Solar Panels

[ray1933]

Our new unit did not have solar panels, and would like opinions on what size

I would need to not have to use out side power (110) . Keep the dual batteries up so the furnace , 12 volt TV and all other 12 volt items can be used.



We will be doing most of our camping where there is not outside power and I did not get a Onan generator and do not always want to carry my Yamaha Gen along.



I have been looking on line at them and it maybe better to use two units to get the power one needs.



The dealer of course recommends one over 100 watts which is spend y.

The Arctic Fox comes all wired for them so it is just a matter of mounting one and hooking up the wiring.



Thoughts everyone

 

[surfbeetle]

If all that you are wanting is to maintain your 12v system and you don't plan on using shore power (110 ac) then a panel sized about 4' x 4' will be more than enough. I have a 2' x 3' panel and with my 32' trailer and small kids leaving lights on, it is barely enough.



My bro in law has the 4x4 foot panel and it does well with his teenagers charging up their phones and other electronic stuff. We both have two 6 volt batteries rather than one 12 volt battery.



My father has two 4x4 panels on his with six 6volt batteries and a very large inverter, he is able to run his air conditioner for several hours. They key is having the ability to fully charge your batteries in the least amount of time and having enough storage to last until you can charge it again.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

The single GE 50 watt panel my wife and I use easily handles all the 12 volt stuff we commonly use - still need a generator or shore power for the 110 volt stuff, A/C, microwave, etc. We also have a 300 watt inverter to power the 13 inch TV and DVD player for night time and bad weather use.



It all depends on what you plan to commonly use power for, and for what time periods - the 50 watt unit that's fine for my wife and I, probably would have to be doubled for addition of kids and their power hungry playthings - then there's the requirement for LOTS of sun exposure to get maximum charging rate and time. The units mounted to the roof in a permanent fashion are great for traveling and while parked well exposed to the sun - but do you really plan to choose campsites out in the sun, where you will often WANT that 110 volt A/C unit the solar setup will NOT power?



Our panel is on a 20 foot cord that allows the panel to be moved around for constant decent exposure to the sun, and normally needs to be moved several times daily for best efficiency.



Good luck.

 

[JMLambert]

I have 4, 6 volt golf cart batteries and 2, 125 Watt solar panels. I use no 110 power most of the time. The rule of thumb is for every 2 batteries either 6 or 12 volt you need at least 100 watts of power, the dealer was being honest. One of the 125 watt panels will give you a max of 7 amps per hour middle of the day. Keep in mind that you will average far less during the day. You will also need a regulator if the panels are not self regulated. I also carry a 1000 generator for bad sun days.

 

[EricBu12]

i have 4 Golf Cart Batteries and 200 Watts of Panels. . charges around 7 amps when full sun summer. . Charges up during the day so there is power for the night.

 

[69RoadRunner]

If you want to run a furnace, that means you're using it when there's a lot less sunlight. You'll need more solar panel capacity than someone who needs it for summer use.

 

[CKelley1]

changing all of your lights to led lighting helps a lot. a true sine wave inverter still pulls some current even with no load, try to get a 12volt inverter for your laptop. it plugs directly into the 12 volt plug and into the computer that way you only have to turn on the big inverter when you run the microwave or big tv. get a lcd tv only and for small ones get 12 volt. this will limit the size panel you need