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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> RV Maintenance and Technical Tips -> Solar
Post Info TOPIC: Solar
bubbadan


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I am wanting to add a solar battery charger to my TT. I would like to keep the battery at full charge while in storage, ther are no electical outlets near the TT. The TT uses a single battery deep cycle type. I would like to leave the battery hooked up and hot to the TT. I hope I made my self clear about what I am trying to do.
What size solar charger do I need?

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Bubbadan

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Luvglass


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You want to contact an RV solar company and they will tell you exactly what you need for a panel size and controller.

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Fred Wishnie

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dewwood


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I agree with Fred, contact some solar suppliers.  Here is one that has been in business for a while:  http://www.amsolar.com/

They (and others) make a portable unit that folds up like a suitcase for transport.  It looks like a viable option if not interested in placing permanant structures on your roof.  It has everything needed to charge batteries or can be hooked into a more permanant power management system.


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bjoyce


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Jack Mayer's info at http://www.jackdanmayer.com/rv_electrical_and_solar.htm might be overkill for this application, but it should get you started.

A bit more info:
The cheap controllers do not do a good job of keeping batteries well charged since they do not provide enough voltage or multi-stage charging. Something like this controller, http://www.morningstarcorp.com/en/sunsavermppt would work well and have some expansion but might be out of your price range since the best price I found was about $200 here - http://www.nationalsolarsupply.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=936&HS=1. If you just want to go cheap than this one and a 45 to 75-watt panel would probably be adequate - http://www.discountpv.com/charge_controllers/sg4-12v.htm and it is $29.

You also might be about the only person I know that the Harbor Freight 45-watt system, http://www.harborfreight.com/45-watt-solar-panel-kit-90599.html, at $230 + tax, might be enough. Don't expect to expand it.

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bubbadan


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Thanks guys I will look into these.
Dan

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Bubbadan

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LarryW21


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A full fledged solar kit installed on your roof would keep your batteries charged in storage as well as when your unit is in use. 200 watts is plenty for one battery.



-- Edited by LarryW21 on Tuesday 27th of December 2016 08:14:19 PM



-- Edited by LarryW21 on Tuesday 27th of December 2016 08:23:00 PM

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