New guy here (to everything)

[Ivan69]

Good morning everyone. I just purchased a 2019 Coachmen Clipper, I'm new to the whole travel trailer scene and don't know squat about squat but I'm betting I'll figure things out as I break stuff.
My first question is: my Clipper says its solar ready, I have a solar pannel that came with the trailer when I bought it but it only seems to power the exterior markers, so is that solar pannel only used to carge the batteries or is it supposed to power up the entire unit? Is the solar pannel to small and not enough to power it? Any help will be greatly appreciated, thank you in advance.

[wmtire]

Here is a thread aimed at those like you just beginning their RV education. Reading the thread link there called "Converter or Inverter, they are different" would be the first one to read IMHO,

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...ts-157524.html

Good luck and feel free to ask questions.

[Reverse_snowbird]

Originally Posted by Ivan69

... so is that solar pannel only used to carge the batteries or is it supposed to power up the entire unit?

The simple answer is that the solar charges your batteries. How well it does that depend on the size of your solar panels and the sun.

The battery is not going to power your entire unit. It basically operate the overhead lights and the electronic igniter for your appliances. The only way to fully power your unit is to plug into shore power or carry a generator with an rv plug. Shore power is best.

There is a learning curve to rving, but you'll catch on quickly.

Welcome to the forum!

[JWood422]

When I bought my trailer over 5 years ago I knew just enough to confuse myself. It’s amazing what I’ve learned about things that I didn’t even know were things. Good luck. Hopefully you’ll pick things up quicker than I have. (No wait. That’s a curse. You only learn about stuff when they break!)

[Bill and Gail]

Welcome from New Jersey. You can learn a lot from the people on this forum. Don't be afraid to ask questions, remember there are no dumb guestions. Safe travels.

[Oaklevel]

Welcome from Virginia !!!!!

Just imagine when many of us started camping there were not cell phones or home internet............ We had books.........

[Aussieguy]

Battery ... powers stuff like the water pump , lights , power winch for roof etc etc

120v will power stuff like Microwave , Television , 120v outlets + a converter (battery charger)

Fridge can be powered by electric 120v , 12v or propane
and Furnace fan is 12v the heat being produced by propane

Converter is rated in .... 12v amps OUTPUT 35, 45, 55 etc
so it can power any combination of devices upto it's maximum output
any left over output will be sent to battery so it can charge up

If battery is full ... it won't accept a charge from converter or solar


Solar will send power directly to the battery.... lets say it produces 5 amps
IF all the 12v devices are OFF the solar input is stored in the battery

BUT if you got the furnace running and charging your phone ... this might be using 6amps ... so you have a draw on the battery of 1 amp battery is getting slowly discharged

Adding MORE solar where possible will allow the battery to charge up MORE
keep in mind to turn OFF anything not required to allow the charging to go faster

7 pin connection from truck
will also provide some power .. how much power is debatable... but you will get some power from the 7pin while motor (alternator) is running

you can have MULTIPLE power sources running at the same time
Converter (shore power) + solar
7 pin + solar as you drive
they all contribute to keep battery charged

Lead acid is SLOW at charging
BUT perfectly adequate if you only camp at weekends etc
allowing enough charging to occur during the week, via
a) your current solar could take several days to top up the battery
or
b) connected to 120v to converter (use a extension cord at the house)

When your battery dies look hard at replacing it with Lithium (lifepo4)
for moderate power usage you can get a battery for around 200.00 and it will have TWICE the capacity of your old battery, It will greatly increase you camping ability.


If you like solar and want to boondock a lot
a) invest in lifepo4 battery for faster charging and more capacity
b) get as much solar on roof 2 x 200w panels
c) 200w of ground panels
a well designed solar and battery system will allow almost unlimited camping
Have camped Florida and UPTO Ohio with just solar to keep batteries happy