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12-19-2016, 05:11 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Live Oak, CA
Posts: 90
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Solar Charging
I just set-up a solar system for my Rockwood 2304ks. All works well but wonder about others experience. Battery started at 65% charge. After about an hour on 100 Watt system, the battery was at 100% and 13.3 volts on charge controller. I have read/experienced with generator that after disconnecting it takes time for battery to stabilize.
How long does it usually take after controller shows 100% for batteries to really reach full charge. After I disconnected, in 10 minutes battery read 88%.
Thanks
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2004 ALiner Expedition
2008 Trailmanor 2330
2016 Rockwood Mini Lite 2304 ks
2020 Lance 2075
2008 Lincoln Navigator 5.4 V-8 with Tow Package
2015 Ford Expedition Ecoboost with Heavy Duty Tow Package
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12-19-2016, 05:25 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Sarasota
Posts: 587
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Battery charge state by voltage is only an estimate. The voltage may take 30 to 40 minutes to dissipate surface charge so the 88% was still a high estimate. Just estimating from the 65%, assuming 100 amp hr battery then you need 35 amp hours to full charge. A 100 watt panel will give you at best 20 amp hrs per sunny day and likely less this time of year. So 2 days or 10 good sun hours should do it. That's my best guess. Good luck
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2015 Solera 24r
2017 Jeep Wrangler
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12-21-2016, 10:42 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 161
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich.M
Battery charge state by voltage is only an estimate. The voltage may take 30 to 40 minutes to dissipate surface charge so the 88% was still a high estimate. Just estimating from the 65%, assuming 100 amp hr battery then you need 35 amp hours to full charge. A 100 watt panel will give you at best 20 amp hrs per sunny day and likely less this time of year. So 2 days or 10 good sun hours should do it. That's my best guess. Good luck
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Agreed..
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2017 Surveyor 245BHS
2011 F250 6.2L Crew SB 4X4
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02-18-2017, 06:01 PM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 30
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This may be a dumb question but just purchased a TT that has the Go Power connect on the trailer. I am thinking of getting the Renogy 100 watt solar kit. How do you connect the Renogy unit to the Go Power connect on the TT? Also added an additional battery to the TT. Will this unit keep the batteries charged? Thank you.
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02-19-2017, 04:54 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Sarasota
Posts: 587
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The Gopower connect on the trailer is likely just a line to the batteries for the Portable Gopower solar. It requires a solar controller to regulate voltage and charging. The portable go power kits have a controller mounted on the folding panels. You can buy the go power portable or install the Renogy kit separate . the Renogy kit is meant to permanently mount on the roof. 100 watts solar will do a great job keeping one or two batteries charged in storage but will be limited for dry camping. 100 watts of solar will generally give you 20 amphrs per day. The real question is what did you use that day. Lights, detectors, fridge on propane and pumps may already reach 20-30 amp hrs. More if you have a tv to watch or charge iPads or cell phones devices . The 100 watts will prolong your dry camping but you may need 200 to 300 watts or a generator if planning weeklong stays off grid.
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2015 Solera 24r
2017 Jeep Wrangler
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02-19-2017, 07:36 AM
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#6
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World Wide Wanderer
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Sprung Leak, NC
Posts: 1,732
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Renogy makes and sells a " suitcase" kit that comes complete with solar charger. I have a Furrion port on my RV that I plug the kit into. I had to buy an adapter cable from Zamp. My 100 watt rig puts out a solid 5-6 amps at full sun. I can get that for maybe 4 hours a day this time of year. So far I have been very pleased with it. It provides enough power to keep my batteries topped up for the occasional overnight. Eventually I plan to put solar panels on top.
Aaron
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Aaron & Rhonda
wahoonc & Airangel60
2016 Coachmen Concord 300DS
2015 Fusion Hybrid following along
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02-19-2017, 08:11 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Sarasota
Posts: 587
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Followed your link on the suitcase kit, wow 400 dollars. I would be too worried about it walking away while out hiking or exploring. The 200 watt roof kit at Renogy is now 350.
https://www.renogy.com/renogy-200-wa...r-starter-kit/
It will need upgraded wiring if more panels are going to be added later. Good luck.
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2015 Solera 24r
2017 Jeep Wrangler
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02-19-2017, 09:13 AM
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#8
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World Wide Wanderer
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Sprung Leak, NC
Posts: 1,732
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich.M
Followed your link on the suitcase kit, wow 400 dollars. I would be too worried about it walking away while out hiking or exploring. The 200 watt roof kit at Renogy is now 350.
https://www.renogy.com/renogy-200-wa...r-starter-kit/
It will need upgraded wiring if more panels are going to be added later. Good luck.
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Mine was ~$250, but I have one of the older ones. I haven't had any problems with stuff walking away from campsites in my 40+ years of camping. But I do know that it does happen. One of the reasons I am considering adding them to the roof top.
Aaron
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Aaron & Rhonda
wahoonc & Airangel60
2016 Coachmen Concord 300DS
2015 Fusion Hybrid following along
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02-19-2017, 09:48 AM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 30
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Thanks Rich M. Fridge and water heater would be on propane. Would mainly use use for charging phones, occasional movie/dvd, radio and cd's and interior led lights. Will that work?
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02-19-2017, 10:14 AM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 30
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Renogy 200 Watts 12 Volts Monocrystalline Solar Bundle Kit. This is available for $310 on Amazon. Where would i get an adapter to plug into the Go Power connect on the trailer?
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02-19-2017, 10:40 AM
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#11
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World Wide Wanderer
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Sprung Leak, NC
Posts: 1,732
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mjdtld
Renogy 200 Watts 12 Volts Monocrystalline Solar Bundle Kit. This is available for $310 on Amazon. Where would i get an adapter to plug into the Go Power connect on the trailer?
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I think Go Power uses the two lead SAE plug. As long as the polarity is correct any one of them will work, just make sure to size it correctly. My Renogy came with the SAE plug and a couple sets of other end cables with the SAE on the end.
Aaron
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Aaron & Rhonda
wahoonc & Airangel60
2016 Coachmen Concord 300DS
2015 Fusion Hybrid following along
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02-19-2017, 10:41 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Sarasota
Posts: 587
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It depends on your intent and the kit you are selecting.
Can you provide more information. Is the plug at ground level or on the roof?
Are you looking for a foldable / portable panel set or permanently mounted on the roof?
How many days dry camping capability are you looking for? Are you getting that second battery? ( will definitely be needed if you are going to run heat on propane) . What group number battery are you using ? Are you looking to : 1) stretch your dry camping 1-2 days and be thrifty with power 2) last 2-3 days without much worry, 3) live like kings going as long as needed with at least partly sunny days? 4) what kind of unit are you, how many people , and do you have a generator already as back up? All these things will need to be thought through before yo spend the money. Are you handy enough to do a roof install ?
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2015 Solera 24r
2017 Jeep Wrangler
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02-19-2017, 12:10 PM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 30
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Looking for a foldable/portable unit. Plug is up at the front near the bottom of the trailer where the batteries are. Already have a second battery installed when I was at the dealer. Three to four days of dry camping. Not sure what battery group is installed by Forest River EVO. Two people and some dogs. We are in California. Thanks Rich.
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02-19-2017, 12:11 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 30
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Can you prop the units up if they do not come with a foldable strand?
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02-19-2017, 12:25 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Sarasota
Posts: 587
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200 may work for you but can fall short if too many partly sunny days. That kit is just loose panels, you will need to add hinges,make a frame/ stand and mount the controller to the back of one panel or to your stand. Can probably get all the parts and some aluminum at Home Depot if you want to make this a small project. Be sure to get the polarity right. May need to order the plug form gopower, good luck. Don't let the dogs watch too much tv.
__________________
2015 Solera 24r
2017 Jeep Wrangler
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02-19-2017, 01:18 PM
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#16
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 30
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Can you prop the units up if they do not come with a foldable strand?
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02-19-2017, 01:28 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 2,024
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich.M
Followed your link on the suitcase kit, wow 400 dollars. I would be too worried about it walking away while out hiking or exploring. The 200 watt roof kit at Renogy is now 350.
https://www.renogy.com/renogy-200-wa...r-starter-kit/
It will need upgraded wiring if more panels are going to be added later. Good luck.
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A National Rifle Association sticker on your side window will go a long way towards deterring theft.....
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02-19-2017, 03:13 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 114
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SidecarFlip
A National Rifle Association sticker on your side window will go a long way towards deterring theft.....
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Or in California, will encourage tweakers to break in.
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2008 Wildcat 29RLS
2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD
4x4 z71 Crew Cab Duramax/Allison
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02-19-2017, 05:38 PM
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#19
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World Wide Wanderer
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Sprung Leak, NC
Posts: 1,732
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mjdtld
Can you prop the units up if they do not come with a foldable strand?
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You probably can, but it is going to be hard to get them oriented for best efficiency. The stand shouldn't be too hard to fabricate up from some pieces of aluminum angle.
Aaron
__________________
Aaron & Rhonda
wahoonc & Airangel60
2016 Coachmen Concord 300DS
2015 Fusion Hybrid following along
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02-25-2017, 12:22 AM
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#20
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 14
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Looking for roof mount system
Bought an 2017 22RR and would like to know of a decent roof mount solar panel and charge controller.
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