Solar

[Harvey9]

Hello, I have a chance to purchase a 75 Watt solar panel with charge controller and inverter. I have a 3013 A Frame and will be changing to two 6 Volt batteries. We do a fair bit of boondocking but don't usually run a lot of power, mostly a few lights. Will this be enough to keep these batteries charged up?

Thanks Harvey

[Toyman]

Maybe 2 of them....but only if you are a VERY light user.

[Rich.M]

Not enough solar for you. The fridge on propane ,few lights and co monitor may draw more than the 15 amp hours you will get in a day. You won't be able replace any inverter draw from the batteries. Running an electric coffee pot, toaster or microwave will wipe out the battery reserve amazingly fast even with 2 6volt batteries. The exact solar recommendations will depend on listing exactly what you want to run fridge,water heater,microwave,planned inverter uses. Likely will need 300 watts. May want to start with a small boondocking generator if you don't have one.

[sgtlm17]

As stated above you need to sit down and calculate just what you will be using in a day. Most will find you need a 100w panel for each battery at a minimum.

[Skyliner]

It is a question that only you can answer, sorry.

You need to do an energy audit as the previous poster stated.

[Rich.M]

Originally Posted by Skyliner

You need to do an energy audit

Great answer, short and to the point. If you want a solar power system that works then you must account every power use with reasonable estimates, no cutting corners. Guessing will result in significant money spent followed by complaints that solar does not work then repurchasing the correct equipment ( hopefully) and more expense.
All 12 volt AND most propane capable appliances draw battery power. Example:The 3 way fridge may draw .5 to .8 amp on propane. Sounds small but it runs 24/7 . That's 12 to 19 amp hours per day. Lights 1-2 amps each bulb , run 3 bulbs net 2 hrs gives you 9 amp hours. Those amp hours can add up fast.
Look in manuals or look up on the internet the standby power and actual power use for: refridge, water heater, heater ( a big power hog for the fan),pump use, lights, co monitor. Then realistically estimate how many hours or minutes for each. Convert each item to amp hrs per day and add up. Now you can make decisions on what solar is needed. Do you want to make enough amp hours to extend boondocking by one or 2 days with 2 batteries or be able to replace all power use and go all week?
Estimate power production at 25 amp hrs per day per 100 watt panel.

You said inverter. That will add a whole new set of power demands and calculations. Look that one up on the forums. You will immediately move into the high power user catagory. That plug will be very tempting and you will start using more items. Just wait until your wife finds out that a 500 watt inverter will power her curling iron . Good luck!

[Justice12t]

All great advice here. It's better to know your needs and build your system to them. I will give you a quick run down of the setup on our 5er for reference. Though different than your unit.

We have 2-6 volt GC batteries and an isolated 12 volt battery as backup. I have 200watts of panels currently attached to a dual axis solar tracker (Still in beta). I have a 30amp MPPT charge controller with remote panel. We also have a 2000watt pure sine wave inverter. Various cables and connections.

We have camped 8 straight days without any issues with this setup and only a few hours to get the batteries back to 100% depending on usage and sun.

We are careful with power usage, but have watched TV\Movies on rainy days or after the fire was out. It works great for charging phones and running certain items. Learned quickly that the Mr.Coffee stays in the box while dry camping...power hog!

One of the most important things to remember is don't cheap out on cables and connections. It will only hurt you in the long run. At some point we will add another bank of 6 volts also.

Sorry this is a little lengthy...I will end with saying...one of the best things I ever did was convert to solar and and inverter. It was a really fun project and I learned a lot. This site is a great resource and there are several online articles. Good luck with it all and have fun!

[Toyman]

What a ration....with the price of panels today IMOO a "audit" is wasting your time. 12v panels can be had for less than $1 a watt, bigger homes size panels (need MPPT controller) can be found for .35¢ a watt. You can NOT have to much solar.......or to much truck.

[epfd217]

Originally Posted by Toyman

What a ration....with the price of panels today IMOO a "audit" is wasting your time. 12v panels can be had for less than $1 a watt, bigger homes size panels (need MPPT controller) can be found for .35¢ a watt. You can NOT have to much solar.......or to much truck.

Be careful with the internet, many people are happy to spend your money, especially when the actual dollar amount seems insignificant to them.

For the usage you are mentioning and the likely proposed usage (inverter), you will need 200 watts of solar, 150 minimum and the two 6v batteries. Thats around $500 if buying all new.

That is cheap compared to the prices of 1, 3, 5 years ago, however, that doesn't mean its cheap to you or me.

If you've got a deal on a setup from someone you trust, get it and try it out. Its your money. That being said, just the 75w panel will not suffice. Add another 100w panel and you will be in the ballpark.

[FFred]

The best "first purchase" is a SOC (state of charge) meter.

This is a gas gauge for your house batts which is far more accurate than voltage.

When you learn your current usage it will be easier to decide between solar and a HD battery charger with a gen set.

Bogart engineering is one brand of SOC mfg.

Solar works fine , BUT you have to leave the trees and park in an open field, UGH!

[Harvey9]

I guess I'll be needing a few more panels, this whole "solar" process is new to me but this forum has provided lots of information.

Thanks for all your responses, I appreciate it.

Harvey

[aceinspp]

Is your camper set up for solar if so is it a Zamp system? Be advised if it is you will need to reverse polarity at the camper if other than the Zamp system. Later RJD

[Toyman]

Don't skimp on the controller, leave overhead for expansion. Use the heaviest wire you can, esp between the controller & batteries. Yes a battery meter like the Trimetric is VERY nice to have, but if cash constraint, put the bucks in the controller & wiring first. JMOO

[Harvey9]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

Is your camper set up for solar if so is it a Zamp system? Be advised if it is you will need to reverse polarity at the camper if other than the Zamp system. Later RJD

I'm not set up. Thanks

[TEH721]

If anyone see's this in time, Amazon's deal of the day is the Renology 100w solar panel. You would still need to purchase the controller separate, but its a decent deal:

https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Watts-...GHYSMWN8MJJGYM

[Kenny kustom]

Interesting how their multiple amounts are more than buying multiple singles.

[Harvey9]

Originally Posted by Toyman

Don't skimp on the controller, leave overhead for expansion. Use the heaviest wire you can, esp between the controller & batteries. Yes a battery meter like the Trimetric is VERY nice to have, but if cash constraint, put the bucks in the controller & wiring first. JMOO

Good tip. Thanks