (#107692 - in reply to #107661) Subject: RE: Solar Power in Goosneck
Elite Veteran
Posts: 648 Location: Coconut Creek, FL
how well do you think the solar panels would work to keep the battery charged when the trailer is not in use? I have a small LQ and it only has 1 battery. I board and cannot keep the trailer plugged in all the time.
I bought a solar charger (which arrived today) and would like to install it and leave it wired when the trailer is not in use. I have a generator to use during campouts. I bought the charger from campingworld.com it's a Sunforce 15 watt solar charger
Posted 2009-07-08 1:38 PM (#107694 - in reply to #107661) Subject: RE: Solar Power in Goosneck
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 522 Location: Tucumcari NM
As to the solar power issue, I have a solar setup that I wouldn't trade for anything. Yes, you do have to have batteries, and you do have to install enough panels to provide the quantity of electricity you need. The units are silent, there is no gasoline to haul, and the solar setup is virtually maintenance free. My batteries charge even during light snowfall. The solar panels have come a long way in the last few years, and the price has come down signifantly. You need to talk to a professional and tell them what appliances you will be running. They can figure out for you how many panels will be needed. I run everything except the microwave and air conditioner. For air conditioning, on most days a portable evaporative cooler does a fine job here in the arid southwest. This cooler runs fine on solar power alone. Only on extremely humid days do I need to run AC.
Posted 2009-07-08 2:34 PM (#107696 - in reply to #107692) Subject: RE: Solar Power in Goosneck
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by Dunoir on 2009-07-08 10:12 AM
how well do you think the solar panels would work to keep the battery charged when the trailer is not in use? I have a small LQ and it only has 1 battery. I board and cannot keep the trailer plugged in all the time.
I bought a solar charger (which arrived today) and would like to install it and leave it wired when the trailer is not in use. I have a generator to use during campouts. I bought the charger from campingworld.com it's a Sunforce 15 watt solar charger
A solar panel will do well to keep a battery charged. Especially a 15 watt panel.
BUT you will need a charge controller. Otherwise the panel will overcharge the battery... cooking it to death.
Posted 2009-07-08 2:49 PM (#107697 - in reply to #107661) Subject: RE: Solar Power in Goosneck
Elite Veteran
Posts: 648 Location: Coconut Creek, FL
Hosspuller
yes - I bougt the model that has the controller with it. I'll open it up tonight and read the directions. We get a lot of rain down here during the summer, but I am hoping it can handle it. Would you suggest leaving it hooked up anytime I'm not using the trailer, or just hook up occassionally for a week or so?
When I do use the trailer during the summer for day rides only (too hot to camp) I really don't use the battery for anything as I'm not turning on lights and I hook the trailer to the truck before using the hydraulic hitch. But I need to keep it charged and then especially for camping season Oct - April
Posted 2009-07-08 3:22 PM (#107701 - in reply to #107697) Subject: RE: Solar Power in Goosneck
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by Dunoir on 2009-07-08 11:49 AM
Hosspuller
yes - I bougt the model that has the controller with it. I'll open it up tonight and read the directions. We get a lot of rain down here during the summer, but I am hoping it can handle it. Would you suggest leaving it hooked up anytime I'm not using the trailer, or just hook up occassionally for a week or so?
When I do use the trailer during the summer for day rides only (too hot to camp) I really don't use the battery for anything as I'm not turning on lights and I hook the trailer to the truck before using the hydraulic hitch. But I need to keep it charged and then especially for camping season Oct - April
Since you have a charge controller, I would just leave the panel connected. It'll keep the battery charged, as it self-discharges. The controller will prevent overcharging if it does its job. ( I assume the trailer is NOT parked under a shed... LOL )
Google ... " lead acid batterry maintenance" for more details on why & how
Solar Power in Goosneck
