Suitcase solar

[Joan418]

I apologize in advance fur the question.... we have a grey wolf 19sm.....I want to get a suitcase solar panel to operate with the furrion plug on the trailer.... don't understand what wattage to get and what it will run.... we normally plug in at the florida state parks , but would like to have solar as a backup when we travel up north.... or go off the grid for a night.....I understand I run fridge off propane, but would the panel run lights and air conditioning, or just lights? Any advice would be appreciated... thanks in advance. Joan

[0rion]

Hi Joan, if you unplug from shore power you'll find you still can use your lights, your vent fan, your propane fridge, and any slide-outs. These can continue to run on 12v from your battery. You likely won't have air conditioning, no microwave, and no outlets - these all need 120v power from your shore plug.
With solar panels, your battery is still providing all the power to the 12v devices, and the solar is recharging and supplementing the battery.
To use things that require 120v ac power, you'd need to look into getting an inverter.

[Joan418]

THANK YOU FOR AN EXCELLENT REPLY( in basic English) IT'S GREATLY APPRECIATED

[0rion]

No problem!

As for the capability of the furrion jack, perhaps someone else can chime in.

You'll find with solar, many will suggest all sorts of gadgets you can buy - it's quite a rabbit hole! I recommend watching some youtube videos on the subject of RVs with portable solar panels.

Regarding the recommended wattage, we'd ideally need to know how much power you'd expect to consume to be able to recommend what size panels to replenish what you've used. Google RV Power audit. Again, rabbit hole...

That said, I have a 200w suitcase panel and have upgraded my battery to Lithium so that if there isn't enough solar I still have a couple nights worth of power. I'd think that for just 12v with frugal use though, 200w of solar should suffice.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Joan418

I understand I run fridge off propane, but would the panel run lights and air conditioning, or just lights? Any advice would be appreciated... thanks in advance. Joan

Solar panels will not run the air conditioner. You need shore power or an inverter generator to run the a/c.

[Joan418]

THANK YOU for the response..... it has given me the understanding that I need to continue my research on. Purchasing a suitcase... you are all. Awesome!!!