I'm back, Solar Charger Review

[jeepmaniowa]

I ordered the "jumbo kit" from RV Solar Electric, with an upgrade to the SB 2000E controller.  I then mixed and matched pieces and parts to get the system like I wanted it.  I did not use the supplied wire however because it was too stiff for what I wanted.

JimS,

Do how would you rate the performance of your solar kit now?
I'm in the internal debate phase with myself.  My popup  will be in my garage for 5-6 months out of the year, so I want to be able to utilize a portable system.

Thanks.

Bob

[JimS]

JimS,

Do how would you rate the performance of your solar kit now?
I'm in the internal debate phase with myself.  My popup  will be in my garage for 5-6 months out of the year, so I want to be able to utilize a portable system.

Thanks.

Bob

Bob, I rate the system performance as excellent.  It does exactly what I was hoping for.  My last trip to Glacier was 10 days with 7 of them cloudy and with rain.  The system still managed to keep the batteries above 70% with our using the lights and heater as wished.  The panel was able to make about one amp when cloudy and up to 9 amps in direct sun.  With the draw of 0.8 amps from the LED lights, most of the time it was a wash.  The few sunny moments we had were able to make up for the use of the heater and water pump.  Again, being able to move the panel around is a big help in keeping maximum light on it.  The three days we had partly cloudy skies, all that was needed was about 3 - 4 hours to fully charge the batteries.
Hope this helps,
Jim

[jeepmaniowa]

Bob, I rate the system performance as excellent.  It does exactly what I was hoping for.  My last trip to Glacier was 10 days with 7 of them cloudy and with rain.  The system still managed to keep the batteries above 70% with our using the lights and heater as wished.  The panel was able to make about one amp when cloudy and up to 9 amps in direct sun.  With the draw of 0.8 amps from the LED lights, most of the time it was a wash.  The few sunny moments we had were able to make up for the use of the heater and water pump.  Again, being able to move the panel around is a big help in keeping maximum light on it.  The three days we had partly cloudy skies, all that was needed was about 3 - 4 hours to fully charge the batteries.
Hope this helps,
Jim

Jim,

Thanks for the update.  I'm thinking of getting one to semi-permanent mount on the roof of the popup, and then get another that would be mobile.

One more question, if it hasn't already been answered above.  Are you using the Dual 6v batteries or still using 12v batteries?  Thanks.

Bob

[JimS]

Jim,



One more question, if it hasn't already been answered above.  Are you using the Dual 6v batteries or still using 12v batteries?  Thanks.

Bob

Bob, I'm using dual Trojan T-105 Plus 6V batteries.  They give me about 3 1/2 times the capacity of the old battery.

[jeepmaniowa]

Bob, I'm using dual Trojan T-105 Plus 6V batteries.  They give me about 3 1/2 times the capacity of the old battery.

Jim,

Thanks for all the info you have provided thus far.  I'm getting my Christmas wish list together.  

I will probably wait and buy batteries early next season (Apr/May).  I only have a few more campouts left this year and my camping budget is nearly exhausted.    But it sure is fun prepping it and personalizing it.

My weekend project is to wire my TV with a quick connect on the front bumper so I can charge the camper battery, this way I don't have to pop the hood.

My winter project will be to mount the 6v x2 system and the solar panels.  I think I will go with two 85watt panels.   Generator is a last resort.  Hoping I won't need one.

Later,

Bob

[sundawg]

i had purchased this for my batteries

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=90599&CategoryName=&SubCategoryName=

it works realy good here in arizona

Dean

do you have any pix of the set up, i was going to do the same thing, what battery do you use? any other info would be great.

[Lynnb]

do you have any pix of the set up, i was going to do the same thing, what battery do you use? any other info would be great.

For over a year I have had 2 HF solar kits installed on the roof of my PU. 2 HF kits=90 watts. And I have not charged the PU battery except through the solar panels during this time. I dry camp exclusively, and never plug the PU to 120v. This set up is working great for the type of camping I enjoy.
I can use the the furnace, lights, Fantastic fan, Sirius radio and water pump and never drain the battery. Of course I camp in the Southwest with endless sunshine.
I will be adding another group 27 battery at some point for more reserve in case of extended bad weather. The battery now recharges to full charge by noon every day(when in use dry camping) so it can handle another battery and still reach full charge during the day.
The panels are permanetly mounted on the roof with a provision to tilt the panels in the winter. I have Xantrex charge controller to keep the battery properly maintain when the PU is stored outside., as it is 365 days a year. I will ry to post some picture later.

[handfixer]

For over a year I have had 2 HF solar kits installed on the roof of my PU. 2 HF kits=90 watts. And I have not charged the PU battery except through the solar panels during this time. I dry camp exclusively, and never plug the PU to 120v. This set up is working great for the type of camping I enjoy.
I can use the the furnace, lights, Fantastic fan, Sirius radio and water pump and never drain the battery. Of course I camp in the Southwest with endless sunshine.
I will be adding another group 27 battery at some point for more reserve in case of extended bad weather. The battery now recharges to full charge by noon every day(when in use dry camping) so it can handle another battery and still reach full charge during the day.
The panels are permanetly mounted on the roof with a provision to tilt the panels in the winter. I have Xantrex charge controller to keep the battery properly maintain when the PU is stored outside., as it is 365 days a year. I will ry to post some picture later.

I have my Kyocera 85 watt solar panel wired directly to my dual 12v deep cycle battery and it meets all my basic needs. I am wanting to charge my cell phone or maybe my laptop computer a couple of hours a day.  Is there any harm in running a 400 watt inverter directly off the battery while the solar panel is connected?

[wavery]

I have my Kyocera 85 watt solar panel wired directly to my dual 12v deep cycle battery and it meets all my basic needs. I am wanting to charge my cell phone or maybe my laptop computer a couple of hours a day.  Is there any harm in running a 400 watt inverter directly off the battery while the solar panel is connected?

No harm at all, as long as you don't over stress a single battery with a 400W load for more than a few minutes. Charging the items mentioned will be no issue at all.

We have a 2500W inverter on our trailer with 2-29 series deep cell batteries. We often run the 900W microwave off of the inverter (during quiet hours) to make popcorn or our 1200W coffee maker in the morning (for 10 minutes) to brew that 1st pot of coffee (during quiet hours).

[tplife]

I'd like to get a charger for my Optima house battery in the future when the prices fit my budget.  BTW, don't leave your inverter plugged in when not using it - it will drain your power as it draws power even when not in use.  That's why I try to use converters whereever possible.

[Lynnb]

do you have any pix of the set up, i was going to do the same thing, what battery do you use? any other info would be great.

roof mounted panels can be tilted for max exposure.

[Lynnb]

I have my Kyocera 85 watt solar panel wired directly to my dual 12v deep cycle battery and it meets all my basic needs. I am wanting to charge my cell phone or maybe my laptop computer a couple of hours a day.  Is there any harm in running a 400 watt inverter directly off the battery while the solar panel is connected?

I found the comon inverters (square wave) overheat my computer charger so I found a small sine wave (180 watts) inverter to use for this task. This works great and is 90% + effiecent. Lynn

[chasd60]

I found the comon inverters (square wave) overheat my computer charger so I found a small sine wave (180 watts) inverter to use for this task. This works great and is 90% + effiecent. Lynn

Now you just need to do what I did when my camper was parked in the driveway. I ran a cord from the inverter and powered my bedroom lights and television with the camper batteries. Full batteries take no charge so I used it up at night and put it back during the day although it was a pain cleaning the snow from them in the winter.

I had two 80W panels and a pair of 210AH batteries on my hybrid.