Solar ?

[snowball]

we have solar panels as well as a generator now if I knew how to hook up the genny that would help....but having the panels and the inverter saved my butt when not having electricity..I have a fish tank that needs the bubbles! and it will run off the inverter...with Larry's and my difference in watching tv am hoping that I won't run the genny as long as we used to but shall see cause I do love the tv at night or will when I finally get it hooked up think I have problems with my box...if I could have what I really would like it would be a combo of all three the solars to gather the sun the wind charger (they have a size that will work with rv's) that will charge during the night time and in the winds as well as the genny for the use of the microwave and toaster ect...greedy aren't I
sheila

[JanetA]

I have a solar panel on my new (to us) MH. I was thrilled! it seems to be doing the trick and we have 2 house batteries and one coach(engine) battery. I am still not up to speed reading the manual that came w/ Beatrice, but I will,, over and over again. Roy is getting into it as well! we are thrilled to begin our adventure! more in another topic/thread. just wanted to say we are solar-powered! will let ya know when I learn more!

[mitch5252]

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A guy over on rv dot net sent me this link to his Solar 101 Blog page.
I think it's going to be a good read, but I'm off to bed.

http://www.chromolywally.com/?p=188

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[sunfun]

Does anyone know what happens if I use more power than is avail, does the solar system just cut off, or go poof? There is no damage right?

If a RV is on pure solar for boondocking, and there is no generator or gas, then the solar demand is the amount of the largest use appliance's start load, is that right? Sorry if I ask the question confusing, anyone get me? Example

water heater* .6 kw per day 30-45 minutes only
fridge .5 kw per day 24 hours
freezer 1 kw per day 24 hours
oven .6 kw night 30 minutes
computer .5 kw night 5 hours
various charge phone, computer, vacuum, power tools, lights, etc .5 kw 1 hour
washer machine .3 kw per week 30 minutes

*This solar / wind calculation requires the on/ off of the water heater for optimum savings. Therefore, I can turn it on for 30-45 minutes each day to get hot water, yet I can leave it off the rest of the time to save energy.

According to widely used solar formulas - the appliances total 4 kw per day / 5 hours sunlight x .80 (deduct 20% inefficiency) = .960 kw that is same as 960 watts system. This formula shows that the above appliance configuration requires a system that is 960 watts.

I wonder if a 1000 watt solar system, a 500 watt wind generator, and battery power to cover it. Anyone have info on how to choose the battery amounts? I think I want 2000 watts per day for 2 days as battery power. That ought to cover the basics during a storm. Do the calculations seem correct for solar?
Anyone have a wind gen on their rig?

Thank you for any insights are much appreciated.

warm in texas 102 degrees

[JoanE]

Mitch, thanks for the link. Not only is it helpful with solar info but the guy has a very interesting blog in regard to bike touring, learning Spanish and fiscal responsibility. Good reading.

[Bethers]

Sunfun, You'll have lots of little things pulling power. I never run my fridge off the batteries power - use gas for it. It comes on and off a lot and pulls a lot from the batteries.

I haven't spent the time figuring all the watts, etc - I just don't use as much "stuff" when there's less sun, and do the major things (vacuuming, for example) after I know the batteries are fully charged from overnight and there's going to be lots of sun to allow me to charge everything (computers, etc) even with the drain from the vacuum. I want full batteries for whatever I use overnight again. In the winter, there's way more hours of dark, and your heater pulls a lot if used (I know you say, it's gas, but the BLOWER is powered by the batteries).

So, the question is - how many batteries do you have and how much solar to power them? I went up to 4 batteries and 2 135 watt solar panels - and it works fine for me. Probably overkill on the batteries, but I no longer have a generator at all, so need to know I'm good.

[sunfun]

I think I hit return by accident before i finished my previous post, sorry, it looks like I sent it before it was done.

There is a Crown 220 amp deep cycle for $120 and therefore 5 of them would suit my solar array design for 1000 watt solar, 500 watt wind, 1000 amp battery. The price is quite pleasing as most cost much more than that (I can share the link yet I wasnt sure if it is ok to post it). I'm working through a proposed design as I do research on it. I will price out the parts and post my findings here in case it helps anyone else. I feel the 1500 watt hybrid system will produce 6 kw per day on average. The solar will trump the days production, whereas the wind gen. will provide night energy. I have to check the weight of these items and see if my frame will accommodate.

I don't mind conserving power too, like putting off vacuuming or hot water use if there is a no sun for a few days or a week. I just want to make sure there is enough power to keep food cold so it doesn't spoil. While hot water is nice from the water heater, one can also heat up water on the wood stove or outdoor fire pit.

I'm sure you all know the trick to leave a gallon of water in the sun for a while and use it for hot shower. I've taken showers with a gallon of hot added to some cold water. Its called a navy shower where you use small amount water to get wet, then soap up, then rinse. I can use just half gallon for a thorough shower. Use a gallon jog and dump the water on oneself. Not the greatest convenience yet it serves its purpose. Yet with long hair, that takes many gallons so luckily is not every day the hair gets washed.

Sunfun

[mitch5252]

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Why, that mention of a gallon of water in the sun reminded me I have this to bring with us...



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[BirdbyBird]

Sunfun.....I think most of us really conserve the electric use when we boondock to manage what we need. I think the weight and space of extra batteries can take a toll on some of the smaller rigs. Unless I had Beth's situation of having no functioning generator, I think I would compromise and run my generator as a back up for those times when the sun was not enough. It doesn't take very long to recharge the batter bank and it would not be needed most of the time, but then besides my tech stuff I can live without a lot of electric appliances.....

[JanetA]

So many useful gadgets! so little storage space! IE,,, I can't put EVERY single wonderful gadget in my rv... i'd be overloaded for sure!!

[WickedLady]

Sunfun: Your solar system does nothing but charge your batteries. If you drain all the available power from the batteries they will not last long and you will not have any electricity.
Marda

[snowball]

Sunfun...you mentioned being worried about food not keeping right...can't you put your freg on propane??
hope so if not you will have problems...but most of them do I think if so then when boon docking refrigerator should be on propane
sheila

[mitch5252]

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The Solar Stuff arrived a short while ago...let the frustration begin!



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[JoanE]

Mitch, are you doing the install yourself?

Here is another link to solar info and explanations. This guy explains starter kits to big time installs for full timers.
http://roadslesstraveled.us/rv-solar-po ... -tutorial/

[mitch5252]

Mitch, are you doing the install yourself?/

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I was hoping to. But I may have reached the end of my mechanical abilities.
It's down to drilling holes in the trailer and I am not comfortable with that.
I haven't given up, though.
Yet.
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