Quote:
Originally Posted by Fuzzy53
What minimum output from a solar panel would be needed to keep the battery charged during the day? Any recommendations on charge controllers?
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Herk7769 has some good recommendations...
My rule of thumb is 80-100 watts per battery. More is better. I have a buddy with a Lance TT. He has a 160 watts of solar and two group 27 batteries. He does very well with that set up. However he usually camps at the coast in the direct sun and his parking space at home is mostly in the sun. He has actually disconnected his converter. I don't recall, but I think he has a 2,000 watt inverter.
I prefer camping in the partial shade. I currently use a MorningStar controller from
Renogy Solar. I am using one of their older 100 watt suitcase kits. It keeps me topped up for light use.
Eventually we are going to 400 or so watts on the roof and keep the portable unit for when we are parked in the shade.
Everyone's requirements are going to be a bit different. We seldom run televisions or watch movies. I am more of a music guy. When hanging out somewhere the most I run is a couple of roof vent fans in the warmer months, in the winter the furnace. All of my lights are LED, I don't use a coffee maker unless plugged in, I use a stove top percolator.
Aaron