solar charge, battery powered

[URCNJ]

hey guys, i just got my 7x14 trailer and im doing pretty much the same thing as all of you. one twist is im going to make mine solar, the idea being it will charge on the side of my house day in and day out. when i am camping i will be running off of the batteries.

i havent started anything yet but it looks like i will be going with a solar panel (or two) on top of my trailer, a couple of batteries, and an inverter or converter i dont know the difference.

i will be looking for suggestions and advice on any of these items

within the next couple weeks i will be insulating the trailer and installing a couple windows, i plan to use this pink styrofoam type stuff they sell at lowes with a r value of 6, and four windows, basically just horse trailer windows that are 12x 16.

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

I just got a nice battery you might like



http://overthetopcargotrailer.blogspot.com/


Welcome aboard

OTTCT

[cornfused]

First thing is decide how much electricity you will need and how long you will camp. This will allow you to size the inverter, batteries, and solar panels in that order.

[Doublacola]

If you are parking this next to your house you might consider running a small circuit that you can plug into your house if for no other reason emergencies. Keep it 12volts and use 12volt led lights. I've been using a little system like this for 3-4 years now and it works well.

[tony.latham]

"Confused" ain't so baffled, I think he's right about figuring out your electrical usage and then going with that. 95% of my camping is in the boonies, a long way from any "shore power" and I find that a straight 12v system works just fine for my needs –Fantastic fan, DVD player, electric blanket, LED lights, and phone charging. Thank gawd, I live and camp in the Rockies where we don't need no-stinking air conditioners. Even on the last trip where we couldn't find a shady place to camp, our fan kept us cool for those afternoon naps.

Speaking of shade, I'm a big believer in having portable solar panels that allow for a shady campsite and still finding sun for the panels.


I purchased those two 30 watt panels off of Ebay for about $40 apiece and created my own folders by copying Bruce Osborn's panels here:
http://home.comcast.net/~bdosborn/Boxca ... Solar.html I've got a Sungaurd controller in my tongue box that governs the juice coming from the panels. (Thanks to Bruce for the help on this.) Easy to store:


I'm also using a $20 Watt/Amp/Volt meter made by GT Power: http://www.ebay.com/itm/331225673636?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT (I think it's rated for 60 amps or so....) It'll tell me how many watt hours and amp hours I've used for the day. It's nice knowing how deep I've gotten into my Group 27 marine battery. Much better than watching voltage. They are easy to wire in-line.

Tony

[jwhite]

I am planning on buying this folding solar panel that has a built in charger and just hook it up as needed.
I don't really use up that much 12volt so I charge my 2 golf cart batteries with a old school battery charger and it last for days, I think the solar panels would be nice though.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281209696521?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[MtnDon]

Looks like a fair enough deal.

I have not yet gone solar on our CT. Partly because I can not decide the direction I want to pursue. Having a DC powered refrigerator I would like to have some roof mounted solar because then while parked at home and while traveling down the road the solar can maintain / charge the batteries as needed. OTOH I also like portable panels as then they can be positioned most favorably when camped as my favorite camping spots include shade for the trailer. Disadvantage to portable of course, is ease of theft. So there's a place for both fixed and portable. maybe I'll end up with both?

Thanks for the link.

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Don't mess around just get this Set up



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDLM7ZfvmRs

[lrrowe]

Notice the wind blowing the trees in the background. Even if one could pull this behind their TV and camper, how much of an issue is there with the wind? A bunch, I will bet.

[URCNJ]

ok the solar array might be a bit much.
but what i am thinking is 2 solar panels on top going to 2 marine type batteries going to a 3000w inverter (modified sine)
im hoping to power the trailer (4 led lights, vent fan, water pump for sink and outside shower, water heater) with out plugging into anything. 3000w inverter is big for this but if i ever want to add ac i will need the extra capability.
we ususally camp 3 or 4 times a year for 3 day weekends, sometime 4 days.

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

3000w inverter is big for this but if i ever want to add ac i will need the extra capability.
we ususally camp 3 or 4 times a year for 3 day weekends, sometime 4 days.

if you wanna add solar AC - ur gonna need a pretty big pot of GOLD too

[Hiflyer]

ok the solar array might be a bit much.
but what i am thinking is 2 solar panels on top going to 2 marine type batteries going to a 3000w inverter (modified sine)
im hoping to power the trailer (4 led lights, vent fan, water pump for sink and outside shower, water heater) with out plugging into anything. 3000w inverter is big for this but if i ever want to add ac i will need the extra capability.
we ususally camp 3 or 4 times a year for 3 day weekends, sometime 4 days.

To do AC you'd need more like 1200+ AMp hours of batteries...!

http://www.donrowe.com/power-inverter-faq-a/258.htm

Use the calculator located there...

[willfish4fud]

I am planning on buying this folding solar panel that has a built in charger and just hook it up as needed.
I don't really use up that much 12volt so I charge my 2 golf cart batteries with a old school battery charger and it last for days, I think the solar panels would be nice though.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281209696521?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Jwhite,
Did you buy this? Wondering what you think of it (if it has come in)
Thanks

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

To do AC you'd need more like 1200+ AMp hours of batteries...!

http://www.donrowe.com/power-inverter-faq-a/258.htm

Use the calculator located there...

I would STRONGLY disagree, since I was unable to run 500 watts Window AC on 400AH -
With a 500 watt solar incoming.
I doubt 1,500 watt AC would operate on 1200 AH - Flooded for more then 60 - 90 minutes

I would guess that C20 hour drain would be a safe calculation for L16 flooded - to max 50% drain
That's also why I switched to Lithium batteries these support 1C load.

OTTCT