Here's the scenario... you've topped off your batteries for the day and it's still relatively early... what do you do with the still pouring in solar power you're generating? Has anybody hooked up their solar to their water heater to take up some of that excess juice? What would be involved in setting up such system? My thinking is why not use it instead of using up propane in a boondocking situation or to cut your electric bill if in a electric billed separately situation.
Lynn and Ed said
11:57 AM Feb 21, 2019
In theory you can use the excess solar power to operate anything that is 12 volt (i.e., pulling directly from your batteries) or powered via your inverter, assuming you have the inverter turned on and the desired item was wired to run via the inverter. You just need to make sure the RV is wired accordingly (i.e., we have some items/outlets in our RV that are tied into the inverter and others that are not, for various reasons).
Lynn and Ed said
12:02 PM Feb 21, 2019
Re: "cut your electric bill if in a electric billed separately situation"
Some inverters provide you with that option (i.e., it will first use your available solar power, then make-up the difference pulling from the campground "pedestal").
-- Edited by Lynn and Ed on Thursday 21st of February 2019 03:10:05 PM
LarryW21 said
08:37 PM Feb 21, 2019
Great concept. Heat water from solar after batteries are full...showers, dishes!
Here's the scenario... you've topped off your batteries for the day and it's still relatively early... what do you do with the still pouring in solar power you're generating? Has anybody hooked up their solar to their water heater to take up some of that excess juice? What would be involved in setting up such system? My thinking is why not use it instead of using up propane in a boondocking situation or to cut your electric bill if in a electric billed separately situation.
Re: "cut your electric bill if in a electric billed separately situation"
Some inverters provide you with that option (i.e., it will first use your available solar power, then make-up the difference pulling from the campground "pedestal").
-- Edited by Lynn and Ed on Thursday 21st of February 2019 03:10:05 PM