Posted 2013-03-04 3:20 AM (#150354) Subject: Solar Panel for keeping LQ batteries fresh?
Member
Posts: 29 Location: California
Hi,I'm buying my first ever trailer and small LQ and the dealer said something about buying a small solar panel to plug into the batteries when I'm not using the trailer - so that the batteries don't drain. He said they were about $100 to buy - but I'm on google and not sure what I'm looking at to buy.Does anyone do this and can you recommend what product to purchase, how to hook it up and if this works well to ensure battery life is extended? Is it simple to hook / unhook to your batteries when trailer not in use, as I'm thinking I'll have to unlock the battery box and leave the batteries exposed (I store publicly)....Thanks.
Posted 2013-03-04 7:00 AM (#150357 - in reply to #150354) Subject: RE: Solar Panel for keeping LQ batteries fresh?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 657 Location: Rayne, LA
I don't have one on my LQ trailer but I do have one on one of our covered wagons. A "small box" ( diode blocking ) is required to stop the panel from discharging the battery at night. We annually go on a 10 day ride and never charged the battery while using the radio all day and lights all night. Several companies such as Home Depot, Northen Tool, and many RV shops offer kits for this purpose. They are promoted for boats, RV's, Etc. I have seen both permanent mounted and portable models.
Posted 2013-03-04 7:17 AM (#150358 - in reply to #150354) Subject: RE: Solar Panel for keeping LQ batteries fresh?
Veteran
Posts: 197 Location: AZ
Some of the kits are very pricey. you can piece together a nice system. My friends that have them installed the solar panels on the roof, ran the wiring down by the vent pipe, into the trailer to the panel.
Most have a 120w panel that hooks into their 2 batteries and they are fine for 10 days.
Posted 2013-03-04 7:20 AM (#150359 - in reply to #150354) Subject: RE: Solar Panel for keeping LQ batteries fresh?
Regular
Posts: 98 Location: MD
I have 1 battery in my small GN conversion and use the Sunforce 15 watt with 7amp charge controller (keeps from over or discharging). I have the plug-in outside the battery box, controller inside the box, with plenty of cable to place the panel on top of the trailer. It works great for a 3-day boondocking weekend or general driveway charging. You can buy it in a "kit" for less than $90 - shop around.
Posted 2013-03-04 12:36 PM (#150376 - in reply to #150354) Subject: RE: Solar Panel for keeping LQ batteries fresh?
Regular
Posts: 79 Location: Alberta Canada
I too run a 15 watt sunforce with 7 amp charge control, on each unit, a motorhome, lq horse trailer, and dodge diesel with 2 batt. I run these solar units all winter as I don't use the above units then. They work very well, and come spring batteries are always in top shape... never need further attention. Solar is a great way to go.
Posted 2013-03-06 12:36 AM (#150401 - in reply to #150354) Subject: RE: Solar Panel for keeping LQ batteries fresh?
Veteran
Posts: 264 Location: Sumas Washington
I installed a 180watt system on my Platinum-Outlaw LQ trailer, works great we parked for 10 days in the Montana Little belt mountains and did not start the generator once., I would reccomend not underbuying on solar..
Posted 2013-03-10 8:00 PM (#150495 - in reply to #150401) Subject: RE: Solar Panel for keeping LQ batteries fresh?
Regular
Posts: 70
Originally written by gonzo1066 on 2013-03-06 1:24 AM
I installed a 180watt system on my Platinum-Outlaw LQ trailer, works great we parked for 10 days in the Montana Little belt mountains and did not start the generator once., I would reccomend not underbuying on solar..
Wow, so you could run everything in your LQ on just battery (and maybe propane?) I'm looking/shopping for my dream trailer and will want to have more in the Weekender/Dressing Room, so this is a timely thread.I currently have a marine grade battery in my current dressing room but it only charges a water pump and interior/exterior trailer lights. I love the idea of the solar charge, but I never thought you could "not use a generator"....that's awesome. My future trailer - I'd like a hot water heater, microwave and fridge - as well as power inverter/outlets. So I always thought I'd need to constantly run a generator (I never go places with RV hook ups) Two of the camping sites we go to, dont' allow generators.Will have to research the solar thing more.
Posted 2013-03-10 9:56 PM (#150498 - in reply to #150354) Subject: RE: Solar Panel for keeping LQ batteries fresh?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
"I'd like a hot water heater, microwave and fridge - as well as power inverter/outlets. So I always thought I'd need to constantly run a generator (I never go places with RV hook ups) Two of the camping sites we go to, dont' allow generators.Will have to research the solar thing more."
If you are planning on running all those appliances from a solar charger, you will need a large bank of batteries and solar panels larger than the roof area of your trailer. The panels previously mentioned will recharge a battery in time, but they are not large enough to support a major appliance using many watts.
It will be quite difficult indeed, to have a solar powered LQ, whilst using high wattage appliances. A fridge and water heater can be run off of gas using a 12 volt battery as an ignition source. The microwave will need many watts of AC power.
Posted 2013-03-10 11:46 PM (#150500 - in reply to #150354) Subject: RE: Solar Panel for keeping LQ batteries fresh?
Regular
Posts: 70
Thanks for the explanation, Gard. So folks use solar mainly just to keep the battery "fresh"? I'm just learning all this stuff. I wasn't expecting to run all of that off of it, was just asking regarding the person that camped for a week with no generator :) Sounds like camping using propane is the way to go, if one doesn't use a generator.
Posted 2013-03-11 6:58 AM (#150503 - in reply to #150354) Subject: RE: Solar Panel for keeping LQ batteries fresh?
Member
Posts: 36 Location: MD
There are 12v microwaves that draw 20 amps, a set of 2 130watt solar panels (15amps at 17v) maintaining 2 RV batteries should run your lights, micro, radio. While the propane runs the water heater, fridge, stove, heater.
You could easy fit 8 of these pv panels (7.5 amp @ 17v) to give you 60amp @ 17v (this is direct sun, clear day)
If you cant live off of propane and batteries being charged at 60amp (for a few hours mid day), may want to stay in the RV park :)
Posted 2013-03-11 9:06 AM (#150507 - in reply to #150354) Subject: RE: Solar Panel for keeping LQ batteries fresh?
Regular
Posts: 70
Thanks Nick! I'm keeping your post to reference for when I set up my future weekender. They way I "camp" is not very fancy. It's just at a clinic or event (horse trial, horse show) or for a few days trail-ride camping. We normally camp totally seperate from the trailer, save for sleeping in gooseneck :) (using just ice chest coolers, portable camping stove or actual camp fire for cooking and lots of lanterns) So even a simple weekender in the dressing room with a little microwave and fridge is huge. I also want to do a cowboy shower in the first stall but I may just keep that separate and not 'plumb' it - can just use a big cooler on wheels with water, a water heater/pump and snake it up into the horse stall through stock side trailer or drop down window :) We can rough it pretty easily.
Posted 2013-03-11 6:12 PM (#150525 - in reply to #150354) Subject: RE: Solar Panel for keeping LQ batteries fresh?
Member
Posts: 36 Location: MD
I'm coming from camping out of small kayaks (10-12') for 2-4 days, My daughter and I bought a 2 horse GN with Dressing room when she bought her horse last year, 1st time we camped in that we thought were in the "Hilton" compared to kayak camping:)
Well, now 1 horse has turned into 2 (plus her best friend/horse)that we take, so I picked up an almost rust free Logan 3h competetor GN with dressing room. Were pimping this baby out :)
Keeping with the topic,, is there a battery controller that has inputs for the solar panels AND tow vehicle??
Posted 2013-03-13 9:46 PM (#150561 - in reply to #150354) Subject: RE: Solar Panel for keeping LQ batteries fresh?
Veteran
Posts: 264 Location: Sumas Washington
Understand that when I said that our 180 watts of solar let us stay in the mountains for 10 days without running the gen. That we are VERY FRUGAL with power useage, that means we do NOT have a TV in the coach, NO satilite hookups, NO blairing radio or CD player. The fridge is on propane, as is the stove. I have LED lights in the coach and they make a huge difference for power useage. Sounds as though you are already a " low useage person" so a smaller system should work well for you.
Posted 2013-03-13 10:28 PM (#150564 - in reply to #150561) Subject: RE: Solar Panel for keeping LQ batteries fresh?
Regular
Posts: 70
Thanks for the clarification, Gonzo. Yep, I'm a "low useage" camper. No tv, no radio...would have camping stove on propane, fridge on propane, etc. Good idea about LED lighting to also save on electricity.
Originally written by gonzo1066 on 2013-03-13 7:46 PM
Understand that when I said that our 180 watts of solar let us stay in the mountains for 10 days without running the gen. That we are VERY FRUGAL with power useage, that means we do NOT have a TV in the coach, NO satilite hookups, NO blairing radio or CD player. The fridge is on propane, as is the stove. I have LED lights in the coach and they make a huge difference for power useage. Sounds as though you are already a " low useage person" so a smaller system should work well for you.
Solar Panel for keeping LQ batteries fresh?
