Solar

[PKCSPT]

So every year I say I want to get a small solar panel for my teardrop. This year is the year, I have camping plans that will not have electric. I only to run a fan at night, maybe my little DVD player for an hour, all my lights are AAA battery powered.
For weight and size I am going with the 6 volt(?) smaller battery and a smaller panel.
All I know about solar I have read here.
What I want is an all in one package, go to the store and EVERYTHING Ii need is in one box. Seems everything I have found so far I have to buy this and buy that, or I just can't be sure it is all I need.
Anybody who actually understands what I have just said and has a suggestion where I can find all I need in one box.

[Graniterich]

I think you want to go with a twelve volt battery (system) first off.

[Esteban]

So every year I say I want to get a small solar panel for my teardrop. This year is the year, I have camping plans that will not have electric. I only to run a fan at night, maybe my little DVD player for an hour, all my lights are AAA battery powered.
For weight and size I am going with the 6 volt(?) smaller battery and a smaller panel.
All I know about solar I have read here.
What I want is an all in one package, go to the store and EVERYTHING Ii need is in one box. Seems everything I have found so far I have to buy this and buy that, or I just can't be sure it is all I need.
Anybody who actually understands what I have just said and has a suggestion where I can find all I need in one box.

Maybe a Renogy 100 Watts 12 Volts Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit would get you started on a good solar power system?

[PKCSPT]

Looks like what I was trying to find. Thanks Steve.

[Midget]

We mounted a Renogy 80 watt panel on top of our TD. It is their RV kit. We swapped the controller for a MPPT controller as it is more efficient. Camped for a week and didn't need to plug in to charge the battery at all. The battery stayed charged even after using LED's for lights and charging our cell and lap top.

We have the TD in the barn and the panel is still trickle charging the battery.

Bob

[Shadow Catcher]

There are parts of this equation you may not have thought of, most everything works from 12V and you will be surprised at all of the bits and pieces that can be powered from that 12V, cell phone chargers, battery chargers, we keep one for the battery lights we have, laptop...
Part of this is also maintaining a battery above the magic 50% state of charge http://www.solar-electric.com/deep-cycle-battery-faq.html
We have a single 185W high voltage panel with a Morningstar MPPT controller and a 150AH AGM battery which powers among other things a 12V refrigerator.

[PKCSPT]

I only need it for a small fan. Being I tow with my Beetle I keep my weight as low as possible. No fridge, computer, cell phone charges in the car. My radio has it's own little solar charger built in. Just a small fan for hot nights, if it weren't for liking a fan to sleep I wouldn't even bother.

[Socal Tom]

I would do a test with the fan on and see how long it can run and still keep the battery above 12.2 volts . Make sure you need to charge before you spend the money
Tom

[Kaz]

Re: Car battery as a temporary battery with solar?

Postby tucked » Thu Mar 10, 2016 8:48 pm

Kaz wrote:
I've been doing the same thing for years. 100 watt panel and old car batteries. Used car batteries are easy to come by and sometimes you get a good one. Been using the same one for 4 years. Just led lights and a roof fan. I don't care when it dies I'll just grab another one, I just happen to have three more in my shed always on a 100 watt solar charger. I just run them to death and recycle them for 9 bucks at the scrap yard. It ain't much but it's a free breakfast.