new to solar

[sjvaught]

We have a 2016 Forrester ready for solar. How can I find out what size to buy? How is it used?

[mikakuja]

Is the trailer wired and prepped for solar or does it just have a plug on the outside for a portable solar system to plug into?

This is a basically a decision you will have to make based on your power needs. You will need to do your research on this as there is lots of great info out there, but be careful not to over think things. Solar needs on an RV are very controversial as you will probably find out by joining a few forums and asking the same question.. One persons idea of what works will not be the same as the next person.

Portable units are pretty self explanatory. If yours is solar ready and has a plug it will probably be limited to a max size... Get the largest possible size panels that you can. (The portable system will need to have it's own charge controller).

If you are a bit more specific on how you plan to use the trailer and what your power needs are you will probably get some better opinions on systems that may be suitable for you.

[sjvaught]

Our motorhome is pre wired with an outside plug that says "solar". No information came with it explaining what size panels to get. Not sure how we would use it because I have knowledge about what it is capable of doing. Looks like I need to do more research

[Briorick]

Originally Posted by sjvaught

Our motorhome is pre wired with an outside plug that says "solar". No information came with it explaining what size panels to get. Not sure how we would use it because I have knowledge about what it is capable of doing. Looks like I need to do more research

"YouTube" is your friend! I have a 200 watt portable setup with an MPPT Charge Controller and M50 Monitor, and we really like ours.

Being a newby to Solar requires a good amount of reading and video watching to fully understand its usage and capabilities, inputs, outputs, etc. Everyone's Solar Power needs and usage is different, based on your needs. Therefore the many different configurations that can be put together.

There are many good Solar videos on YouTube. Check them out. They will answer many of your questions.

[pgandw]

Quick summary of relative costs:

1. If you don't need more 12V power, do nothing.
2. If you only need 12V for 0-4 nights (including heat), expand your battery bank. Adding batteries is cheapest solution and take less space than a generator or portable solar. Adding batteries also increases effectiveness of generator or solar.
3. Solar costs less than generator and are silent. Shade on panels severely reduces output.
4. Generator is the most expensive, but is the all-weather option. Make sure converter charges batteries optimally to reduce generator run time. Larger generators can provide AC as well.

Fred W
2014 Rockwood A122 A-frame with dual 6V golf cart batteries, no solar or generator. We don't stay in one place where we need heat for more than 4 nights.
Last trip: Arches (2 nights dry camp) and Capitol Reef (1 night dry camp) National Parks

[wanderingbob]

Most of the time the solar plug on outside is useless for serious wattage ! Wires way to small .

[mikakuja]

Although we had a permanent system mounted on our previous TT it also had an exterior solar plug which was rated for 20A, but not all units are the same. As mentioned in previous post's, the wiring is generally not large enough on that plug to support any decent current, it will however help to extend your battery life if you can get some decent sun on the panel.. I would not consider anything under 100 watts as that alone will only help to maintain your batteries, it won't make up for the power you will use daily.
We had 260 watts (Mono Panels) and a 20A controller on the trailer and it did a decent job keeping the dual 6v's charged as long as we were able to find a location that got a decent amount of sun. I would see up to 14ish amps during peek sun hours on a good day without much haze. Any shade on a single panel pretty much renders it useless.

[hankpac]

I use a Coleman 2 panel model, and sometimes a Harbor Freight 3 panel model.
We get mostly sun all day, and a little shade between 2-4 PM, We lay the panels on top, (have never mounted them), rather than messing with the ground stands all day, since I am usually busy, either hunting or doing something else.
The wires are what came with the systems, and run directly to the batteries.
there is a charge controller between the panels and the batteries to keep from over charging or cooking all the water out of them. Also contains a one way diode, so the batteries don't "back-charge into the panels at night. Don't worry about that, all the controllers have that.
My friend bought a trailer (NEW) and paid extra for an installation of panels on top of his rig. He kept wondering why his batteries were run down, had to run his gen set every day, and all of that. We ran through all the usual things like, not leaving al his lights on all day, and not running his trailer like it was at home hooked to the grid, etc. However even THEN he was still flat every couple of days.
We checked the output at a couple of places: at the breaker box it was barley 12 volts, at the wires coming into the box it was barely 12 volts, and even on top of the rig, stabbing a pointed lead directly into the wire at the solar panel (about 2 inches away) it was barely 12 volts.
This means it wasn't producing enough power to push electricity INTO the batteries (should be at least 14 volts, perhaps 16 or 17).
My point here is that even so-called pros (the dealer) don't necessarily have the know-how, or the proper set up to install.
I obtained the solar power primer printed by these guys a few years ago. They also do installations. RV Solar Power: Get Expert Advice On Adding Solar To Your RV
Good luck.