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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Boondocking, Solar Power, and Related Items -> Help finalizing an Inverter \ PV \ Lithium \ Charge Controller shopping list and stupid questions... 03 Newmar KSDP
Post Info TOPIC: Help finalizing an Inverter \ PV \ Lithium \ Charge Controller shopping list and stupid questions... 03 Newmar KSDP
MichaelB


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Help finalizing an Inverter \ PV \ Lithium \ Charge Controller shopping list and stupid questions... 03 Newmar KSDP
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Hi everyone, total noob here.  I have been researching a lot and have already done some purchasing.  Need help finalizing my shopping list so I can take my stuff to an installer to get everything up and running!  Tons of stupid questions, please be gentle.  lol

Ok, I recently purchased a 2003 Newmar Kountry Star Diesel Pusher and am outfitting it for energy independence.  Honestly, I haven't done an energy audit... I have a desktop computer that runs at most 425 watts with monitor that I'll want to use for a couple hours a day, a 40' tv for several hours a night, a laptop and normal stuff like a phone that needs charging, and planned intermittent use of the microwave and my Vitamix blender.  I figure 400ah and 640w of solar should be sufficient for my needs... and I want a solar charge controller with a little room to expand a couple more panels which may be necessary.  I admit I'll probably be too lazy to tilt my panels, also don't want them easily stolen either, so if 640w of panels isn't sufficient flat mounted, I'll add a couple more panels.  No, I am not planning on using A\C on solar + battery. 


Here's what I already have:

Magnum Hybrid 3000w Inverter w/advanced control panel
4 Grape Solar 160w panels and flat mount hardware.    

I'm about to purchase a 400ah lithium bank from Elite Power.
I'm leaning towards either the 80a Outback or 100a Magnum.  Any other options I should consider?

With the Elite lithium batteries, do I need an additional Lithum charger?  I'm aware that I'll be buying the Elite lithium battery that comes with all the balancers.  Do I need their battery management setup, or will the solar charge controller be capable of doing this itself?  FWIW, I don't expect to be using the inverter charger much, if at all. 


What other components should I buy or need.  I'm expecting an installer to have any wiring and battery terminal stuff... are there any specific components I should pick out... like junction boxes, fuses, shutoffs or anything? 

Any specific installers on the west coast that I should consider or avoid? 

I'm really worried about finding a competent installer for the hybrid inverter and battery.  Is that an easy job I can trust to a local RV shop or should I be willing to travel to AM or some other well-regarded experienced solar installer?  I'm afraid I'm overthinking this a bit too much, but I have no clue and there isn't a whole lot of information actually out there.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.  And I apologize for my disjointed post and my ignorance, I've been researching everything for at least a month and still don't have a complete idea of what I need to get to have everything prepared for an installer.  Regards, Mike.



-- Edited by MichaelB on Tuesday 21st of June 2016 04:52:43 AM



-- Edited by MichaelB on Tuesday 21st of June 2016 07:31:50 AM

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carolinakids


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I sent you a personal message read it Mike.

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Rush and Lola Songer

2015 F-350 DRW (Alias Fat Baby)

2017 Vanleigh Vilano 325 RL  (Alias Sunshine)

Solar Equipped 

Full Timers July 2016 
bjoyce


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Check http://wheelingit.us/category/solar-power-2/ for an installer and lots of information.



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Bill Joyce,
40' 2004 Dutch Star DP towing an AWD 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
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Full-timing since July 2003
MichaelB


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Thanks, I actually read that page earlier.

Any idea of what I should expect to pay to have my inverter installed?



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