-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Monday 10th of June 2013 06:46:05 PM
ODBeef said
10:43 PM Jun 10, 2013
So after a lot of researching, I've discovered a few tips like using mounting tape instead of drilling, etc. However I'm still pretty in the dark (no pun intended) about what to do in regards to my solar panels. I would like to be able to completely disconnect and go boondock for a week or so at a time. I would also like to be able to power a great many things, as I own a small business that operates off of the internet. I know that this will be costly, most certainly. But what I don't know is how many panels (assuming at 150 watt?) I would need to run my basic appliances, plus a computer, TV, and some additional ones? I'd like as much power as possible within the realm of reality.
I run a 32 foot Winnebago Adventurer (which comes with a single panel for the battery) and assume that I will have to line my entire roof in order to power a great many things. Is that true? I've seen the wattage calculators, but I have so many different items that will be operating at different times, not to mention things that I don't know if I need yet (dehumidifier for my clothing), that I can't even begin to fathom how much I'll need. I hate coming to this community with so many questions and so little to offer in the way of knowledge, but I simply don't know where else to turn, and this forum is by FAR the friendliest. :) So as always, any help is always appreciated.
Beth
GENECOP said
10:50 PM Jun 10, 2013
Beth use the search function and type in Solar, You can then spend several HRS reading and educating yourself.....your question has been asked and discussed hundreds of times. You will also see Jack Mayer, he goes into a lot of detail on his Website....
Lucky Mike said
11:29 PM Jun 10, 2013
it will also depend on how many batteries you can store Beth.. I have 2 - 160 panels & 6 deep 12volt batteries........and boondock all the time(campground 1 nite every 2 weeks) normally I run my generator 2 hours everyday in the morning or evening to top the batteries off & run the A/C and major appliances durring this period......other than that its solar only.....I have no problems with internet ...2 to 3 hours of TV...and all other daily power needs.....phone gets charged either by generator or its own solar panel installed up front and all my batteries for radio , flashlights and such are also done with a solar charger
once you learn to budget your power you will do fine.....I run the laptop off battery power and have a usb charging cable connected to the solar panel for day use and have 2 spare batteries to keep up daily stuff if needed. and also keep spare phone batteries charged
http://www.jackdanmayer.com/rv_electrical_and_solar.htm
Edit by moderator: Activated link. Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Monday 10th of June 2013 06:46:05 PM
So after a lot of researching, I've discovered a few tips like using mounting tape instead of drilling, etc. However I'm still pretty in the dark (no pun intended) about what to do in regards to my solar panels. I would like to be able to completely disconnect and go boondock for a week or so at a time. I would also like to be able to power a great many things, as I own a small business that operates off of the internet. I know that this will be costly, most certainly. But what I don't know is how many panels (assuming at 150 watt?) I would need to run my basic appliances, plus a computer, TV, and some additional ones? I'd like as much power as possible within the realm of reality.
I run a 32 foot Winnebago Adventurer (which comes with a single panel for the battery) and assume that I will have to line my entire roof in order to power a great many things. Is that true? I've seen the wattage calculators, but I have so many different items that will be operating at different times, not to mention things that I don't know if I need yet (dehumidifier for my clothing), that I can't even begin to fathom how much I'll need. I hate coming to this community with so many questions and so little to offer in the way of knowledge, but I simply don't know where else to turn, and this forum is by FAR the friendliest. :) So as always, any help is always appreciated.
Beth
I have 2 - 160 panels & 6 deep 12volt batteries........and boondock all the time(campground 1 nite every 2 weeks) normally I run my generator 2 hours everyday in the morning or evening to top the batteries off & run the A/C and major appliances durring this period......other than that its solar only.....I have no problems with internet ...2 to 3 hours of TV...and all other daily power needs.....phone gets charged either by generator or its own solar panel installed up front and all my batteries for radio , flashlights and such are also done with a solar charger
once you learn to budget your power you will do fine.....I run the laptop off battery power and have a usb charging cable connected to the solar panel for day use and have 2 spare batteries to keep up daily stuff if needed. and also keep spare phone batteries charged
it wont take you to long to figure it out......