Solar Panel

[Dean Upson]

Is a solar panel a worthwhile investment on a truck camper? I have been told that they do not work as well in northern areas and there is not much room to put a very big one on a tc. Thanks

 

[JFaughn]

Its all about the math , what do you want to do with electric ?
There are a lot of sizes & a few types of pannels, if you find a source that has resounable prices and you understand that the RV using is going to limit what you can do [ becouse of space for pannels and weight of real deepcycle batteries ] than you could be a real happy camper [ electrical with no sounds or fuel cost ] .
If its built rite and well treated , than you could get the batteries to go for ten yrs. or more and the pannels last forever [ most have a 25 yr. warrenty ] - now that is better that any generator [ whitch you may want as a back up ] .
To do it rite talks a lot of info , start with Home Power magazine .

 

[bjonesAZ]

I remember New England as having quite a few overcast days per month; so it's going to depend when and where you camp.



At the ranch, 10 panels run a residence and bunk house totally off-grid. If the panels were set up to follow the sun, probably 8 panels would be cutting it close for summer a/c usage. The unit that follows the sun is price equivalent to one panel. Two 6v golf cart type batteries are better than one 12v deep cycle battery; there are no 12v batteries in the battery bank.



In addition, there is one panel that operates the well pump (260ft) w/o batteries and it will pull 800 to 1200 gallons into a 1500 gallon tank during daylight hours with top feed about 16ft high. These panels are about 20"x36" and I don't recall the wattage at present.



This part of Arizona could probably convert to solar and why it's not part of new code built homes I don't know.



Voltaic cell technology is constantly changing and panels come in different sizes. There are certain formulas that will tell you what you will require for your elec consumption. If you like to remote camp; then it's something worth looking into. Hope this example helps in letting you know what the potential for solar power is.



Bob

 

[litespeed]

Is a solar panel a worthwhile investment on a truck camper? I have been told that they do not work as well in northern areas and there is not much room to put a very big one on a tc. Thanks

Sounds like a "wives tale" to me. Most of the newer solar panels work great in low light and even in total cloud cover.



I'm playing with a trickle charge system so I can run off batteries in remote locations and for those long power outages durring and after Hurricanes.



Funny thing about Generators. You always hear about people stealing them. I dont think I have ever once heard of a solar panel being stolen down here. If they only knew? :-laf Just goes to show the mentality of the people that steal stuff. For the price of 2 quality panels you could by a whole bunch of generators.



Generators are just a pain.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I run a GE 60 watt (4. 5 amp) panel, and it will supply all 12 volt operation for our 24 ft Kit 5er - including a 13 inch TV/VCR and outboard DVD player all run off a 300 watt solid state inverter. Only thing we need the Honda 2000 generator for, is microwave, toaster and other similar high-wattage AC appliances. As stated in earlier posts, the newer and better quality panels provide far greater efficiency in compromised light situations, and last MANY years - our older GE 25 watt panel is lots less tolerant of poor light conditions - but still puts out its rated 2 amps, and is about 30 years old...

 

[Russknh]

Get hold of Jim and Sue thru RV NET, they lived fulltime in a truck camper for over a year-he had solar, inverters, wireless hub for all that camped with him and every other trick you ever see in a class A. They finally upgraded to a Discovery earlier this year after we all did the Lance factory tour and he has it all set up now. I don't know anyone else that could give you so much info and when you read his stories and look at his picture albums you will see what I mean. They have one of those big dollar satelite dishes and you can click on his number and see where they are at all the time--I be hundreds of people watch them and dream like I do!!