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.
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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.
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
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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
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.
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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.....