solar panel set up for extended pop up trips (1 Viewer)

[450 DUDE]

HEY guys; im looking for a clean system to mount on my pop up,
I would prefer the system to invert and charge at the standard 120 v ac
plug on the trailer. the trailer is equiped with a converter to charge the deep cycle, if I can find a reasonable priced system to give me a little more peice of mind on those longer trips ( the little 450 dudeette must watch her mary poppins you see... ) I did a search but im a lame a$$ !

what are you fellas using any recomdations ideas?

I checked out the two systems at the costco.com maybee?


thanx in advance, ken

 

[NorCalDoug]

I was gonna suggest the systems for sale on costco's web site. I looked into solar for a while -- costco had the best price for the models/brands they sell.

 

[Rich]

You really want to get a solar charge controller for battery charging. You would lose significant power converting the solar output up to 120 ac and then back to low voltage dc for battery charging.

 

[Vitesse_6]

Here is a local cruiser friend....
http://equipt1.com/h/component/option,com_virtuemart/page,shop.browse/category_id,25/Itemid,31/
They have all sorts of good stuff, have a look around
Good luck Ken

 

[450 DUDE]

Great info thanx, ya I was concerend in the power loss in the transfer (dc to ac to dc ) . and thanx for the link killer stuff. DOUG you went with generator over the panels im interested on that decision. thanx again h8ers rule!




oh sorrry I posted in the wrong forum, im a crack monkey!


ken

 

[alvarorb]

Ken,

Like others have said, try to keep most of your devices running on 12V. Led lights or fluorescent. Then have an inverter for those things that must run on 120V, like a camera or laptop charger. Things that will be on just for a little while.

Regards

Alvaro

 

[MrMoMo]

Better yet for the laptop just get a dc cord for it. your laptop runs on DC. (May not be 12v, but it is more efficient to drop from 12v down to 7 or so than go dc, ac, dc as stated before.)

 

[450 DUDE]

ya I can operate at about 90% with out ac, but hey ill see what i can do about that peskey 10% . MrMoMo I hear ya on the dc cord for the laptop ,but for some reason I had to buy the laptop that requires a 90$ dc cord .. dammm you mac !!! thanx for all the suggestions


ken

 

[LoveTractor]

http://www.globalsolar.com/
Their military versions don't have voltage regulators. The consumer versions have a regulator sewn into them. I called up before I bought mine to ask about the differences b/w the two versions and the presence or lack of a regulator was the only difference. I have the consumer version Sunlinq SP-12 and love it. They're supposedly coming out with an SP-25 shortly.

 

[alvarorb]

Mr.MoMo,

You are absolutely right. However, a inverter is only a few dollars. If he gets a small inverter (less than 200W), he can charge his laptop or his cell phone and won't kill the battery by doing so.
Yes going with a 12V laptop adapter would be nicer, but sometimes that option is too expensive or not available.
And the batteries are rechargeable by solar energy. Or he could charge the laptop/cell phone while the engine of the cruiser is running.... And use the battery for the appliances that are 12V.


Regards

Alvaro

 

[450 DUDE]

Love Tractor; looks like some premo stuff on that link, big $$$$ ?
thanx guys.

ken

 

[LoveTractor]

I got my Global Solar SunLinq SP-12 from www.affordable-solar.com.
On this page it would "GSE SUNLINQ 12 Watt Portable Solar Panel 1850 $167.00":
https://www.affordable-solar.com/solar.portable.htm
Everything that doesn't say SunLinq is the military version which doesn't have a voltage reguator which they do sell seperately if needed.

I should also mention that those other panels on the above page, the UniSolar models, are out of production=iffy warranty. I was looking at those before actually calling up the company to inquire about them. They're trying to find a new manufacturing facility. Who knows if they ever will. I decided I'd rather go with the actual US military contractors who will most likely be around for a while. Peace of mind.

 

[loeky]

look on ebay. you can find ICP flexible solar panels for a lot cheaper. they come in 5, 10, 15 and 20 watt options. easily rollable. i plan on getting one soon.

 

[desertdude]

Brunton.com




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[rusty_tlc]

Even when using a generator I would recomend a small solar panel to keep the charge up if you store your RV for more than a month or two without use. It worked well for me. Most newer RV's have smoke, CO, and Gas leak detectors that are difficult to disconnect for storage, a small solar panel plugged into one of the 12V outlets solves the problem of battery discharge during storage.

Like NorCal Doug I opted for a small generator rather than solar panels.
My reasons;
Cost, my small generator* charged two 6V deep cycle batteries (connected in series) in less than an hour from 1/4 charge, using maybe 12 Oz. of fuel. And cost less than a decent solar system installed.

Reliability, even with cloud cover or in a shaded campsite I could still charge my system. (Important for us since we did a lot of winter camping.)

Versatility, I used my generator for other applications. It serves as a back-up for my freezer in the event of a long term power outage, runs small power tools at my storage shed, etc. etc.


*I have a Honda EU1000 (1000W max, 900W rated) very reliable, quite and easy to start.

 

[desertdude]

*I have a Honda EU1000 (1000W max, 900W rated) very reliable, quite and easy to start.

ditto - never want to leave home without it

 

[450 DUDE]

Great leads and info, Rusty I was all hot for the EU1000 (nice machine) I can go strong for 4+ days on one deep cycle, just looking for a little more and a little ac power. I dropped the gen idea , it was just 1 more thing to maintenance, ya i know its a honda , still needs maint.
thanx again for all the help.


ken