Anyone recommend portable solar panel/s for 12v batteries?

[slowneasy]

Can anyone recommend a complete portable solar charger system to recharge a couple of deep cycle 12 volt RV batteries? Be nice not to have to run the genset just to recharge the batteries every couple of days while dry camping.



Thanks!

 

[CDonaldson]

I'm running 3 80w 12 volt panels on my TT, they do a great job. Mounted mine on the roof, ran the wiring into a charge controller, then to my inverter, tied into the battery side of the inverter. You can get them from just about anywhere, google RV solar panels to find different sources. Most all have kits for RV's, find the best price that way.



CD

 

[jelag]

We have a couple of in-expensive (harbor freight) panels we use when we're out elk hunting in winter... . we aim them at the sun while we're out for the day and usually recharge the batteries unless its a cloudy day... . These are very simple and cheep... but we only use them once a year and pack them away for the next season... .

The number of panels and your needs are based on your load (use of batteries). One of my coffee buddies has several panels he sets up in the winter in AZ and with some management that's all he runs most of the 4-5 months he snowbirdrs...

The key to both of these examples is to understand your use and load... CDonaldson has done his homework... .

One last thing... we've found that our gen set on my boys 5er won't fast charge the batteries... it supplies 120V AC to the converter, and it will fast charge for 30 min and than drop to a trickle charge... so the converter won't overcharge the batteries while the unit is plugged into shore power... . so we have a specific gen set for supplying only 12VDC in Elk Camp when the clouds come in... . that will recharge our deep cycle batteries in about 20-25 minutes...

 

[slowneasy]

Thanks for the replies guys... jelag, I think that's what my genset does- rapid charge for thirty minutes than trickle so after an hour and a half/ two hours the batteries aren't fully charged and I get sick of listening to the gen run in camp and it's an Onan Microquiet.



I just have two 12v deep cycle batteries and only use a couple halogen/LED lights and the furnace at night if it's cold enough. So I'm sure a couple three 80 watt or so panels would be enough for me needs. I feel the portable type panels would serve me best as I try to park the trailer in the shade.



Other ideas/suggestions are welcome and I'll Google in the mean time.

 

[icman95]

I, too, have the el cheapo ones, but they're ok for the money. See here: Sunforce 60 Watt Solar Charging Kit — Model# 50044 | Portable Power Solutions | Northern Tool + Equipment



Got them from Northern Tool several years ago. I had to buy them one by one and then get the mounting rack kit separately as they weren't available as a complete kit at the time. The link above is for a complete kit of the panels, wiring, a small inverter, and the rack to mount them on. I keep mine like you see in the pic on Nothern's site and throw the whole thing in the cargo bay of my toyhauler. When needed, I just take it out and put it in the sun. Each panel produces about 1 watt of power, so you get a 4 watt charge which isn't much, but it helps to keep the batts up. You can get panels that charge the batts much more, but you'll be opening up your wallet much more, too.



Besides of the link above, just enter "solar panels" into the keyword search on Northern Tool's site and you'll get quite a selection. The panels I've linked above are also available one by one without the whole rest of the mounting kit and are currently on sale, however the kit is a much better value.



Good luck.

 

[bcbigfoot]

I have a good 80 watt unit, don't remember name off hand. I rank it as #2 best mod to my camper just after the fantastic fan. There are many options I don't use on my camper that I wouldn't order again, like awnings, microwave, stove, sunroof, airconditioner, but the solar panel isn't one of them, I love it.

 

[Road Dog]

Thanks for the replies guys... jelag, I think that's what my genset does- rapid charge for thirty minutes than trickle so after an hour and a half/ two hours the batteries aren't fully charged and I get sick of listening to the gen run in camp and it's an Onan Microquiet.



I just have two 12v deep cycle batteries and only use a couple halogen/LED lights and the furnace at night if it's cold enough. So I'm sure a couple three 80 watt or so panels would be enough for me needs. I feel the portable type panels would serve me best as I try to park the trailer in the shade.



Other ideas/suggestions are welcome and I'll Google in the mean time.

Most chargers do a poor job of quickly charging a battery. If the battery is charged too fast then it heats up and out gasses hydrogen and oxygen. Chargers err on the side of caution and take 20 - 30 hours to fully charge a battery. Unless you're hooking up a charger at home the batteries may never be fully charged (which will shorten their life). Charging while driving doesn't do much either. The vehicle charging system is set up to top up the vehicle battery and (after the voltage drop out out to the trailer) at best it will trickle charge the trailer battery.



The battery charge indicator in most trailers is almost worthless -- it looks at the battery output voltage which is a poor indicator of charge. The best way to check the charge is a load tester (inconvenient) or a battery hygrometer (which measures the amount of acid in the battery).



In the field I use a smart charger plugged into the generator and disconnect the batteries while charging. There are some trailer smart charger-inverters that do a good job too.



If I'm not running the furnace then my single battery camper is good 10 - 14 days.

 

[SNGLESHOT]

I utilize PulseGen's combined solar charger with pulse generator that desulfates the battery which rejuvenates the plate surface area making the charging easier and more complete, extending battery life also. I also bought just a stand alone pulse generator that actually uses the battery current to desulfate itself! It is self contained, draws very little current, and very efficiently extending my battery life in my diesel truck. I also have one that plugs into AC source that has a trickle charger and desulfator pulse generator built into one. This one I leave hooked up to camper batterys, ATV and lawn tractor batterys. They are amazing and work so well. Check this link out.
Pulsetech - Product Information

 

[Duane Stuart]

The first thing you need to decide how many amp hours you are going to use per day and then how many hour of sunlight to replace what you have used. Don't forget your panel will charge in the rain. example 7 amp hours per day for water pump for water. If you want TV try and use a 12 volt. you will lose power if you have an inverter converting from 12 to 110. I can charge 5 amp per hour with my set up, with all the comfort of home I figures 40 amp hours per day so I need 8 hours of sun light.

 

[rwitt]

Here's a site that gives some really good information on solar panels, battery charging etc. AM Solar - Educational Pages

Rich

 

[slowneasy]

Good things to look at/think about guys, thanks!



I ended up ordering a complete portable unit from AM Solar (the site you linked to rwitt). I had read their site earlier and called to talk to them. I talked to Roger there at AM Solar and he told me they just got in a new portable solar charger that wasn't on their site yet. They have to models- an 80W and a 120W one. I went with the 120W one and should be receiving it tonight. I don't have all the details but the charge controller is built right into the back of the unit and comes with 15' of cable and alligator clips to connect to the battery/ies. Maybe I can get some pics over the next few days of the unit for anyone interested. Seems pretty nice and it was what I was looking for.

 

[Shadrach]

I have an 80w panel mounted on the roof of my TT, a 1750 inverter and two 6 volts golf car batteries. if I am only using the water pump, lights and the fantastic fan it's good for 2-4 days depending on the amount of sun I get. I like to came in the trees to stay out of the heat. With only one panel the rate of charge is slow, up to 4. 5 watts max, and thats only in full sun. Two more panels would be great. i thought about adding either 4 more 6 volts , expensive, or 2 4D batteries mounted in the back of the truck and connect them with a fork lift style battery cable. I don't have room for any more batteries on the tongue of the trailer. If I use the microwave it really sucks down the power and I usually won't make it back before the weekend is over. I bought the "weekender kit" from these guys several years ago. GPElectric. Don't forget to keep your panel clean and wash the dust off it from time to time. Shadrach

 

[rwitt]

If you do dry camp a lot, and would like to know exactly what your battery condition is, look into getting a battery monitor like the Trimetric. Gives amps in and out, voltage level, percent of battery level from full charge and more. I have one in my Arctic Fox. TriMetric Battery Monitor

Rich