Portable solar

[bpa098]

Hey guys... want to get some portable solar this year, nothing special, something cheapish. I have 2 group 31 batteries hooked up. We have a few 12v fans going at night, radio now and then and might be charging cell phones (new truck doesn't charge them when not running). Typically on day 3 or 4 we are getting low. So want to use solar to help keep the batteries charged so the low voltage doesn't wake me at 2 am lol

I'm not very knowledgeable so guess you'd be wasting time getting too technical with me but do you think 100 watt will do or should I be looking 200 watts? I don't plan to do any fancy installs or extra components.... looking online at the portable folding set ups that come with ling extension wires that I will hook right to the battery and then store away at night.

[ScottBrownstein]

100 watts should do you for starters. You can always add another panel.

[bpa098]

It's not top of the line but this unit looks to serve my wants and it's only $200

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01LY...rGL&ref=plSrch

Here is another in the same price range. Don't see much difference

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01M2...d_i=B01M28W7KR

[bpa098]

Any thoughts on these items?

[boondocking]

I would go for your second choice. Eco-Worthy has got pretty good reviews plus they give the specs for their product.

[lomax]

The size of your solar system depends on how many amps you will use in a day. For example a 100W system will supply about 8.3 amps per hour (in the best conditions) So if you used 83 amps the night before it would take 10 hours of sunlight to recover the next day.

To calculate your usage take the amp rating of your fans, radio, chargers etc. and multiply it by how many hours you will be using the appliance. If a fan takes 3 amps to run and you use it for 10 hours then you have consumed 30 amps as an example.

Add in a little fudge factor and get a solar system a bit higher than your planned usage and you should be good to go.

[ScottBrownstein]

There is a site that calculates how much you will get from a given installation. It is based on location, panel wattage, average weather and a number of other factors. All you need to do is put in the data that closest matches what you will install. I think you might be surprised by how little you will get.

go to PVWatts Calculator and try it yourself.

[bpa098]

I'll try that out. Longer trips I borrow my father's Honda genset but hate listening to it run. I ordered the 100w eco worthy as that's what I'm willing to spend right now. Most times we conserve a little and run short on the last day of our typical 4 to 5 days... so I hope with the 100w solar we will be fine. Next year we can add more

[hankpac]

Facebook: Solar RV's. Talk to Brian Boon after you read either his blog or the other posts on the page. A huge font of knowledge.
Has 160 Watt panels, excellent charge controllers, and plenty of information.

[J007]

I'm in the same boat and might just pull the trigger on the 120w Eco Worthy at this price. I think my TTs wired for Zamp, but believe I can by an adapter for the reverse polarity Zamp's set up for.

[hankpac]

Skip the Zamp. Hook up directly to your charge controller (don't buy a panel without a decent charge controller), then from that to your battery. The Prewired have mall wires, inadequate for handing the power a 120 or more panel supplies.
Read the info on RV Solar on Facebook. Tons of good info there.

[J007]

Thanks for this info, will check out RV Solar tonight.

[boondocking]

Originally Posted by bpa098

I'll try that out. Longer trips I borrow my father's Honda genset but hate listening to it run. I ordered the 100w eco worthy as that's what I'm willing to spend right now. Most times we conserve a little and run short on the last day of our typical 4 to 5 days... so I hope with the 100w solar we will be fine. Next year we can add more

If your batteries last for 4-5 days now, you should do just fine with 100 watts of solar.

[bpa098]

Originally Posted by boondocking

If your batteries last for 4-5 days now, you should do just fine with 100 watts of solar.

That's what I'm thinking. If I need more I'll get a second set. For 200 bucks I'm thinking it's a good deal

[Dano1955]

Originally Posted by hankpac

Facebook: Solar RV's. Talk to Brian Boon after you read either his blog or the other posts on the page. A huge font of knowledge.
Has 160 Watt panels, excellent charge controllers, and plenty of information.

Don't use/have Facebook. Hate it! Is there a website for the blog etc?