How does this (solar) actually work? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

richardl · RV-Dreams Community Member

How does this (solar) actually work?

Sushidog · RV-Dreams Family Member

At this time of year, when things are hot out, you are right. A roof mounted solar panel will do you little good if you must park in the shade. Remember though that many desert locations have no shade. Think of a small solar system like you have as a way to help to recharge your battery, requiring less generator running.

There are solar/battery systems that can run an air conditioner for a brief time, and a high-efficiency mini-split heat pump for a longer time. But this kind of system is heavy and costly. I think you have hit upon a solution with detachable panels (which of course would have to be brought in and secured when you are away). Most folks use solar when boondocking outside of organized campgrounds, however this does not negate the need for security when you are away. I just made a post about mounting solar panels to a tow vehicle, and this is another possible solution to your dilemma.

Chip

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

We tend to park in the coastal areas or in cooler months because neither one of us like the heat. We decided to get a generator instead of solar. Mostly because we use a lot of power and we didn't want to have to cutback our lifestyle and rely on batteries charged by solar if it wasn't overcast.

Our 2 Honda 2000i generators will run everything we want to use and they run all day on a little over 2 gallons of gas at full throttle.

The generators also provide the flexibility to use them at our home when the power goes out. Recently the power was out for 36 hours so it was nice to be able to save the food in the frig, have lights, computers and TV while others on the block were dark.

MarkS · RV-Dreams Family Member

Solar works under the lights in a Walmart parking lot too

Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

Indeed.. solar has compromises. We don't depend on our solar full time, we consider it an option that gives us more flexibility in the places we can go. We did spend nearly 3 months off-grid this past winter while boondocking around the desert southwest.. and it was glorious! Being able to setup in gorgeous places with no one else around in beautiful open window weather.. ahhh.. that's bliss to us.

We have ours setup with 800w on the roof of the RV (which is usually enough in good sun and energy conservation), and 600w in flexible panels we can deploy on the ground. Gives us a good bit of flexibility. We have a boosting inverter that can also supplement off our 500AH of lithium batteries, which does give us a little bit of A/C run time if we need it.

We're right now installing a small 2500w generator to use for getting the batteries topped off if we encounter several cloudy days in a row, or need to run an AC for a bit.

But we're also not adverse to finding electrical hook-ups when that is the more practical option (ie. to be in a heavily treed area, or warmer climates).

For us, it's about flexibility and opening up options.

jimindenver · RV-Dreams Family Member

I've used portable panels tracking the sun and this season I am testing the three panels I will be mounting on the ground but flat as they will be mounted. I have to say it's not a bad way to go. It takes minutes to set them out, line them up and plug in the 50 foot lead. I don't tilt or aim them and flat as they are, they are harder to see. Big power, little effort, park in the shade.

Once they are mounted we have a 230 watt portable that can be on the rake of the truck or out on its leash tracking. So far I can't see us needing it. We also have a generator that hasn't been needed in years but we take it on longer trips just in case. Not for A/c mind you, the system runs a small air conditioner. We take the generator to protect the batteries from getting down to far in bad weather. I can't afford to run it day and night for A/C, I'd get hook ups or go home.

Camper Chronicles · RV-Dreams Family Member

richardl wrote:
We have been in some campgrounds that are so heavily wooded, there is no sunny spot. So how does this actually work? Are others much more tolerant of hot campers/trailers, so they just park in the full sun no matter how hot it is?

We have just spent our first two weeks boon docking and even though we have been in shaded sights we are getting some sun. We use our propane generator to supplement and carefully conserve our juice. Thus far it's working out ok but I have not tried it when it's super hot. I make sure I leave enough juice at night to run a cheap box fan all night. This helps with white noise and air flow and is not taking that much juice overnight.

Trace