Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 10-23-2020, 07:59 AM   #1
Winnebago Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 887
Solar Panel Articles

As a lifelong boater who cruised full time for a couple of years (analogous to full time RVing) I installed solar panels on a couple of my and friend's boats. So a few years ago I wrote a series of articles on installing a small system, sizing a big system and installing a big system.

These are available on a sister publication https://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/. Look at the upper right of the opening page and click on Library and then go to the Systems section. Scroll down and you will find these three articles and a few written by others.

You have to do a bit of translating of terms to the RV world, but they are easy and correlate almost identically. For example when I say DC panel in the boating world, it means DC converter fuse panel in the RV world. When I say hang out at anchor in the boating world, it means dry camping in the RV world.

These articles cover installations as small as 100 watts up to a thousand or more.

There have been a couple of changes due to the market in the last few years that make things easier and cheaper. Amazon now offers large 200 watt panels in both 12V and 24V nominal specs with free Prime shipping. Previously only 100 watt panels were offered and could be shipped reasonably.

The other change is the availability of reasonable cost MPPT controllers that make it unnecessary to use PWM ones. Renogy makes decent ones and Victron makes nice ones. Prices have dropped almost in half since writing these articles.

Avoid the no name brands. I have almost always regretted buying no name Chinese junk. The same generally can't be said about solar panels. Unless you are squeezing the maximum wattage in available space and need the high efficiency of the Perc panels, almost any 100-200 watt panel is as good as anyone else's.

Enjoy!!!

David
DavidM is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2020, 09:19 AM   #2
Winnebago Owner
 
Topsail's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 229
Thanks David, I bookmarked this for further study. I didn't know if I should put it into my boat library or Motorhome. I chose Motorhome. Haha.
__________________
2008 Voyage 35L, Allison 6 speed auto and GM Workhorse 8.1 gas
Topsail is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2020, 12:30 PM   #3
Winnebago Master
 
powercat_ras's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Manhattan, Kansas USA
Posts: 1,315
If you have space for a large solar panel, Mission Solar 320 watt high (19.2 %) efficency mono-crystalline residential solar panels with PERC technology can be had for 52 cents per watt. The Power Store. You have to call and purchase thru their sales dept to get that price, the web site price shown is 60 cents per watt. Unfortunately they can't ship UPS or Fedex Ground, they are too big, 5' 6" x 3' 8". However with Amazon solar module prices running in the $ 1 per watt range (with free shipping, though), if you need more than a few you can still come out better after paying the freight. Or if you are in driving distance of the Dallas metro, you can pick them up.

The MPPT maximum 320 watt output power points are 34 volts and 9.4 amps.
__________________
Randy - Manhattan, Kansas
2015 Vista 27N
2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
powercat_ras is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2020, 12:36 PM   #4
Winnebago Master
 
powercat_ras's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Manhattan, Kansas USA
Posts: 1,315
Here's one of the Mission Solar 320 Watt Panels installed on a Winnebago View...

Photo was taken before the lap sealant was applied over the fasteners.

Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	34BE4915-B8EF-49AA-8BC3-B146BA971718.jpg
Views:	638
Size:	246.6 KB
ID:	175441  
__________________
Randy - Manhattan, Kansas
2015 Vista 27N
2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
powercat_ras is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2020, 04:23 PM   #5
Winnie-Wise
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Rochester, MN
Posts: 434
Awesome! Since I got my TT I've been telling people I don't think I'll bother getting into solar, but then I got my LiFePO4 batteries and, well, game changer! I'll be reading your articles.

Looks like I need to create an account over there. Easy enough
__________________
Todd
2019 Micro Minnie 2108DS with upgrades and mods here
2020 Toyota Land Cruiser, RedArc TowPro-Elite, Andersen 3380 WDH
tinglett is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2020, 06:10 PM   #6
Winnebago Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 887
I just checked and discovered that you can access the Library on Trawler Forum, select the Misc section and select an article, all without registering. But when you hit Download, it fails if you aren't registered. Bummer.

But it is easy to register as it is a sister website, all managed by the same organization.

I wish this forum had a similar Library.

David
DavidM is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2020, 06:38 PM   #7
Winnebago Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 887
Given the inconvenience of having to register on TF to see these articles, I am attaching them here:

Solar Panels for your Boat- Basic installation of 1 or 2 100 watt panels

Sizing a Solar Panel System- How to juggle solar panel wattage, battery amp hour rating and generator charging to pick the right solar panel size

Installing a Large Solar Panel System- Installation of multiple large panels

David
Attached Files
File Type: pdf Solar panels for your boat.pdf (124.2 KB, 64 views)
File Type: pdf Sizing a solar panel system.pdf (215.8 KB, 59 views)
File Type: pdf Installing a large solar panel system.pdf (204.6 KB, 60 views)
DavidM is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-28-2020, 05:30 PM   #8
Winnebago Owner
 
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Mesa Az
Posts: 80
If I get a solar panel Suite case with the charging module that has cable with alligator clamps can I just connect it to the house battery post or do they have to be connected to my freedom invert/ charger. If I connect direct to battery do I have to disconnect the inverter charger somehow.
Kbwitt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-28-2020, 06:03 PM   #9
Winnebago Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 887
No you just clip on to your battery terminals. But if there is no fuse in the positive cable, you need one within a foot or so of the battery. It needs to be sized to pass the full DC output of your solar panels but be small enough to be below the wire's current carrying capacity.

Post the wire size and your solar panel's wattage and we can advise the proper fuse size.

David
DavidM is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-30-2020, 09:47 AM   #10
Winnebago Master
 
AJMike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Apache Junction, AZ
Posts: 1,244
Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidM View Post
The other change is the availability of reasonable cost MPPT controllers that make it unnecessary to use PWM ones. Renogy makes decent ones and Victron makes nice ones. Prices have dropped almost in half since writing these articles.
Perhaps you can explain the difference between MPPT and PWM solar controllers. I don't understand why I would want to replace the one that came with the Winnie Fuse that we have (Zamp 30 amp), but I assume there is a perfectly good reason to do so. It might help me understand what is the next step to take in our battery-solar panel setup.
__________________
2020 Regency Ultra Brougham, IB model
2022 Jeep Wrangler Sport S toad
Roadmaster baseplate and tow bar
AJMike is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
panel, solar, solar panel


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
solar panel Jack_Va Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 11 04-27-2008 01:02 PM
Solar panel feeds Chassis or Coach? Paul T Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 9 10-29-2007 10:17 AM
Solar Panel Help -- Fixed!! FrankO Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 9 08-21-2007 02:47 PM
Solar panel Craig H Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 16 01-19-2007 02:40 AM
12v House Battery Problem ---Solar Panel??? Belgique Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 6 11-06-2006 07:52 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Winnebago Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:45 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.