2022 Grey Wolf 20 RDSE solar question

[aszkutak450]

Hi I am new to this forum. We've had our 2022 RDSE for about 3 years now (bought new). When we bought it the dealer put in 2 225ah interstate battery 6v lead acid golf cart batteries as we said we'd be doing a fair amount of camping without hookups. This camper came with one solar panel on the roof and a controller mounted in the front storage area. With the 12v fridge running and water pump and some lights sparingly the solar isn't able to keep the batteries charged for more than a couple days. What I am wondering is the easiest and cheapest way I can upgrade to get enough charging ability or battery storage to make 3-4 day dry camping trip doable. I have been looking at changing batteries or adding either a portable solar panel system as well or swapping out the roof panel for something bigger. What would be the easiest option? Thank you for the help,
Andrew

 

[* Boondocking *]

Easiest option would be a good sized portable panel.

 

[bikendan]

What number is before RSDE? The model number has numbers BEFORE RSDE.

 

[aszkutak450]

Thank you, how big of one would you suggest?

 

[aszkutak450]

What number is before RSDE? The model number has numbers BEFORE RSDE.

Sorry, 20 RDSE

Model number added to thread title.

 

[Aussieguy]

looks like your model does not have obstructions on the roof behind the air conditioner
Before you go buy anything get up on roof and take measurements then find panels and sizes to fit in the layout

try not to mix panels of different sizes

I got a 24 foot trailer
behind the a/c put 2 x 370w panels = string one 50amp mppt
in front of a/c can put another 3 or 4, 200w panels in a SECOND string with it's own controller
BUT so far have not needed to add the second string
the 2 panels have taken care of battery charging for the last 9 months

I don't use a Inverter and just use standard 12v stuff (Including 12v fridge)
200ah of lithium battery will last about 3 days without charging
do you use a cpap or anything?

--------------------------------------------------
600 -800w is a good starting point if you want good solar
you will also be best to get a better controller suitable for the number of panels you get up there

 

[tomkatb]

Typical 100 watt solar panels produce 25 ah of charge to your battery per day.

You are likely using over 100 ah per day. Your battery bank is good for 150 ah per day. Assumes no cpap or furnace.

We purchased two 200 ah lithium batteries. Good for 3-4 days for us.

Be cautious. Solar is kind of iffy in the Midwest. Too many clouds and trees. We use a 2200 watt generator every few days. Also can run the ac if necessary.

 

[jlankford]

A 2022 model possibly has one 190 or 200 watt panel. You should determine the size of your one panel and also post here what is the model number of your factory installed solar controller. That would help the people wanting to give you advice. You should also share the model of your 12V fridge. As tomkatb said you are using more than the solar can produce. A 12V fridge is likely consuming 50 ~ 100 Ah per day alone. Knowing the size of your fridge would narrow down that estimate.

 

[acadianbob]

Long term: Another roof mounted solar panel
Short term: A suitcase solar panel.
Option 1: Do both
Option 2: A small inverter sine wave generator

We have a GoPower 130W suitcase that puts out 7 amps in sunshine. 4 to 5 when cloudy. This is in addition to 400W on the roof.

 

[aszkutak450]

Sorry, 20 RDSE

A 2022 model possibly has one 190 or 200 watt panel. You should determine the size of your one panel and also post here what is the model number of your factory installed solar controller. That would help the people wanting to give you advice. You should also share the model of your 12V fridge. As tomkatb said you are using more than the solar can produce. A 12V fridge is likely consuming 50 ~ 100 Ah per day alone. Knowing the size of your fridge would narrow down that estimate.

Hi thank you all for the help! The fridge is everchill WD 282FWDC-B. 10.7 cuft. I will look up the controller when I get home from work. In reference to the lithium batteries. Can you just switch to those batteries from what I have now or do you need to change things with the charging system etc?

 

[dangerranger]

We have a 29QB with pretty much the same solar and appliances. Its advertised as 100 watts of solar. I have 1 group 27 AGM battery. I tested ours to see how long the solar and battery would last parked in full sun.
I filled the freezer with pre frozen bottles of water and pre chilled the refer. I unplugged the shore power at 8 am on day one with only the refrigerator running. On day 4 at sundown my battery was showing 10.5 volts.
It would not have made it through one more night.
So to run anything more than the refer I would need a second battery, or another way to recharge.
We have gotten by with running a small generator a couple hours in the morning and a couple hours before bed. When this single battery gives up I will replace it with twice the storage, and may double the solar on the roof. Here in Central CA the sun is over head most of the day. If I lived farther north the extra solar may not do as much.
We don't dry camp often, so this has not been much of an issue for us. Most places we have been have at least electric hookups. But we have spent a couple travel nights on just battery. As long as I can top off the battery just before bed we have been fine. Good Luck DR

 

[aszkutak450]

Typical 100 watt solar panels produce 25 ah of charge to your battery per day.

You are likely using over 100 ah per day. Your battery bank is good for 150 ah per day. Assumes no cpap or furnace.

We purchased two 200 ah lithium batteries. Good for 3-4 days for us.

Be cautious. Solar is kind of iffy in the Midwest. Too many clouds and trees. We use a 2200 watt generator every few days. Also can run the ac if necessary.

Thanks, what do I need to do to the camper to convert it to run on lithium batteries?

 

[aszkutak450]

A 2022 model possibly has one 190 or 200 watt panel. You should determine the size of your one panel and also post here what is the model number of your factory installed solar controller. That would help the people wanting to give you advice. You should also share the model of your 12V fridge. As tomkatb said you are using more than the solar can produce. A 12V fridge is likely consuming 50 ~ 100 Ah per day alone. Knowing the size of your fridge would narrow down that estimate.

This is all I could find on the solar controller.

 

[Aussieguy]

what do I need to do to the camper to convert it to run on lithium batteries

a) check your converter it may already be lithium capable
2022 is the year they started switching over ..... locate your your converter it is usually in the power distribution center (breaker panel) .. I has a fan attached and you may have to remove the front cover of the breaker panel (a couple of screws)
get the model number of the converter

b) most converters do NOT need to be changed if you only camp weekends and can re-charge the batteries at home.... plug in to a 15 or 20amp from your house?

change converter if you need/want faster charging ... such as while using a generator
look at the wiring to the converter and to the frame make sure good secure connections and that there is good metal to metal contacts Bad negatives will slow down the charging

Your solar controller...
look to see if it has lithium or "user defined" setting
set it up for lithium and it will top off your new battery

if you want better solar do what was mentioned above
get around 600-800w and a better mppt controller

just adding more panels can be a benefit but to get the most out of solar and a carefree camping work out what needs to be done to squeeze out as much power from solar
Especially if you want to occasionally use an inverter.

solar install upgrade is a DIY most people can handle
if you have difficulty find a DIY person to help or look for a auto electrician or solar installer

 

[jlankford]

That SCC is discussed in this thread:

2021 Wolf Pup 14CC question on Waaree IP68 PWM Charge Controller

My 2021 Wolf Pup 14CC came with a Waaree IP68 PWM Charge Controller with nothing said about the amps, though a Cherokee manufacturer video said it is a 30 amp controller. Anyways I am planning to upgrade my 50w solar panel to 12v 200w and also getting a 12v 200ah Lithium Ion battery. So will the...

www.forestriverforums.com

It looks like a 10amp model and won't handle any additional panels. As suggested above, a solar suitcase will be the easiest way for you to expand your system.

 

[dangerranger]

That SCC is discussed in this thread:

2021 Wolf Pup 14CC question on Waaree IP68 PWM Charge Controller

My 2021 Wolf Pup 14CC came with a Waaree IP68 PWM Charge Controller with nothing said about the amps, though a Cherokee manufacturer video said it is a 30 amp controller. Anyways I am planning to upgrade my 50w solar panel to 12v 200w and also getting a 12v 200ah Lithium Ion battery. So will the...

www.forestriverforums.com

It looks like a 10amp model and won't handle any additional panels. As suggested above, a solar suitcase will be the easiest way for you to expand your system.

The OP's controller looks like the OEM in our TT and it will not support additional panels. The wiring coming down from the roof is also only sized for the installed panels. the good news is the wiring runs from the roof through a closet to the passthrough with the controller in it and is in easy areas to pull new wire. DR

 

[Canadian Eh]

Our fridge runs on propane so don't have the same draw as you but camping in the fall means running the furnace which does consume a fair bit of power. We upgraded to 400 amps of Lithium battery just to have a large "gas tank" of hydro. I was also able to fit two 170 watt panels on the roof. Having a battery monitor gives piece of mind when we dry camp, Had to upgrade the charge controller also.