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WinkenBlinkenAndPod
Newbie
Joined: 28 Apr 2017
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Posts: 6
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Topic: solar panel Posted: 03 May 2017 at 12:37pm |
My wife and I are new owners of a 2016 179 r-pod and are interested in finding out if we can use a Coleman 40 watt solar panel to connect via the solar panel input on our trailer. The warning sticker by this connection indicates that only a zamp panel is to be used. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.
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CharlieM
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
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Posts: 1797
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Posted: 03 May 2017 at 12:49pm |
Short answer is yes. Any reasonably sized panel/controller combination can be connected to that port. The sticker is marketing.
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Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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WinkenBlinkenAndPod
Newbie
Joined: 28 Apr 2017
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Posts: 6
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Posted: 03 May 2017 at 2:31pm |
Thanks for your very prompt reply. We are heading out for a shot trip and are looking forward to trying everything out.
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rawest50
Senior Member
Joined: 07 Mar 2017
Location: Arkansas
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Posts: 440
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Posted: 03 May 2017 at 2:51pm |
New here also. I am not sure I will ever buy a panel unless I decide to go off the grid. LOL!. I have the 179.5 2017 Rpod. What size solar panel should I buy? I see everything from 40 watt on up to 100's of watts.
Also are they very heavy?
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2017.5 RPod 179
2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler
2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab
2 Weiner dogs
Great wife puts up with my BS
❤️ Thoroughbred Racing.
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computerfixitguy
Groupie
Joined: 04 Jun 2016
Location: Littleton, CO
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Posts: 91
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Posted: 03 May 2017 at 6:23pm |
I have a 200w. It was one of those bewildering moments like you are having. So I opted for the biggest one. Its really heavy. the 200w is 2 full size panels hinged together. Good news. I almost don't need batteries. They are that big.
At the end of the day, I have 2 6v golf batteries, which last 3 days (heater at night) by themselves. With the giant solar farm outside, they never dip in juice. I would probably be happier with a 100w.
Derek
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SDTrialer
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Joined: 01 Apr 2017
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Posts: 29
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Posted: 03 May 2017 at 8:16pm |
I've got the 80 w go power portable kit. Keeps me going for more than a week.
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Danielw1
Senior Member
Joined: 01 Apr 2017
Location: Oregon
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Posts: 115
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Posted: 03 May 2017 at 10:49pm |
If the 80w can charge the batteries shouldn't it keep you going indefinitely?
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SDTrialer
Newbie
Joined: 01 Apr 2017
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Posted: 04 May 2017 at 5:04am |
Cloudy and rain days make it impossible.
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Pod People
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Joined: 22 Sep 2011
Location: Chapel Hill,NC
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Posts: 1078
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Posted: 04 May 2017 at 7:37am |
We use a 100w Renogy suitcase panel set and have 2 6v golf cart batteries. the panels keep the batteries fully charged with about 4-5 hours of sun daily. even if it rains or is cloudy, the batteries will easily last 4-5 days without recharging. If it rains /cloudy longer than 4 days, I will hook the TV to the pod and recharge if necessary. the suitcase system is great for us. i have it connected to a 30" cord which allows the panels to be in the sun and the pod in the shade. It is a simple system.
Vann
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Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179
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sailor323
Senior Member
Joined: 11 Jun 2015
Location: S Central KY
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Posts: 281
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Posted: 13 May 2017 at 3:50pm |
Originally posted by rawest50
New here also. I am not sure I will ever buy a panel unless I decide to go off the grid. LOL!. I have the 179.5 2017 Rpod. What size solar panel should I buy? I see everything from 40 watt on up to 100's of watts.
Also are they very heavy? |
It really depends on how much off rid camping you do. 40 watts is not very useful regardless. 100 watts will do for short off grid trips, especially if your TV can charge your battery. 100 watts will probably not allow indefinite off grid camping. We have 280 watts worth of panel and can camp indefinitely off grid. Water, of course, is the big limiting factor both from a supply point of view and a waste point of view
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