Cross country without electricity

[Shadow Catcher]

One of the problems as I understand it in using the TV for charging is lack of regulation in getting the battery to 100% SOC. I know a number of the bigger motor homes are using Balmar three stage regulators and alternators http://www.balmar.net . When you have put a some hundreds of dollars into a solar system and three stage converter charger, seems a bit silly to have an iffy only partially regulated supply coming from the TV.
I am thinking of disconnecting the charging line to the TV as the solar does the job nicely.

[bdosborn]

Solar is a last ditch thing. If you are in place for a week at a time in a dry camp, solar is great. Otherwise, there are much better ways to make electricity.

I'm always amazed by the "experts" who offer advise on solar panels and have never owned one.

Bruce

[Lgboro]

I'm with Bruce on this one, I'm certainly no expert on solar, led, and battery issues but my son is an engineer who is on the cutting edge of these technologies and the only thing he would change on my set up would be solar panel quality. He has access to solar chips that are use in space applications that I surely can't afford. I have over 9000 miles and 8+ weeks living in my tear this season and never had a thought of "am I going to run out of electricity" or "where can I plug in". It only took a short time for my 80 watt panel bring my battery up to full power. It is permanently mounted on the roof of my tear and the total cost is probably under $350 and that was without shopping too hard for bargains. If I were to build another tear it would certainly have solar as a key power source. I'm sure I saved enough money boon docking to have paid for my current solar set up. I spent $10 on a 7500+ 7 week trip on campground fees plus a few $5 showers that I didn't count.

[8ball_99]

Like others said if you move often its not to bad keeping your batteries charged. When we take trips we tend to go 5-6 hour drives from the house. So when we go we almost always leave on a wednesday or thursday and come back the following sunday. So its always 3-4 days in one spot. Some places we go have free camping areas with no hook ups and no bathhouse.. Others have boon docking spots for 15 and RV spots for 30-40 bucks.. It was pretty easy for me to do the math. Being self contained would pay for its self pretty quick.. Plus it gives me the freedom to camp anywhere. So on busy weekends I don't have to stay where everyone else does..

As far as solar being a waste I don't think so.. Its not very cost effective in a lot of cases and its also not very practical a lot of the time.. But in a trailer it makes pretty good since.. Most don't need much power and a lot of times people are camping in places where they don't have shore power. I don't really see a better place for it then a camper...

[Lgboro]

On the repeated point of charging going down the road ---- the roads I travel are 100% in the noon day sun and are sunny if the sun is shining most of the useable hours for solar charging. If my solar system ever gets to where it is not sufficient I will upgrade either the battery or add a panel to compensate. If I were to do the math I'm sure my system has already paid for itself by giving my the ability to boondock to save $$$.

[Mary C]

Hi. I am Mary a newbie but I am curious, when I build my teardrop ( in the summer-fall2013) is there considerations in the wiring that I should make if down the road if I want to add solar? If so, what size wiring should I use 12G or 14G or? I am not electrically inclined and want to cover my bases if the day arrives and I want solar. I am using Joannes and Bruce's wiring diagram. I am planning my "Big Trip" in 2015, as cross country, west coast touring and meet and greet.
My brother will help me build if I bring him the plans. I am currently working on getting the plans together. Any help will be appreciated.

[Lgboro]

I used 10 gauge wire from the panel to the solar controller. That is probably minimum although much would depend on the size of your system and how far the panel is from the controller. I did add framing where the panel was to go just in case and decided to go ahead while I was building. You could build in some conduit so you could pull the wire later if it is in a position where a wire pull is feasible although the thickness of the wire makes it more difficult. Also, several people have used portable setups with a good deal of success I just didn't want to have to set mine up each time. If you need more info there is a lot you can find with a search or just post your question if you do get your answer here.

[bdosborn]

Hi. I am Mary a newbie but I am curious, when I build my teardrop ( in the summer-fall2013) is there considerations in the wiring that I should make if down the road if I want to add solar?

You'll want to do some planning now and then you can easily add a panel later. Where do you want your battery to be? Where will your fuse box go? You'll need a spot close to the battery for the solar controller. Where do you think you'll want to penetrate the roof with the wires to the panel? I made mine right by the hatch hinge. Oh and #12 wire is fine for anything 100 watts and smaller.

Bruce

[Mary C]

Bruce, I was planning to put one big box in the front with the battery and lp but after reading here about fumes and explosions I now am having to re think and re design I am planning to use a boat trailer found one for $100 and kinda remake it so I will probably add to the front somehow. Thanks for the info though about the solar panel I plan to mount it on the roof although I have future plans for a fishing Kayak to consider so about the hole for the wire etc. I haven't got that far. There is an old parts store and the man who owned it passed and his wife has it open one day a week and is selling things cheap so I thought I would grab wire this next week. I will grab everything I can afford. Thanks!!!

[Lgboro]

Most boat stores have a through the hull fitting that works good for running a cable through the roof of a tear. It was only 5 or 6 dollars if my memory is correct and comes in black or white. I put my wire through where a light fixture is so that I could get to the wire easily in case I need to only needing to drop a light fixture (2 screws).

[jstrubberg]

Solar is a last ditch thing. If you are in place for a week at a time in a dry camp, solar is great. Otherwise, there are much better ways to make electricity.

I'm always amazed by the "experts" who offer advise on solar panels and have never owned one.

Bruce

I don't own one because I can add and divide and all that stuff. I research before I buy.

Again, if you don't have a way to make electricity (extended boondocking, topping off batteries on a docked boat, etc), solar does the job. Unfortunately, in most areas it produces such a small amount of electricity that you can get more from your car just hooking up the trailer and running to the convenience store.

We've looked at active solar for our home and camper, and active and passive solar for our business. In the midwest, you can't make it pay.

[eamarquardt]

If you're moving every day or every other day, you could accomplish more charging in 15 minutes from your two vehicle while on the road than your solar panel is providing all day in full sunlight.

Solar is a last ditch thing. If you are in place for a week at a time in a dry camp, solar is great. Otherwise, there are much better ways to make electricity.

Yup but sometimes ya just wanna be cool and solar, IMHO, is cool for off the grid applications.

Cheers,

Gus

[8ball_99]

Solar is a last ditch thing. If you are in place for a week at a time in a dry camp, solar is great. Otherwise, there are much better ways to make electricity.

I'm always amazed by the "experts" who offer advise on solar panels and have never owned one.

Bruce

I don't own one because I can add and divide and all that stuff. I research before I buy.

Again, if you don't have a way to make electricity (extended boondocking, topping off batteries on a docked boat, etc), solar does the job. Unfortunately, in most areas it produces such a small amount of electricity that you can get more from your car just hooking up the trailer and running to the convenience store.

We've looked at active solar for our home and camper, and active and passive solar for our business. In the midwest, you can't make it pay.

I don't think you can compare large home or business solar systems to what we are talking about. I agree the cost vst watt just doesn't add up.. On something like a camper though you also have to look at the convience of it. I have a very nice quiet honda 2000Ei generator that will run about 8 hours on a gallon of gas.. When camping for just a few days at a time I found I was running my generator for hours just to recharge the batteries.. Yes my generator is small a quiet and doesn't drink gas.. But using it still required me to haul it, carry extra gas for it.. Pull it out hook it up, secure it, crank it from time to time. And even though its quiet its not silent... My small solar system does the same thing with out the extra hassle or noise.. On top of that while the trailer is parked not in use the onboard batteries stay charged and ready.. Not saying its right for everyone. And the more power you need the less practical solar is. But I really think for smaller trailers who stay off grid here and there it can be very practical...

[Lgboro]

I still plan on buying a Honda genny for the times that I need air conditioning off grid. A couple of nights in the desert I would have loved to have a genny to allow air conditioning when parked in truck stops. I was able to sleep but woke up even more than usual with the heat. At least it was desert heat without the humidity we live with here in coastal NC but still hotter than I would like.

[eamarquardt]

Solar is a last ditch thing. If you are in place for a week at a time in a dry camp, solar is great. Otherwise, there are much better ways to make electricity.

I'm always amazed by the "experts" who offer advise on solar panels and have never owned one.

Bruce

I don't own one because I can add and divide and all that stuff. I research before I buy.

Again, if you don't have a way to make electricity (extended boondocking, topping off batteries on a docked boat, etc), solar does the job. Unfortunately, in most areas it produces such a small amount of electricity that you can get more from your car just hooking up the trailer and running to the convenience store.

We've looked at active solar for our home and camper, and active and passive solar for our business. In the midwest, you can't make it pay.

I don't think you can compare large home or business solar systems to what we are talking about. I agree the cost vst watt just doesn't add up.. On something like a camper though you also have to look at the convience of it. I have a very nice quiet honda 2000Ei generator that will run about 8 hours on a gallon of gas.. When camping for just a few days at a time I found I was running my generator for hours just to recharge the batteries.. Yes my generator is small a quiet and doesn't drink gas.. But using it still required me to haul it, carry extra gas for it.. Pull it out hook it up, secure it, crank it from time to time. And even though its quiet its not silent... My small solar system does the same thing with out the extra hassle or noise.. On top of that while the trailer is parked not in use the onboard batteries stay charged and ready.. Not saying its right for everyone. And the more power you need the less practical solar is. But I really think for smaller trailers who stay off grid here and there it can be very practical...

You get away to get away from noise, light, and other things you experience when in a congested "civilized" area. I can't understand (with the exception of air conditioning at night when it's 90+ temp and 90+ humidity) why one would choose to listen to an generator. I haven't hooked up my 100 watt panels yet (this week perhaps) but I know from sailing that you can get by with very little juice and have all the creature comforts you need. Had I been playing closer attention when I had a boat I would have added solar panels and a Norcold/Engle chest to the boat. I dreaded running the engine for 1/2 hour a day to keep the batteries pumped up and make hot water (water heater off the engine cooling system).

Solar does't make sense unless you are off the grid. The only reason homes and businesses are putting it in (when they have access to the grid) is for PR (green is good) reasons and their systems are paid for, to a large extent, by the tax dollars of others that have been "redistributed" to folks, that in all likelihood, really don't need the subsidy. Just more government spending of OPM (other people's money).

Gus