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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Boondocking, Solar Power, and Related Items -> 100 Watt Solar Panel Kit
Post Info TOPIC: 100 Watt Solar Panel Kit
rvSolarNewbie


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100 Watt Solar Panel Kit
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Hi,

I am new to this forum and I would like to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Rick and I currently live in Idaho.

I am thinking of adding a solar panel to my RV so that I can run some smalle equipment while parked at the lake for the weekend. The kit I am thinking of purchasing is the following:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/COMPLETE-KIT-100-W-Watt-100W-100Watts-Photovoltaic-PV-Solar-Panel-12V-RV-Boat-/400320440364?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d34f5282c#ht_2892wt_1124

and appears to be a bit cheaper on their website:

http://www.windynation.com/products/solar/solar-panels/100-watt-solar-panel-complete-kit-rvs-boats-and-grid

My questions are as follows:

1. They claim that the solar panel will produce about 300 Watt Hours of power per day if it is sunny. I plan to charge a 12 volt battery with the solar panel. Am I correct in assumng that if I run three 12 volt light bulbs (each light bulb draws 2.2 amps) off the 12 volt battery for about 3 hours at night, that I will be using about 240 Watt Hours? This is how I am doing my math:

12 volts x 2.2 amps = 26.4 Watts for one light bulb

26.4 Watts x three light bulbs = about 80 Watts for three light bulbs

Therefore, to run three of these light bulbs for one hour I would use 80 Watt Hours off my battery.

And to run three of these light bulbs for 3 hours I would use 240 Watt Hours off my battery. (Most of the time I will only be using the lights for 1-2 hours per night)

Is my math correct? Are my assumptions correct? Thanks for anybody who can help me! $255 is a lot of money to me so I want to make sure I am buying something that is going to give me the power I need. Thanks again.



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GENECOP


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Welcome to the forum, Google Jack Mayer Solar, he is a member on this forum and has a very informative Blog/Website that covers solar in depth.......

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bjoyce


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Your math is correct. But I am sure their solar controller is junk, especially since a good one should get 500 Watt Hours (5 hours) on a sunny day. As GeneCop says, look at Jack Mayer's website. For what you want I would go with AMSolar's 100 Watt kit, http://www.amsolar.com/home/amr/page_220_63/bare_bones_10010.html , but you need to add some pieces to make the $249.95 kit complete, like wiring, fuses and mounts to get you to $350 or more.  This sounds too expensive to you, so maybe a generator and some gas might be better.



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Bill Joyce,
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Lucky Mike


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If it is just a weekend thing.....your batteries should be able to carry for 2 days easy if you are boondocking/ if they are not I would check age and condition....also run 2 if you are not already.

also for the money, I agree with bill....I would pickup a small generator/inverter 3000 watt.. you should be able to your charge your batteries , cook with micro....pm entertainment...even run a small a/c when needed....for around the same money and get more out of it!!

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Terry and Jo


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I guess I'm going to have to look into that one.  I wasn't aware of any inverter generators that were that inexpensive.  I know that our Honda EU3000IS was a LOT more than $350 or so.  In fact, I'm thinking ours was around $2000 give or take a few hundred dollars.  It's been too long since we bought ours, but the new Honda 3000 watt generators are around $2500.

When looking at generators, you might consider the smaller Honda generators (2000 watt and 1000 watt) and possibly the Yamahas as well.  Some of those have built in battery chargers which would let your generator have two uses: emergency generator and battery charger.  Then, if your RV'ing expanded to a larger unit, an additional Honda of the same size could be purchased and the two hooked together via a parallel kit and you would double your watts and amps.

It would be more expensive for the Hondas and Yamahas, but it would be more flexible as it could also be used in one's home.

Terry



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Lucky Mike


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I was thinking more on the lines of a Home depot type small generac inverter type or an import.......they are only for recreational use not full timing

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 1998 ...Harney Renegade DP  class A

rers1@mail.com

 

My Service dog and life partner " Nikki"......Klee Kia Miniature Husky....(she Runs the ship!!)

We are not lost in the Woods.....Just Extreme boondocking!!!!!!
bjoyce


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The other "generator" many have is their engine alternator. Yes, extended idling is not good for your truck or RV engine, but it works and "is a bird in hand".

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Bill Joyce,
40' 2004 Dutch Star DP towing an AWD 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
Journal at http://www.sacnoth.com
Full-timing since July 2003
Alie and Jims Carrilite


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We have a chinese clone 3000 watt inverter style that we are the 2nd owner of. It died on the original owner with no support to repair it and they gave it to me. With a tear down and rebuild, (chinese style- get all the shavings out of the engine, replace rings and bearings) it runs decent. I believe the original owner paid around $450 shipped for it and it did run for him for several days.


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