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05-27-2012, 02:27 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Name: Jason
Trailer: 2007 Eggcamper & Homemade Tear Drop
New York
Posts: 663
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Solar ????
I do a lot of boon docking and camping in state forests in the shade. Is it worth my time installing a solar panel on my roof? Will it still make some electricity in the shade? and if so how big a panel should I get?
Thanks!
Jason
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05-27-2012, 02:42 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Trailer: Scamp
Posts: 7,056
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The big question is how many days at a time. I can go about 4 days without recharging my battery. Therefore I usually drag out my solar panel my solar panel on the 3rd or 4th day. The last trip it was cloudy and shady and it still brought the battery back to full charge by the end of the day.
I've replaced all incandescent lights with LEDs and the only other power usage is for the fan on the furnace. As a result my power requirements are very small.
The battery is a 74 amp deep cycle.
Solar panel 65 Watt with a home built frame so that I can move it around to get the best sunlight.
Charge controller is a 6 amp. That's all that's needed because of the way I have it wired. The solar only has a maximum 4 amp output.
We were out for over 90 days twice in last two years. Total time with electricity was about 9 days out of over 180 days. Most time in one spot was a bit over 3 weeks.
The reason I asked about camping days at one time, is if almost all of your camping is 2 to 3 days at time solar could be a waste of time and money for you. Where we're on the road for months at a time it makes sense and is cheaper, quieter, and less messy than a generator.
__________________
Byron & Anne enjoying the everyday Saturday thing.
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05-27-2012, 04:14 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Name: Jason
Trailer: 2007 Eggcamper & Homemade Tear Drop
New York
Posts: 663
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Some trips I am only out 3 to 4 days and I have found my battery does last that long but it gets drawn down very low and I am worried about ruining it. In the summer when I use it for work and am gone for 3 to 4 weeks at a time. I'm usually alone then and watch a lot of TV, use my laptop, charge my cell phone, and run the fan all night. I did change all of the lights except the florescent over the sink to led's. I do want to mount it on the roof so I don't have to worry about it growing legs and walking away while I am at work!
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05-27-2012, 08:05 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Trailer: 92 16 ft Scamp
Posts: 11,756
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Jason I also camp in the shade a lot so I didnt mount mine - I have a case I store it in and I built a stand out of PVC that pulls apart for storage. I can get by as Byron suggests for a few days without power providing I dont use my furnace. How big a panel depends a lot of how much power you are using - if your running your fridge on propane have LED lights inside and dont run a microwave, tv or AC you dont need a very big panel. Go a search here using google for best results as this topic has come up a number of times.
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05-28-2012, 05:54 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Trailer: Eggcamper 17 ft Electric
Posts: 409
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Jason,
The short answer is Yes, a solar panel will provide some charging capacity without direct sunlight, but not much. The best approach is to reduce consumption. LED lighting helps a lot. You need to do an inventory of your power consumers and estimate you daily use, then you'll be able to determine the size of the panel(s). If you camp in the shade, you're probably better off using a free-standing panel, as Carol does. Keep the trailer in the shade and place your solar array into a sunny spot.
Check out the link on the left side of the Forum ( http://www.fiberglassrv.com/solar.html ). It has info about how to size your system.
Ron
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05-28-2012, 07:03 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Name: Jason
Trailer: 2007 Eggcamper & Homemade Tear Drop
New York
Posts: 663
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Thanks guys! I cant leave the panel set out on a stand while I am out working in some of the places I camp I just know it would not be there when I returned.
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05-28-2012, 08:06 AM
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#7
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Junior Member
Trailer: Casita 17 ft Freedom Deluxe 1998
Posts: 23
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Instead of an "either or" installation, you could do both. On my previous trailer (a Casita), I had a panel on the roof and also had a movable panel that I could plug in to my solar system when I was in a "secure" camping location. The rooftop also had the benefit of keeping my battery charged between trips.
On my new trailer (an Escape 19), I am installing 2 roof panels, and a duel battery system for more storage capacity for shady campsites.
Bret
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05-28-2012, 08:12 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Name: Al
Trailer: 1982 13 foot Scamp
Wisconsin
Posts: 123
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I have two group 27 deep cycles in parallel.Still 12 volts,but extra amp hours.I currently maintain them with a single 15 watt panel (free standing),and am upgrading to a bank of three 18 watters for 55 watts total.
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05-28-2012, 08:18 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Name: Jason
Trailer: 2007 Eggcamper & Homemade Tear Drop
New York
Posts: 663
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Thanks guys for all the help! How well will all this work in the shade? That is my biggest concern. I don't want to spend a lot of $$$$ just to find it is not doing the job I need it to. It might get hit buy the sun once and a while during the day but not for long.
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05-28-2012, 09:18 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Trailer: Trillium 2010
Posts: 5,185
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You will always get some current. With my 42 watt panel in full sun I get about 3 amps. A passing cloud will drop that in half. On a a heavy overcast day I am down to about 1/2 an amp. Overcast and in the shade maybe, 100-200 mA. All this assumes the panel is pointing in the right direction although on the overcast days up is as good as anywhere. Raz
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05-28-2012, 09:44 AM
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#11
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Commercial Member
Name: Rob
Trailer: Casita
Kansas
Posts: 81
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May not be worth your effort if you are surrounded by shade.A portable unit may be a more effective gatherer of energy if you can move it to avoid the shade.
CEA Solar/RVsolarnow.com in Surprise, Arizona markets some high quality portable systems. They currently come in 90W and 130W and can be linked together for additional capacity. The units fold and store in aluminum cases. The solar cells are manufactured in Germany.
Jim Mannett (CEO and founder) and his staff are very knowledgeable about solar products. I have used a 120W system for my Casita travel trailer for boondocking adventures for several years now and I have been quite pleased with its performance and the customer support from the company. I recently stopped by their store for a replacement handle for my storage case which I had clearly abused. I had a replacement in two days and they refused to charge me for it.
For security purposes, I attach a hardened cable to the system and the frame of my trailer. I use an alarmed lock on the cable that sounds if the system is moved.
Jim has a number of helpful published articles at the attached link.
Portable Solar Panels : RV Solar Battery Charger : RV Solar Power : RV Solar Panel Kits : RVSolarNow.com
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05-28-2012, 10:13 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Trailer: 92 16 ft Scamp
Posts: 11,756
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kirkman
Thanks guys! I cant leave the panel set out on a stand while I am out working in some of the places I camp I just know it would not be there when I returned.
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Thats a bit of a problem and one I debate when mine is out in the open on a stand & I am not going to be at the site all day. In those situations I put the panel up on the roof and hope it gets enough sun to do some charging - in most sites when its up on the roof you cant even see it - if the camp site is located such that the panel is visible I put it up on the side where by awning is its not so visible.
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05-28-2012, 10:16 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Trailer: 92 16 ft Scamp
Posts: 11,756
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Quote:
Originally Posted by baron100
For security purposes, I attach a hardened cable to the system and the frame of my trailer. I use an alarmed lock on the cable that sounds if the system is moved.]
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Jim do you have a photo of your locking system or a link to the lock. It sounds like something I could use.
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05-28-2012, 12:56 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Name: Jason
Trailer: 2007 Eggcamper & Homemade Tear Drop
New York
Posts: 663
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Thanks so much guys! I am getting smarter buy the minute.
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05-28-2012, 01:22 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Name: Dylan
Trailer: 2001 Scamp 13'
British Columbia
Posts: 798
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I'm probably going to go the "both" route. But I'm starting on the roof and seeing what that gives me. I know I don't want to deal with setup up and bringing in a panels EVERY time I want to be getting any charge at all. So I know I want at least some fixed to the trailer panels. But I love my computers, movies and gadgets so I know I'll use all the power I can make. So, I may add a high effeciency traditional panel or two or more flexible panels if I find they work well in a movable rack/stand. The glass and metal enclosed panels are just SO heavy per watt. The Sunflex are around 10 watts per pound, metal/glass enclosed panels are 5 watts per pound or less. The metal/glass panels have a much higher life expectancy, 20 years rather than a predicted, but unproven 5 to 10 years for the flexible panels.
These panels were recommended by another member here. From looking around I'm not seeing a better solution for me.
Sunflex Solar and Alternative/Renewable Energy - About us
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05-28-2012, 01:24 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Name: Dylan
Trailer: 2001 Scamp 13'
British Columbia
Posts: 798
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Carol H
Jim do you have a photo of your locking system or a link to the lock. It sounds like something I could use.
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+1, a big hesitation for loose panels to me is theft/worry. Solutions for locking up and keeping in place during high winds are most welcome.
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05-28-2012, 03:54 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Name: Mike
Trailer: 2012 Escape 19
Oklahoma
Posts: 6,021
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As the saying goes, I know just enough about solar to be dangerous. So someone correct whatever mistakes I make here, ok?
I've read that most solar panels are dramatically affected by even small shadows that fall on them, because the cells are connected in series and if the current flow is slowed in just one small area it slows the flow in the whole panel.
But if you will be in a situation where shadows often may be produced (from nearby vent covers or antennas, or from trees or whatnot), there's a type of panel that is not as greatly affected. And although it's less efficient for its size, I think it has an advantage when the sun is at an angle or when there's some overcast or shadows. It does not lose as much production under adverse lighting conditions. I'm thinking this is the "amorphous" panel, if I remember correctly. I think Uni-Solar is one maker of these, and they are flexible panels with adhesive so they can stick right onto the roof without making any mounting holes. But they are big... a 68W panel is 112" long x 15.5" wide.... so they won't fit on every roof.
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05-28-2012, 04:15 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Trailer: 92 16 ft Scamp
Posts: 11,756
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another factor that will have a big factor on how well your panels work or dont work is the angle that you have placed them at.
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05-28-2012, 04:20 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Name: Dylan
Trailer: 2001 Scamp 13'
British Columbia
Posts: 798
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Yep, I believe a panel will be limited by the least illuminated cell on the panel. Amorphous panels are better with that, how much better I'm not sure. I think they are better with less direct light as well. But overall so much less efficient I'm not sure it's worth it to me. I'm planning on at least 3 main panels in parallel, maybe with a few more smaller, long panels along the sides of the roof. So I hope the shadowing from the vents as such will be minimized, should be during the best hours of the day I'd think when the sun is high.
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05-28-2012, 04:35 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Name: Mike
Trailer: 2012 Escape 19
Oklahoma
Posts: 6,021
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