Posted 2010-01-29 1:35 PM (#115883) Subject: Solar power for LQ
Veteran
Posts: 236
Location: Little town in Pa
Has anyone have any information about solar power to help keep the batteries on a LQ running longer when you don't have power to plug into ? I do not mean to make the batteries last more years, like this product premium-supply.com but to actually charge the batteries while you are away for the weekend so basically the pump and maybe the fan on the furnace will run longer.
Seems like the nice big flat top of a trailer would be a nice way place to put some solar cells.
Posted 2010-01-29 3:40 PM (#115886 - in reply to #115883) Subject: RE: Solar power for LQ
Veteran
Posts: 229
Ncatanz, I am thinking of going the solar route also. My batteries will only last me about 3 nights. If I go longer than that, I need to use my little generator to charge the batteries. My friends who have a panel say that they have primitive camped for two weeks without having to use a generator. I asked them about their panel. They say that it is one late model panel, approximately 18 inches by three feet, located just forward of their AC unit. These friends happen to have the 6 volt series set up for their two batteries, but if the trailer were exposed to the daylight all day long, I don't see how the batteries would make any difference.
Posted 2010-01-29 6:14 PM (#115889 - in reply to #115883) Subject: RE: Solar power for LQ
Member
Posts: 32
Location: Paige, Tx
I have several friends with them too and am planning to do the same. They are sold and installed at any RV place. Might be closer than an actual Horse Trailer dealer. Livingquarters are the same as any RV only smaller. Nancy
Posted 2010-01-29 7:15 PM (#115891 - in reply to #115883) Subject: RE: Solar power for LQ
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 522
Location: Tucumcari NM
Solar power is the only way to go for me! No generator interrupting the quiet of a perfect morning. Just think about the various appliances you might want to run, such as lights, coffee maker, fans, electric skillet, etc. Your solar panel dealer can figure how many panels and batteries you will need to accomplish the tasks you outline.
Posted 2010-01-29 10:21 PM (#115899 - in reply to #115883) Subject: RE: Solar power for LQ
Expert
Posts: 2953
Location: North Carolina
Solar cells cost about $3 per watt of power. But that power is only available when the sun is shining.
Compare that to a premium Honda 3000i genset 3000 watts for about $2000. Quiet power available anytime any place.
Maybe the solar cost will get to parity within our life time... One can see the problem of "green jobs" lifting our economy and energy supplies in the near term. It's not possible without a heavy gov't subsidy hand on the scales of finance.
Posted 2010-01-29 10:58 PM (#115903 - in reply to #115891) Subject: RE: Solar power for LQ
Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
Originally written by Marla on 2010-01-29 8:15 PM
Solar power is the only way to go for me! No generator interrupting the quiet of a perfect morning. Just think about the various appliances you might want to run, such as lights, coffee maker, fans, electric skillet, etc. Your solar panel dealer can figure how many panels and batteries you will need to accomplish the tasks you outline. Marla
To power all of those appliances, you will need panels larger than most trailers.
Posted 2010-01-30 7:47 AM (#115909 - in reply to #115883) Subject: RE: Solar power for LQ
Regular
Posts: 69
Location: TEXAS
I have a 90watt panel on our trailer to help keep the batteries topped off, I originally did it to keep the batteries topped off without having it plugged in to have my lights on the outside and tackroom lights availible at night mostly. But now I am back to hauling 3-4 days a week so the truck keeps them charged. Just keep in mind they need to be washed off to keep up there output and if you live in an area that can get hail some more protective measures need to be taken.
Posted 2010-01-30 5:02 PM (#115928 - in reply to #115883) Subject: RE: Solar power for LQ
Elite Veteran
Posts: 736
Location: Western WA
We had solar panels on a 5th wheel we had before buying a LQ trailer. Two panels, 18" wide by probably 3' long (each). They kept the two RV batteries charged, even in the Western Washington winter weather where skies were predominantly cloudy. Any kind of daylight will charge batteries, just not as fast as a clear day.But I opted for a generator in my LQ trailer rather than solar panels. Solar panels only augment DC (battery) power. They don't allow you to run anything requiring AC (110) power - coffee maker, microwave, blow dryer, TV, etc. I like to be able to run everything, not just trailer lights and furnace blower.
Posted 2010-02-02 7:35 AM (#116043 - in reply to #115883) Subject: RE: Solar power for LQ
Elite Veteran
Posts: 648
Location: Coconut Creek, FL
I bought one of the solor panels, but haven't gotten it installed as of yet. I board and am unable to keep the trailer plugged in, so I want it to keep the battery charged in between trips and during them.
I do have one of the quiet Honda 2000IU generators and right now I bring that each time when I hook up to use the hydraulic hitch and to recharge the battery & run stuff while camping. I'm in South Fla, so the panel should work great once it's installed.
Posted 2010-02-02 9:35 AM (#116046 - in reply to #116043) Subject: RE: Solar power for LQ
Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
Originally written by Dunoir on 2010-02-02 8:35 AM
I bought one of the solor panels, but haven't gotten it installed as of yet. I board and am unable to keep the trailer plugged in, so I want it to keep the battery charged in between trips and during them.
Be sure that it has a good regulated charging system, otherwise you can over charge your batteries during periods of inactivity.
Posted 2020-11-12 12:34 AM (#173350 - in reply to #115883) Subject: RE: Solar power for LQ
New User
Posts: 1
I am against ordinary generators, they are completly noisy and freak me out all the time. Currently there are enough powerful panels that can give enough energy. I bought 3 bateries for my trailer at this
store.and totally satisfied. Green energy is a wonderful thing and the gift of this time. So don't hesitate
Posted 2020-12-01 6:58 AM (#173377 - in reply to #115883) Subject: RE: Solar power for LQ
Veteran
Posts: 183
Location: riverside ca
most solar panels have a 25 year warrenty and will continue to produce electricity long beyond that while the do deteriorate it is normally very slowly. I find solar panels on craigslist all the time for 10% the cost of new and they function 100% of output