solar
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14508
Printed Date: 27 Apr 2024 at 2:15am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: solar
Posted By: Hunter
Subject: solar
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2021 at 8:37am
| Happy Good Friday! I have a question about solar. I have a 2021 rpod 196 that came with the solar package. I am thinking of purchasing renogy 200 watt portable package that comes with its own controller to increase my solar charging capacity. Can I hook this up to my batteries directly without causing problems with the existing electrical system? I have been thinking I could have a pos and neg pigtail permanently coming out from batteries that I could connect to when i want to use the portable unit? Anyone had any experience with the portable solar systems? |
Replies:
Posted By: EchoGale
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2021 at 9:46am
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Hi Hunter, Yes you can and it is designed for this. It comes with alligator clips and has a built-in fuse. As for your other question I'll look forward to seeing what those with more battery experience than I have say. I like the idea. ------------- Julie |
Posted By: Hunter
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2021 at 10:00am
| Thanks for your response. This is what I thought but am new to all this. Do you have this system yourself? |
Posted By: Pod_Geek
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2021 at 10:02am
Does this mean that you're not sure about have two separate solar inputs (both with their own controller) attached to a single battery? ------------- 2020.5 R-Pod 195 Hood River 2018 RAM 2500 6.4L |
Posted By: Colt
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2021 at 10:33am
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If the systems are run in parallel, it should be no problem. Each charge controller should respond to the battery voltage it sees and react accordingly. They won't care how the voltage got to where it is. ------------- John '16 R-Pod 180 |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2021 at 10:55am
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We have used a Renogy 100 watt solar suitcase for about 4 years. We love it. It has always worked well in keeping our 2 6volt batteries charged. The Renogy materials and workmanship seem fine and the complete package has been very durable and dependable. I don't see why the permanent pigtails would be a problem as long as they were shielded so they could not come into contact with anything that might create a short or be compromised by weather. I'm sure you would need an appropriate sized fuse somewhere between the panels and the battery. Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: EchoGale
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2021 at 11:04am
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I do have the system and was responding to your question about permanent pigtails, thanks for answering Pod People. Mine is fairly new and has a fuse already included in the connecting wires. ------------- Julie |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2021 at 11:22am
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No problem adding additional solar capacity. However, if you do that you should also consider upgrading your battery capacity. You will have over 300 watts which will recharge a single 100 amp hour battery from 50% (as far down as you want to take it) in a couple of hours on a sunny day, after which the remaining capacity is wasted. Solar power systems work best if the solar, battery, and load sizes are in reasonable balance. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: Hunter
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2021 at 4:54pm
| Thank You all for your responses. Very Helpful! Gradually I am beginning to get a handle on all of this . The walk though when I picked the camper up was not very thorough due to very bad weather.One of the reasons I am thinking of going with the 200 watt solar system is in anticipation of gradually building up my battery capacity. What all runs off the 12 volt system beyond fans for heater and lights tv etc? Does the frig when you are not using gas or shore power? I have a cpap that I ran off a battery and 750 watt inverter with my pop top before the rpod . I do not think that there is an inverter on board the rpod so I am planning on doing the same thing again when I am camping off the grid. Another reason for the 200 watt system. |
Posted By: Ricktoon
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2021 at 6:32pm
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I built a 200 watt solar suitcase setup for my R-pod 196. Plan to use an SAE connector on the battery box with the wires attached to the battery - with a fuse on the positive. I will then have the solar suitcase connected to the charge controller and a male version of the SAE connector attached to the charge controller. I can just plug in when I set up. ------------- Rick and Ellen B 2019 Chevy Colorado 2021 Rpod 196 |
Posted By: Ricktoon
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2021 at 6:34pm
------------- Rick and Ellen B 2019 Chevy Colorado 2021 Rpod 196 |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2021 at 7:38pm
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Don't try to run the fridge off 12v except while on the road while you can charge from the tow vehicle alternator. Change it over to propane as soon as you stop for the night.
Other than lights furnace fan bathroom fan stereo that's about it for the 12-volt loads in your trailer. I've heard some of the new rpods have dual voltage TVs otherwise you could change it out to a dual volt TV. You can get a 12 volt CPAP as well. That would be more efficient than using inverter but it's up to you which way you go. PThe air conditioner is too big to run off an inverter, batteries and solar and while it's possible to run the microwave it's pushing it. Have fun! ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: Hunter
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2021 at 9:20pm
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Thanks Offgrid. Are you saying the fridge will run off the 12 volt system if I do not have it turned on to gas and disconnected from shore power? You are right about the efficiency of the inverter but i thought since I already have it and the extra battery and the cpap i could save $ using it for now The tv in the 196 is 12 volt. I wonder if it is dual volt as you suggest?
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Posted By: Hunter
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2021 at 9:24pm
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I'm not sure i understand the pict?
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Posted By: Ricktoon
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2021 at 9:52pm
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Sorry about pic. Not hooked up yet. Wire with SAE from controller. Plug in will b on battery case. Installing next week. ------------- Rick and Ellen B 2019 Chevy Colorado 2021 Rpod 196 |
Posted By: Ben Herman
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2021 at 10:18pm
| The fridge is much more efficient running on propane, 12v fridge only good when you are driving and your vehicle is charging the battery. We actually run our fridge on propane when travelling, some dont as there is some level of risk from explosion if you were to get into an accident. So overall 12v loads during normal camping are pretty low. I do not know about 12 V TV, we don't watch tv while camping. |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 03 Apr 2021 at 3:12am
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Hunter, sorry about causing confusion on the fridge. You have a larger rpod with the larger fridge which is 2 way (120Vac/propane) not 3 way like my smaller one.
Just leave it on propane unless connected to shore power. There are a few tunnels where you are required to shut off the propane at the cylinder, most notably in our general area the Norfolk VA area bridge/tunnels. Just turn it back on at your next stop and restart the fridge. The fridge will stay cold for quite awhile. There are other members here using cpaps who can provide more cogent advice than I can on what works the best. By general rule is to use 12v gear when I can but you can certainly use an inverter and ac gear. If you don't already have an inverter get a "true sine wave" one, the ones described as "modified sine wave" really output a modified square wave which is hard on many load devices and creates lots of electrical noise. The "true sine wave" ones cost more but add well worth it. Not sure what TV you have but if the TV has a 120Vac power cord and a 12V one then it's 2 way and should switch over to 120 if that is available. That's what mine does but it was an aftermarket purchase. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |