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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Boondocking, Solar Power, and Related Items -> solar panel use with shore power
Post Info TOPIC: solar panel use with shore power
plabsort


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solar panel use with shore power
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I am new to the forum. There are quite a few campgrounds that have metered electricity for their monthly sites . Is there any way to cut down the amount of shore power used (through the use of solar panels) and still  remain plugged in? It is my impression that all power would be routed through shore power even if the inverter is on.

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NorCal Dan


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The only way to save on your electric bill is to turn off the power at the breaker and run off your batteries. If you have solar and manage your power usage you may be able to get buy using no electricity.

There are still plenty of CG's that do not meter electric. I wish there was a CG directory that showed them so I could patronize them with my busine$$. I hate metered electric with a passion...


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bjoyce


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You can turn off the charger part on most inverter/chargers and use solar to keep the batteries charged while still using shore power to run everything else. Each solar panel will provide about 1/2 a kilowatt hour per day of power in full sun, not a lot of power for even four panels.

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Adam and Karen


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I am trying to design my solar system to be completely off grid and separate from the travel trailer's shore power system. I am planning to mount a 15 amp recepticle on the outside of my camper and then deside if I want to plug the power cord into the shore power system or into the camper's battery system.

Since it will be a completely separate system, I will have the option of which system I want to use. For example, if it's going to be a beautiful 75 degree afternoon, I might decide it will be more efficient to use the battery and the free charge I'm getting from the sun. If, however, it's a 90 degree day and I'm planning on being inside, writing on an exciting novel, I'll probably plug into shore power and run the A/C.

This system won't be seamless, it will require a decision on my part, and, worst of all, require me to reset the clock on the microwave. But it should be a fairly common sense decision to make. As a result, when I'm hooked to metered electricity, I can run the power off of solar as much as possible. But, if I'm on non-metered electric, I can runn off shore power all day long; all I have to do is move a power plug.

I haven't checked to see if someone makes a switch to allow me to plug the camper into the switch and one side of the switch into shore power and the other side into the inverter recepticle. If there is such a switch, it would make my system even more convienent.

Good luck with your solar.

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Adam and Karen Lawler Author: "Barely Retired"...a risque mystery novel. 2004 Dutchmen 30RL Travel Trailer 2011 Chevy 2500HD 6.0 liter gas
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