solar panals

[Erbjorum]

I'm going to add solar panals to my Sixpack camper. I'm tired of the battery problems. And it seems like an affordable option. I'd love to run my fridge and electronics recharging on it.
What are your opinions about attached vs portable solar panals.
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Brand, type, size.....

[Teddy Lancaster]

I have 4x100 watt panels on my trailer since 2006. 25 year warranty. LOVE THEM!  I got them from this company: http://www.amsolar.com/  (They have even better ones now)
The key is to have enough battery storage (and and inverter as well as good batteries.) Except in the winter, I rarely need to turn on my generator.  Not cheap and you need to get the best batteries and an installer who knows how to install them correctly. This company is excellent and can find an installer for you (forget Camping World!)  BTW, I also recommend the Lifeline AGM Batteries.  I have 6x6 volt in series (and 2x12volt in my truck!) and a Magnum 2000 Watt Pure sine wave inverter.. Pricey, but worth it, they will outlast your expectations.

--

Teddy Lancaster
RUNNING BEAR
3404 Carl Allred Rd.
Franklinville, NC 27248
800-533-2327

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[Erbjorum]

Thanks for the link....this looks perfect.   First thing in the morning, I'm going to the link for solar panel education....Thanks again.

[Teddy Lancaster]

Suggestion: Buy the batteries locally (hard to find - Batteries Plus sometimes has them) or online. You can find online dealers who have them shipped to you from a local distributor or warehouse. They are heavy and expensive to ship. Be SURE to get one of their recommended installers.  They are not a lot of them, but they can tell you who is closest.  This is a BIG investment, but I am sure you will love the system.  I have had my system since 2006. I replaced all of my batteries a few months ago. I have them on my truck as well. Almost idiot proof and zero maintenance! Be sure to get the battery monitor:


My Solar Panels have a 25 year warranty. Love them, but the newer ones are probably even better.

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[Erbjorum]

Wow Teddy, I can't wait to check this out.  Thanks!

[karen standefer]

I don't know what brand I have, but I've had solar, trickle charged  batteries on my LQ trailer for 13 years.  I LOVE them.  But, I don't believe you can power your fridge using batteries.  I think you need to be plugged in for electricity or running on propane.  Same thing for air conditioning or microwave. 

The solar panels only charge the batteries.  So, it may not solve your issues if you're having some sort of battery related electrical problems.  You'll still need the batteries.

Karen

On Thursday, November 20, 2014 4:40:04 PM UTC-8, Erbjorum wrote:

I'm going to add solar panals to my Sixpack camper.  I'm tired of the battery problems. And it seems like an affordable option.  I'd love to run my fridge and electronics recharging on it.
What are your opinions about attached vs portable solar panals.  
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Brand, type, size.....

[Teddy Lancaster]

Depends on how much power you get from the solar panels and what your battery capacity is.

[Bobbie Brown]

Teddy...I read you suggestion...and I'm going to look into solar panels too!

Bobbie Brown

[Teddy Lancaster]

Be prepared...it is not cheap to do so.  But, done correctly and maintained correctly, they are an awesome alternative.  My current solar panels were bought in 2006, they have a 25 year warranty.  Try $1000 each!  There are better and less expensive ones now thanks to technology.  But the secret is in the batteries.  I just replaced my 6x6volt Lifeline AGM Batteries this year (due to a fire in my trailer.) They still had good years in them.  Just like anything else they require maintenance (limited) and monitoring, but not nearly as much as regular batteries. There are no "perfect" systems, but, IMO, these work very well. And, they can be moved to another vehicle or even your house.  I am no expert, I hired experts to install them. There are likely some ridecampers who can give you more details.

I will say that I use my generator as well. Obviously cloudy days do not give you as much power as sunny ones. Keeping the batteries charged (and having a monitor for them) is critical.  The batteries stay quite well charged by monitoring them. The worst thing you can do to batteries is to allow them to discharged too often or too deeply.

Again, I am not expert and consider myself "electrically challenged", but I have learned over the years to pay attention.  I also "plug in" when I can. I think I have done a decent job of keeping my system working as long and optimally as possible.

AM Solar is a top notch company and can steer you to good installers as well as provide an excellent product.