As the title suggest I have many questions on Solar. Throughout many threads here there is plenty of "large" systems that will power a complete RV. Reading through all of them there is little mention of the actual what and how and why? the systems are built the way they are. With respect to all of those threads the "why?" is generally to power the complete RV with battery power when there is no other power available. The "How" seems to be pretty self explanatory but with a few questions as well. The "what?" may have the most questions.
My "Why?" is that I have recently added 2 Lion UT1300 batteries for a total of 210 ah. With this I would like to have the ability to use Solar to charge the batteries when convenient, sunshine is key this process from what I gather and sometimes we are in the woods with very little sunshine getting through the canopy. It is my understanding that one would want 2 times the Solar wattage than the battery bank so I would need at least 400 watts of Solar, here comes the first question, If 400 watts is required then would 1200 watts be better? I can fit 6 - 215 watt Solar panels on my roof so should I do all 6 or will 2 be sufficient? Is the extra cost of the 6 worth it as far as gain in charging? A Solar panel is only about 17% to 20% efficient, What does this mean? Will a 200 watt panel only produce 40 watts? Will the cost of the 6 panels and a different charge produce faster charging that would override the cost of the setup or will 2 panels and a smaller charger do just as good? Maybe that is some of the "what?" part as well.
The "How?" seems to me to be How do I not fall down the "rabbit hole" that leads to thousands of dollars spent when really at this time is unneeded. The system that I am thinking of , either 2,4, or 6 panels, will be set up to upgrade at a later point if I wish to go full blown inverter and all that jazz. An Inverter is not in the works at all at this time.
The "What" part may be the worse thing. I have been reading and trying to comprehend the whole Solar systems, haha, but there is so many panels , controllers , wiring , and so on that it just seems to get more confusing each time I think I have it worked out I find something else or get another suggestion from someone.
This may seem kind of jumbled as my brain is jumbled with all of this as well, but here is my basic needs as I like to keep things basic and easy for just about anyone to do on their own.
Having the 2 batteries I would like to get a Solar system that would keep them charged or charge them when in sunshine while camped or traveling, I know the DC - DC charger will help with this while traveling and I may do that as well but this is about Solar.
So , all of the Solar guru's out there let me have it, be kind , and help a basic owner out, as well as others who may be pondering a similar setup.
Brian
My "Why?" is that I have recently added 2 Lion UT1300 batteries for a total of 210 ah. With this I would like to have the ability to use Solar to charge the batteries when convenient, sunshine is key this process from what I gather and sometimes we are in the woods with very little sunshine getting through the canopy. It is my understanding that one would want 2 times the Solar wattage than the battery bank so I would need at least 400 watts of Solar, here comes the first question, If 400 watts is required then would 1200 watts be better? I can fit 6 - 215 watt Solar panels on my roof so should I do all 6 or will 2 be sufficient? Is the extra cost of the 6 worth it as far as gain in charging? A Solar panel is only about 17% to 20% efficient, What does this mean? Will a 200 watt panel only produce 40 watts? Will the cost of the 6 panels and a different charge produce faster charging that would override the cost of the setup or will 2 panels and a smaller charger do just as good? Maybe that is some of the "what?" part as well.
The "How?" seems to me to be How do I not fall down the "rabbit hole" that leads to thousands of dollars spent when really at this time is unneeded. The system that I am thinking of , either 2,4, or 6 panels, will be set up to upgrade at a later point if I wish to go full blown inverter and all that jazz. An Inverter is not in the works at all at this time.
The "What" part may be the worse thing. I have been reading and trying to comprehend the whole Solar systems, haha, but there is so many panels , controllers , wiring , and so on that it just seems to get more confusing each time I think I have it worked out I find something else or get another suggestion from someone.
This may seem kind of jumbled as my brain is jumbled with all of this as well, but here is my basic needs as I like to keep things basic and easy for just about anyone to do on their own.
Having the 2 batteries I would like to get a Solar system that would keep them charged or charge them when in sunshine while camped or traveling, I know the DC - DC charger will help with this while traveling and I may do that as well but this is about Solar.
So , all of the Solar guru's out there let me have it, be kind , and help a basic owner out, as well as others who may be pondering a similar setup.
Brian
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