Solar Panel recommended size?

[rfd3750]

The Wolf Pup 16FQ I am considering includes a 50 watt solar panel. I am not sure if that is part of a package or if it is an option.
Is a 50 watt panel large enough to be of any practical use or, if it is an option, should I pass on the 50 watt and go for something larger?

[PhilFromMaine]

Originally Posted by rfd3750

The Wolf Pup 16FQ I am considering includes a 50 watt solar panel. I am not sure if that is part of a package or if it is an option.
Is a 50 watt panel large enough to be of any practical use or, if it is an option, should I pass on the 50 watt and go for something larger?

Absolutely! 50 watt will basically do little more than trickle charge your batteries. I don't know much about the Wolf Pup. but I would skip the 50 watt panel and get two of the largest panels you can get. Uninstalled, the panels should cost about a dollar a watt.

[Mikec557]

Originally Posted by rfd3750

The Wolf Pup 16FQ I am considering includes a 50 watt solar panel. I am not sure if that is part of a package or if it is an option.
Is a 50 watt panel large enough to be of any practical use or, if it is an option, should I pass on the 50 watt and go for something larger?

It's a little hard to be definitive about how many watts of solar you "should have." But I agree 50 watts is not worth the cost or effort of installing. I think that if you want solar at all, you should have 200 watts (two 100 watt panels), and given the small size increase two 160 watt panels for 320 watts. Renogy is a good brand. Look on their website at 100 watt rigid solar panels. They're about 2ft x 4ft. I bought their 160 watt, same width but about 4-1/2ft long.

If you're handy at all you can install the entire solar system. I've installed it on the last 3 RVs. Trust me, you can do it. 😁

[rfd3750]

Thanks to both of you. Unless the 50 watt panel is part of a package I will passinthru on it and go for a larger setup.

[jimmoore13]

If you plan to boondock, here's a recommendation:

Renology 400 watt kit with MPPT controller.

I have a similar kit with a less efficient PWM controller, and I love it.

Next add two 6 volt golf cart batteries. I like the Duracells, but there are other brands that are as good. Note the capacity of 230 AH. In series, two will give you 230 AH at 12 volts. You get to use HALF...115 AH. You'll be hard pressed to come up with a combo of 12 volt batteries that will give you that much USABLE power.

In sunny Colorado, I never lack 12 volt power. I could camp all summer without charging on shore power or a generator. I use my generator to run the microwave or espresso machine (we are not savages ), and that's all. My battery bank is typically topped off by about 1 PM.

Roof mount the panels and run them in parallel so each can perform to its best ability given dappled shade, etc. A totally set-it-and-forget-it solution. I don't even wash them. The rain keeps them clean enough to perform well above 95% efficiency.

If the 50 watt panel and controller are standard (not an option), store them in the garage or use it to trickle charge your tow vehicle battery or something.

[Thomas ho]

a100 watt renogy monocrystaline panel does me a great job. 1 deep cycle battery. portable because of hail in north texas. move it around once a day.

[bjastifer]

I run 2-115watt panels with 2-6v 230amp hours batteries seems to be a good match. Panel watts = Battery Amp Hours.

[rfd3750]

Thanks to all those who have responded. Wife and I still haven't fully committed to buying a camper but if we do I think my first priority will be improving on the batteries. Second will probably be a generator - like jimmoore13 I like my coffee in the morning.

[knight1fox3]

Definitely some good discussion here, thanks for the experience/feedback from others. Out of curiosity, how does the solar panel recommendation play into the pre-configured solar interface receptacle (Furrion) for those of us that have it (2019 16BHS)? My receptacle indicates a 10A maximum capacity.

[TitanMike]

Solar power when boondocking only comes in two sizes, "Some" and "More". There is no such thing as "Enough".

Kind of like Money.

[FredMP]

The juice pack includes a 12V disconnect switch and 50W panel. It's not designed for boondocking, only for keeping the battery topped up in storage. For that purpose, both of these features together are perfect.
I find the small panel helpful too for slowing down battery drain with the 12V fridge running while driving.

[Mikec557]

Originally Posted by knight1fox3

Definitely some good discussion here, thanks for the experience/feedback from others. Out of curiosity, how does the solar panel recommendation play into the pre-configured solar interface receptacle (Furrion) for those of us that have it (2019 16BHS)? My receptacle indicates a 10A maximum capacity.

I just looked at the the Renogy 100 watt panel. It indicates the optimum output of 5.3 amps. Optimum: pointed directly at, squarely into, the sun. That almost never happens. In real life use the panels are never "perfectly titled" at the sun, nor constantly turned to track the sun across the sky. I say all that to say this: best amp output is probably mid-to-high 4.x Amps. That said, I think you could safely connect two 100 watt panels to your "10 Amp maximum capacity port." Some might disagree with me. But I think with a PWM solar charge controller, you would not exceed 10A. I suppose with an MPPT solar charge controller, under "optimum conditions" you might get 11-12 Amps. I'd still trust the OEM wire to carry the load. Again, YMMV.

[Gsalet]

Hello
I purchased a wolf pup with the juice pack 50 watts and had the extra 50 watt panel installed by the dealer. This setup will keep the refer going for 3 days or so.
If I had it to do again I would have the 50 watt panel removed and two 200 watt panels installed. also look at the lithium batteries 200 amp fits on tongue and gives you more than 3 times the power.

George

[SacRV]

I wouldn’t even waste my money on a 50w panel. Buy at least one 150w panel. And bare in mind, you’ll never get the stated wattage, solar panels are around 80-90% efficient.

[PFeezzy]

16BHS here originally with the 50 watt. I added three more 50 watt panels to my system running them in series parallel. I also swapped out the controller with a MPPT. If I had to do it all over again, I’d leave the 50 watt array as is and add a separate 200-300 watt array with its own wiring and controller.

I think I’ll be adding two more 50 watt panels to my system and/or a 200 watt suitcase setup.

Yesterday I was getting 165 watts at noon in the Arizona desert when it was in the high 90s. Overall I’m satisfied with my current 200 watt setup.

[ppine]

100 watts is the bare minimum.
200 watts is more like it.
400 watts lets you run what you want.

[jbflag21ds]

Get the most you can afford that fits on your roof. Buy once, cry once!

My 400W and 400Ah is great as long as I don't need the AC when boondocking.