solar

[wls]

I have a 2016 38FB2 CC, and was wondering if anyone had solar installed on their coach? Especially the FB2 like I have, but all answers are welcome. Thanks

[tomkatb]

I guess I do not count.

From an engineering perspective we choose not to install solar. CC 34RE, Another couples trailer.

Every situation is different.

Do you want a panel to charge the batteries in the winter, or provide battery recharging while boondocking so as to never run a generator?

Or somewhere in between. $500 & $15,000.

Come hell or high water we can go 48 hours disconnected. We have 4 GC2 batteries and a Honda 2200 generator.

[wls]

Originally Posted by tomkatb

I guess I do not count.

From an engineering perspective we choose not to install solar. CC 34RE, Another couples trailer.

Every situation is different.

Do you want a panel to charge the batteries in the winter, or provide battery recharging while boondocking so as to never run a generator?

Or somewhere in between. $500 & $15,000.

Come hell or high water we can go 48 hours disconnected. We have 4 GC2 batteries and a Honda 2200 generator.

I dont think I need a big system, talked to a installer in Shipshewana, 3-210 panels and 4 batteries. I do have a 3500 gen, and 2 deep cell batteries currently. I guess something to maybe boondock for a couple days, and maybe assist when I get to a site where I have to pay for the electric. I do have a residential refrigerator also.

I'm still throwing it around, just looking for feedback, Thanks

[tomkatb]

630 watts of solar gets you about 150 amps on its best day.

The issue with the residential fridge is they use a lot of juice. The inverter alone consumes 1 or 2 amps per hour. Most inverters have a 15-20% power loss in the conversion.

4 GC2 batteries as I have available are 210 amps.

4 lithium would be better. 400 amps.

Get a good battery monitor. Since I own no solar we have a WiFi voltmeter.

The Vitron would be better.

We live in the Midwest. Boondocking is pretty limited. Our speciality is older state and federal parks with 30 amp service. We can easily go 7 days without hookups.

[Leadbouncer]

Originally Posted by tomkatb

Come hell or high water we can go 48 hours disconnected. We have 4 GC2 batteries and a Honda 2200 generator.

If you wanted to hang out for a week or more off grid, what generator would you suggest. I have a single 2000 and Im told a second unit will really up the power.

LB

[tomkatb]

Almost all inverter generators can be paralleled. I. E. 2 of them give you about 30 amps! Usually a $30-40 wire kit.

You could carefully run any appliance. My DW is a master at not tripping breakers.

We carry only one. Will add an easy start to run one ac unit. Likely we will never use the ac.

[wls]

Originally Posted by tomkatb

Almost all inverter generators can be paralleled. I. E. 2 of them give you about 30 amps! Usually a $30-40 wire kit.

You could carefully run any appliance. My DW is a master at not tripping breakers.

We carry only one. Will add an easy start to run one ac unit. Likely we will never use the ac.

I'm thinking of adding an easy start on one of the AC's.
Like I said just tossing it out whether to spend on solar. I have also thought of 4 batteries, and keeping the 3500 kipor inverter gen, or getting a 2200, much lighter.

[evorv]

Check out Long Long Honeymoon on YouTube - they have a video on how they setup their solar on their AirStream - they spent $16k on their setup.


I also so a video on YT, I don't recall the channel name, the guy ran his 2k portable gen with a 6 gallon tank for about 40 hours straight, which included running his AC.

[LittleBill]

Originally Posted by evorv

Check out Long Long Honeymoon on YouTube - they have a video on how they setup their solar on their AirStream - they spent $16k on their setup.


I also so a video on YT, I don't recall the channel name, the guy ran his 2k portable gen with a 6 gallon tank for about 40 hours straight, which included running his AC.

I have boondocked in my TT with a 2200 inverter mainly to keep batteries charged. I have a CPAP and need to make sure it will last through the night. The inverter will run 6-7 hours on a tank of gas with no A/C or microwave, so it is running basically 12V stuff at idle the whole time.

Also on my 5er I had Orvin add easy starts to both A/C's so I can run them if needed with the 2200 inverter

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by LittleBill

I have boondocked in my TT with a 2200 inverter mainly to keep batteries charged. I have a CPAP and need to make sure it will last through the night. The inverter will run 6-7 hours on a tank of gas with no A/C or microwave, so it is running basically 12V stuff at idle the whole time.

Also on my 5er I had Orvin add easy starts to both A/C's so I can run them if needed with the 2200 inverter

Would that be an inverter generator?

[LittleBill]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

Would that be an inverter generator?

Yes. I have a Roybi 2200 that I got at Home Depot a few years ago when my 3500 generator was giving me some trouble. I would like to buy a second 2200 so I can parallel it to the first one. Thus I don't have to man-handle the 3500 into the back of the truck. Haven't pull that plug yet.

They no longer make the 2200 I have as they have upgraded the technology (and price). Here is one in the same category but with more stuff on it than mine that they sell now - https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-2-...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

A lot of those on the forum here are looking at what Harbor Freight has as they seem to be lower in price than most other places.