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Veteran
Posts: 264
 
Location: Sumas Washington | I just got home from 5 weeks in Montana, the first trip out with the solar panels on the trailer. I installed 2 90W panels and a Morningstar controller. I do not have any entertainment (TV or Radio) in the coach as I prefer to read. But I run the Fantastic fan all night every night. The solar easly charged the batteries during the day for the next nights use. My longest single stay was 10 days in one spot without starting the generator.. I am convinced that not only will I have all the 12v power I need but the batteries should last much longer also..
Edited by gonzo1066 2012-07-28 11:06 PM
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Expert
Posts: 5870
 
Location: western PA | Sounds like you have a workable system that many people would like to duplicate. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 524
Location: Lone Oak, Tx | I have a 40w on top of mine and I never have a battery issue. Always have power. Can run the fan in the LQ all night if need be and leave my porch light on. Solar systems are the way to go. I would recommend if you can do it, to use a pair of 6volt (golf cart) batteries as they tend to have more amp hours and can get the most out of your panels. Just a suggestion. |
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 Expert
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Location: NY | this is nice to know |
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Member
Posts: 14
Location: SW Virginia | I found this thread and had been thinking about asking about the solar systems folks used. Thought bumping this one might make it easier since folks could say how or why their systems were different from what was commented on here.BTW how hard is it to install solar systems? Is it something a neophyte with decent instructions could manage? |
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Veteran
Posts: 140
Location: NM | I am very interested too and will be stalking this thread... |
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Regular
Posts: 98
Location: MD | I have an 18-watt panel (easy to install) that I plug in and put on top the GN when parked. I have 6 1-amp interior lights, a 15amp water pump and porch light. When it's hot I can run a Fantastic fan all night. I've been on 5-day trips and never had any trouble keeping my 80 amp battery charged. I suppose those that want to run a bunch of stuff need more but the 18-watt single panel kit does a great job for my needs. |
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Veteran
Posts: 140
Location: NM | Where did you get your kit RidnClyde? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373
Location: Texas | We had solar that came with our last trailer. I took a pic of the tag on the unit, so I will share what it was.....Siemens SM50-H. It was 50 watt, and seemed to do great for our 2 batteries. The install did not look tough. Screwed thru roof, wires ran down to the ASC battery charge regulator, then to batteries. But I'd like to know more too, as considering a unit for current trailer |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 304
| Whats a good website to get an education on Solar Panels? I am interested in getting some for Trailer and maybe home, but don't know anything about them. I want to study up before purchase on things like capacity, recover rate, hardware and installations. I use a fair amount of elect when camping, fan, Tv/dvd, radio/cd,phone/ipad chargers,coffee pot,cooktop,water pump. Want to make sure I buy the right stuff the first time. |
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Location: KY | Gonzo1066 Where can one purchase panels and controller like yours? Is this a do-it-yourself type installation or should it be done be a professional? Thanks! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 657
Location: Rayne, LA | Rocky I noticed you said coffee pot. Is that not 115 volt? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 304
| Yes my Mr. Coffee is 115v. So are my TV, Blue Ray Player, Phone / Ipad Chargers, Ipod Dock,Tooth Brush. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 657
Location: Rayne, LA | So a generator still would be required at some points. |
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Regular
Posts: 98
Location: MD | Sorry Bells, just popped back on after being gone a while. Anyway, I bought a Coleman 18W with 12-volt solar battery charging kit. If you Google it, it's available from multiple sources and runs around $80. You can get 1-1.25 amps back per hour on a sunny day and the controller keeps it from overcharging. I always start my trips with a full battery. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420
Location: Florida | There is tons of solar information on the web. Much is well beyond my ability to want to comprehend. Bottom line I wanted charged batteries all the time. Basically I do not want to worry about my 12v power source. I still use a generator for AC and coffee. Thats my contribution to leaving a carbon footprint along with the dually :) Seriously though I purchased a 125w solar panel with a charge controller, wire and connectors as a package from EBay for a great deal. I searched the bundles and found the Windy Nation bundle came with just enough wire to make the run from the panel to the charge controller and then to the batteries. I also called Sierra and they were more than happy to share with me the optimal location and process to open up their panels accessing the roof and hiding the wires neatly. I really like the application. Worth the effort and expense. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 304
| I do not have a generator, but one would be required for High Amp appliances like AC, Microwave/Convetion Oven, Ceramic Heaters. But I run all the low watt stuff mentioned off the batts. |
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Veteran
Posts: 140
Location: NM | Thanks RidnClyde - that is very helpful! |
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Member
Posts: 15
Location: Scottsdale, AZ | I ended up with portable solar unit that would charge my computer so I can extend my camp trips, and be used in different trailers. One company posted a worksheet to help defive the amps you need based on what you run off the solar. | Example | | | | | | Appliance | Req Amps | Hrs/day | amp/hours | Therefore, A typical 120W solar system will produce about 65 amp/hours of day of energy which, in your case, would be just enough to satisfy your energy demand. A smaller system could be used if you were to find ways to conserve. A roof top system of this size would be comprised of just one solar panel. Or, if you didn’t want holes in your roof, a portable system would work well also. Either way, the cost would be somewhere in the $600-$800 range, or less than a typical generator. | | Propane Fridge | .5 amps | 24 hours/day | 12 | | Propane water heater | .25 amps | 24 hours/day | 6 | | Propane alarm (sniffer) | .25 amps | 24 hours/day | 6 | | 3 standard RV lights | 4.5 amps | 4 hours/day | 18 | | 12V TV | 4 amps | 4 hours/day | 16 | | Laptop Computer (w/12v adapter) | 4 amps | 2 hours/day | 8 | | | TOTAL | 66 |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420
Location: Florida | I did a quick search and came up with the 100 watt kit (I purchased the 125 watt kit) all in all for a horse trialer or an RV this has proven to be worth the value. It comes with everything you need except the battery terminal connectors. http://www.ebay.com/itm/COMPLETE-KIT-100-W-Watt-100W-Photovoltaic-PV-Solar-Panel-12V-RV-Boat-Off-Grid-/251349256079?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a8595478f#ht_3738wt_806 |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373
Location: Texas | Anyone know if some are tougher than others to stand up to things like Hail, bumping branches etc? |
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Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA | I have 100-amp interior lights, a 25 amp water pump and porch light REALLY ? |
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Expert
Posts: 3853
Location: Vermont | Originally written by gard on 2013-12-05 11:19 PM I have 100-amp interior lights, a 25 amp water pump and porch light REALLY ?  |
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Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA | Definitely not realistic numbers |
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Regular
Posts: 98
Location: MD | Gard, are you talking about my post? I wrote above "I have 6 1-amp interior lights, a 15amp water pump and porch light." Nothing like the crazy numbers you're talking about unless I'm missing something!! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 657
Location: Rayne, LA | I don't see the post that Gard is referring to either, but whoever they are must be scared of the dark and can take one hell of a shower (lol) |
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Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA | Gard, are you talking about my post? I wrote above "I have 6 1-amp interior lights, a 15amp water pump and porch light." Nothing like the crazy numbers you're talking about unless I'm missing something!!
My posting of I have 100-amp interior lights, a 25 amp water pump and porch light REALLY ? the italicised statement, is copied verbatim from a thread that WAS included in the solar panel questions. Because it is no longer there, I can only assume that as Paul stated, it was a corrupted, automated, response. My question, was one asking the relevance of the stated illogical numbers. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 304
| I read the same post Gard quoted from, and question the values stated as well. Can't remember the Name, but they were new user, might have been 1st post. They had a website from UK listed in their profile. |
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Veteran
Posts: 264
Location: Sumas Washington | Sorry for being so late. This is where I got my system. Very helpful folks, good prices. http://www.wholesalesolar.com/RV.html |
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Solar panel update..
