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nasi
Newbie
Joined: 11 Apr 2021
Location: Wisconsin
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Posts: 5
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Topic: 200 W of Solar Posted: 10 May 2021 at 11:58am |
Thanks offgrid. So, do you think a 100w panel with a 20A PWM charge controller would be adequate to keep lights, water pump and furnace fan going, assuming enough sun?
Thanks again,
Steve
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offgrid
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Jul 2018
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Posts: 5290
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Posted: 10 May 2021 at 11:15am |
craigslist. You could also try EBay but watch the shipping costs.
You should last several days if you're just using lights and the water pump. The pump has a very low duty cycle (% on time) and the lights are LED so very efficient. Just turn off the lights if you're not actually using that area. The fans (furnace and bathroom vent) use more if the weather gets hot or cold. I'd say 200 watts solar would probably be overkill in your situation. No harm in it though, the controller will prevent battery overcharging.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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nasi
Newbie
Joined: 11 Apr 2021
Location: Wisconsin
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5
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Posted: 10 May 2021 at 10:47am |
Hello offgrid. What is a CL? I also am looking for a 200w system. And, how long will a regular battery last without shore power if you are using only the water pump and lights? I have a 2020 R180.
Thanks ahead of time
Steve
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offgrid
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Jul 2018
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Posts: 5290
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Posted: 04 May 2021 at 6:25pm |
If you run two modules in series then both of them need to be completely unshaded. All the cells in both will be series connected so shading any cell will take out both modules.
If you run two modules in parallel then shading on one doesn't effect the other. However, since MPPT controllers step the voltage down, you don't have enough voltage on nominal 12v modules (36 cells) to use one.
Thats why I prefer a PWM controller for portable applications subject to shading with 12v modules. Cheaper too. If you go with the 60 cell or higher modules then you need to use an MPPT.
Not sure what the convenience is with the Renogy kit? You can get a Renogy controller if you like that and still get a residential 60 cell module as the power source, and be ahead a couple hundred dollars with more power.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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Colt
Senior Member
Joined: 16 Nov 2019
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Posts: 383
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Posted: 04 May 2021 at 2:03pm |
I think you could do it a little cheaper, but Renogy is supposed to be a good company and there is a lot of convenience there.
I'd ask for an MPPT controller and run the panels in series (24V). That will give you a little more generation at the ends of a day and in rainy/overcast days. The higher voltage could also let you run longer wires from the panels to the controller (So your trailer can be shaded and the panels get full sun).
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John
'16 R-Pod 180
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offgrid
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Jul 2018
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Posts: 5290
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Posted: 03 May 2021 at 5:55am |
Depends what you want to do for mounting (portable vs roof) and how many amphours you are taking out of you batteries daily. Get a voltmeter and starting with a fully charged battery, use power normally until the voltage (with everything off for half an hour or so) is around 12 or 12.1 volts. That is about 50% state of charge or roughly 100 amphours out of your golf cart batteries.
Divide by the number of days (and partial days) you've been camping. That is the number of amp hours per day you're using.
Next, multiply your daily amp hours by 4.5. That is roughly how many watts of solar you'll need to maintain battery charge under average 3 season conditions with an unshaded solar system. Many folks find 100 watts is sufficient, others need more, it depends on what you are running in the trailer.
Renogy stuff works fine but it's not exactly inexpensive. If you do decide you need a 200+ watt portable solar system, the most bang for the buck is to get a standard 60 cell residential (250-300 watts) module. These are often available left over from installations for 50 cents a watt or less. Try CL.
You will also need an MPPT charge controller, 30-40 amp, which you can get on the 'zon pretty cheap now. Some 10 gauge cable, a fuse and fuse holder, and back leg materials to tilt the module and fold up when not in use and that's it.
If you don't want to lug around a few hundred watts of PV and want to roof mount it instead, consider getting an 72 cell commercial module (350-400 watts) and roof mounting that. Those modules are the standard for commercial solar installations so are the least expensive per watt. The length of those big modules is almost the same as the width of the narrow rpods so if you get the right one it will extend side to side so you don't have to put holes in the rpod roof.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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SailorDude
Groupie
Joined: 06 Dec 2020
Location: Washington
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 48
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Posted: 02 May 2021 at 11:07pm |
Is this a good deal for charging 2 6 volt Golf Cart batteries?
https://www.renogy.com/200-watt-12-volt-monocrystalline-foldable-solar-suitcase/?gclid=CjwKCAjwm7mEBhBsEiwA_of-TFz7kre-WQPMBiXmYHgW4XN8BU1-u3Ft2VtXm-rGGSqJSkpyWkElhhoCpiAQAvD_BwE
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SailorDude
2018 RP176
F-250 Superduty XL
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