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!!
We like the idea of boondocking for moderate stretches and thus we are looking into a future install of solar equipment. My guess is that a 600-800 watt system with 4 panels, 4 AGM batteries and all recommended electronics and hardware will add about 600 lbs to the rig net net after removal of any not required OEM gear. Do I have that figured about right? The reason for asking is to determine if a suspension upgrade might be necessary.
Luckily panels, batteries and even charge controllers should list their weight so you should be able to get pretty close even before you order anything. I can tell you that with a 220w, 230w and 245w panels that each weighs between 45 and 50 pounds. My grp 27 weighs 65 pounds I believe and the 8-D is a whopping 160 pounds for 250 ah. ( I hate moving that thing, it kills my shoulders)
The other thing that weighs a lot is the generator we have to keep as a back up and for the rare case we need AC. The new one weighs 126 pounds and that's not counting the gas can.
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2011 Amerilite 25bh pushing a 03 Expedition up the hills. 750w of solar, 675 Ah battery bank, 1250fc inverter, Champion 3500/4000
I agree you are certainly in the ballpark. Solar panels should be about 25 - 30 pounds each. AGM batteries will be 80 - 90 pounds each. Then you have inverter weight and cabling weight. Six hundred pounds should do it, but it never hurts to be conservative.
X3 on the weight estimate. 4 AGM 6 volt 300AH batteries weight 360lbs. Keep in mind the weight of the individual batteries you select. The 300AH 6 volt AGM Lifeline batteries are about as heavy as a "normal" man can handle in a cramped space. Just suggesting that you look at these weights before making a selection. IMO, the 300AH 6 Volt Lifeline's are about the sweet spot as to capacity vs. individual weights that one can handle.
Consider, if possible, putting the battery bank on the side of the rig that has the least weight on it. Might help a bit with the weight distribution. On a 5er the light side is almost always the passenger side. A pretty simple idea but sometimes we forget.
Great tip Bill. Always looking for the things/practices that get overlooked. Also, definitely want to keep the individual battery weight to a manageable size.
