Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.


We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: How many watts should I set-up


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 116
Date:
How many watts should I set-up


We have a 2012 Journey with the residential fridge, 6 AGM coach batteries, and a 2500watt inverter. To boondock for any period of time (2+ weeks) what size panel set up am I looking at, realizing that microwave, A/C, and any high watt usage will not be used.



__________________

2012 Winnebago "Journey To Insanity" 40U

2008 Dakota 4x4

2004 Subaru Baja -DW's

2005 Honda Shadow Aero - TOAD for now.



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 3722
Date:

I am sure your motorhome has a generator. Since the Journey is a DP, I am 99% sure it is a diesel generator of at least 7.5KW, so it can run your A/C and everything else. If so, it will use about 1/2 gallon of diesel per hour or about $2 an hour. How much do you plan on using it? The generator should be run every once in a while, under load for 2 hours, to keep it working right. Monthly is best for exercising your generator, but with a diesel you can stretch it to 6 months. Why I ask is since you have a generator, you have flexibility and can start with less solar, which means less money.

Edit: We have friends with a similar motorhome and 1200 watts of solar.  They have an RV fridge, so they have 60 to 100 amp-hours more battery margin than you.  They can go without running their generator indefinitely.  But when it gets hot, they run the generator and air conditioning.



-- Edited by bjoyce on Wednesday 11th of September 2013 06:35:15 PM

__________________

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



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 1107
Date:

Only you can answer that. You HAVE to do an energy audit. You do not have to actually measure what you use boondocking, but you do have to estimate it. Then you can seek advice about how many panels would be appropriate. You might refer to my website....link in my signature.

__________________

Jack & Danielle Mayer
PLEASE USE EMAIL TO COMMUNICATE

http://www.jackdanmayer.com,
2009 Volvo 780 HDT, 2015 New Horizons 45'Custom 5th, smart car
New Horizons Ambassadors - Let us help you build your dream RV.....



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 104
Date:

What size batteries? AGM is just a type and come in all different sizes from group 27 through 8D.

__________________

Forest & Cindy Olivier
2011 Tahoe 4x4
2013 RZR 570LE

Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.

Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us