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Kyrila → Solar and Alternative Energy for RV's: November 7, 2019I'm shopping for my first solar power system and finding good deals on everything except the batteries. I can easily afford the Renogy 400w/12v Monocrystalline panels, and it includes a basic charge controller, but the charge controller doesn't have a di... moreI'm shopping for my first solar power system and finding good deals on everything except the batteries. I can easily afford the Renogy 400w/12v Monocrystalline panels, and it includes a basic charge controller, but the charge controller doesn't have a digital display. How important is that? Should I upgrade the controller right off the bat, or just use the one included for awhile? Also, I can afford a PowerBright 12v/2300w Inverter (forgot to check if it's pure sine wave). Should I add the voltage sensing relay? And how many batteries should I plan on getting for maximum storage? less
charles formbyNovember 7, 2019
Yes, up grade, pure sine is always better for certain equipment. Best batteries , 2 or 4 . Room carry is important.
KyrilaNovember 7, 2019What does "room carry" mean? And are two batteries enough? It would take me months to afford just one. And do I need the digital display on the controller or the voltage sensing relay? I already know that the Pure Sine Wave is best... moreWhat does "room carry" mean? And are two batteries enough? It would take me months to afford just one. And do I need the digital display on the controller or the voltage sensing relay? I already know that the Pure Sine Wave is best on the inverter--I had no questions about that. less
charles formbyNovember 7, 2019
Most RV s, have enough room for 2 batteries, larger 40 footers desiel have 4 or more.
My 5th wheel only 2, but I do have room for more, in the basement. Or just carry in the back bed of the truck, just saying, make it work.
Dave and Terry Clayton November 7, 2019Make sure that the solar controller is a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) type and not Pulse Width Modultation (PWM) type. The PWM throws away some power in the process. I would buy a solar controller that has the ability to add a readout (... moreMake sure that the solar controller is a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) type and not Pulse Width Modultation (PWM) type. The PWM throws away some power in the process. I would buy a solar controller that has the ability to add a readout (remote preferred). Also, you will want a battery monitor like the VictronConnect BMV-712. That way you can see the power coming from the solar panels and the power going into the battery. The difference is what is being used by the RV. less
JLF November 7, 2019Assuming 5 hours of good sun per day each set of 400 watt panels will produce 2000 watt-hours or 167 amp-hours per day at 12 volts. After some charging loss we could assume around 150 for round figures. This would be the max that you would be able t... moreAssuming 5 hours of good sun per day each set of 400 watt panels will produce 2000 watt-hours or 167 amp-hours per day at 12 volts. After some charging loss we could assume around 150 for round figures. This would be the max that you would be able to put back into the batteries each day. The number of batteries necessary for maximum storage depends on the storage capacity of each battery. A pair of commonly used 6 volt golf cart batteries connected in series may have a rating around 220 amp hours. A pair of common 12 volt batteries connected in parallel may be around 200 amp hours total. If you choose lead acid batteries it is generally recommended to only use half of their capacity. It is also generally recommended to fully charge batteries each day, so extra panel capacity doesn't hurt. True deep cycle batteries should be chosen. less
John T November 7, 2019Kyrila, lots of good questions, here's my engineers take based on a ton of real world experience dry camping with solar: …
"I can easily afford the Renogy 400w/12v Monocrystalline panels, and it includ... moreKyrila, lots of good questions, here's my engineers take based on a ton of real world experience dry camping with solar: …
"I can easily afford the Renogy 400w/12v Monocrystalline panels, and it includes a basic charge controller, but the charge controller doesn't have a digital display. How important is that?"
… You can obviously live without a digital display but its a good thing to better monitor battery and charging status. …
While solar harvest depends on physical location and time of year and sun intensity and angle based on my own personal experience in the locations and time of year where I've dry camped I can state this: ..
If you have 400 watts of flat roof mounted solar you might (subject to sun intensity and angle and time over a typical day harvest 100 Amp Hours to maybe as high as 150. SO RUN AN ENERGY AUDIT TO SEE IF THATS ENOUGH SOLAR There can be days of no sun or rain and it can be cloudy or you're parked in the shade !!!!!!!!!!!!
.. NOTE Regardless how many solar watts you have remember charge controllers are NOT 100% efficient and batteries don't charge at 100% efficiency IE just because you have 400 solar watts on the roof does NOT mean your batteries will charge at a 400 watt rate WELL DUH
"… Should I upgrade the controller right off the bat, or just use the one included for awhile?"
Sure the one included will "work" but if its a cheaper PWM you could harvest more energy if you upgraded to a MPPT but those aren't cheap. Check prices and your budget and make the call. If within budget I would upgrade now and be done with it... …
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"I can afford a PowerBright 12v/2300w Inverter (forgot to check if it's pure sine wave)". …
I would ONLY buy a PSW if starting out
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.." And how many batteries should I plan on getting for maximum storage?" ..
. YOU NEED TO RUN AND ENERGY AUDIT but I can tell you this: Get as many amp hours of battery storage capacity as you can reasonably accommodate. A minimum may be two Trojan T-105 6 volters in series for 225 Amp Hours..I upgraded to 12 Volt Deep Cycle AGM batteries for less maintenance and saving that series connection. I suggest 12 Volt Deep Cycle AGM';s versus 6 Volt or other flooded lead acid batteries LESS MAINTENANCE. I have three they are 12 volts 208 Amp Hours in frame size 4D weighing 129 lbs. One will be near equal to two Trojan T-105 six volters in series. I would envision at least one of those 12 volt deep cycle AGM's (208 amp hours) or if an energy audit justifies it two of them in parallel. …
.. NOTE I suggest enough battery capacity so when 9 AM or so rolls around in the morning you have not discharged over 50% (I prefer not over 30%) and have enough solar so by late morning or noon you have charged back up to 100% SOC. RUN AN ENERGY AUDIT if you achieve those two goals your off to a good start.
Jeff and Sandra DoanNovember 9, 2019I understand being on a budget! My solar system started with four 100w panels and a MPPT controller ($650), mounted on a homemade pivoting frame. A solar tracking system ($115), and four 105Ahr lead acid batteries ($99 at O'Reilly's Auto Parts). I added a... moreI understand being on a budget! My solar system started with four 100w panels and a MPPT controller ($650), mounted on a homemade pivoting frame. A solar tracking system ($115), and four 105Ahr lead acid batteries ($99 at O'Reilly's Auto Parts). I added a 5000w PSW inverter ($500 from Ebay) and eventually added two 100w panels ( less than $100 each at Amazon) to the roof of my RV. I have not used my system enough to see what it can really do so far. Last March I was planning to, but found that I had forgotten to service my batteries. They were ruined and would not hold a charge. I had to replace them before I could use solar. If I had the $$ I would buy AGM batteries, but they are much more expensive and I have been spending everything I have getting ready to build a new home base in KY. less
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