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07-30-2014, 08:04 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 269
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Solar Panel
We are considering a solar panel on our 2903 Bay Star. Curious if anyone out there has solar panel on there roof and how they like it. We have 2 - 6volt batteries and I am told by Newmar that it is equivalent to 3 to 4 12 volt batteries. We go quite a few places with out shore power and am told that with solar we can have TV's, lights and the receiver going and not have to use the generator to charge the batteries. We normally run it a couple of hours a day and it would be nice if solar would take the place of it. Thanks
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07-30-2014, 08:28 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Westcliffe, CO
Posts: 913
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Quote:
Originally Posted by roadtraveler
We are considering a solar panel on our 2903 Bay Star. Curious if anyone out there has solar panel on there roof and how they like it. We have 2 - 6volt batteries and I am told by Newmar that it is equivalent to 3 to 4 12 volt batteries. We go quite a few places with out shore power and am told that with solar we can have TV's, lights and the receiver going and not have to use the generator to charge the batteries. We normally run it a couple of hours a day and it would be nice if solar would take the place of it. Thanks
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Since you dry camp and you are looking for an alternative to running the genny, solar is a great option. If you were just looking to keep the batteries charged when not in use a single panel may be sufficient. For keeping the batts charged from normal living use you will need more wattage than a single panel will provide.
At this point it turns into a bit of fuzzy math to figure out your power usage per day and match the panel installation accordingly. There is a wealth of information posted in the RV Systems sub-forum that you can search on. Some people are the DIY'er type and put together a system themselves. I like to do a lot of the upgrade work on my coach but in the case of a total solar install I personally defer to those who I consider to be experts (my opinion only) for components and installation.
Many people have had very good results using the folks from AM Solar ( Welcome to AM Solar_Your RV Solar Specialists since 1987). Again my opinion... they are one of the most respected companies specializing in RV solar, and consequently you pay a premium for the expertise. Their web site also has a wealth of information so you can begin to educate yourself before making an investment. In addition to all of the posts on iRV2 that you can search, there is also very good info provided by Jack Mayer on his website ( Jack and Danielle Mayer).
Good luck in your quest for free power from the sun, just be prepared to spend some dough to get it.
Glenn
__________________
Glenn & Mary
2000 Monaco Dynasty 34 York / 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel / 2017 Polaris General
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07-30-2014, 08:39 AM
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#3
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Community Moderator
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
Posts: 31,248
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You need to determine how much power you need. First tally up the appliances that you will be using. Then look to see what the wattage of everything adds up to. This would be the minimum you would need. Remember that at night you will be drawing down the batteries and the solar panels will not be charging at that time.Rrecouping that power will require more power. Remember that cloudy days will degradate your panels efficiency. The panels will never be facing the sun 100% of the time so even though it may be rated at 100watts you will not get 100 out of it. A professional service will help you out with your needs. Good luck and Happy Trails!
__________________
Tony & Ruth........... FMCA#F416727
2016 London Aire 4519, Freightliner chassis, Cummins ISX, 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Blue Ox Avail with AF1. TST 507 TPMS
No amount of money can buy you an extra second of time.
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07-30-2014, 04:39 PM
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#5
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Moderator Emeritus
Nor'easters Club Workhorse Chassis Owner iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 30,785
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Thanks for those links DavidP I have added your post in QT's # 3.
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07-30-2014, 05:16 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 15,749
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Here is a write up on my solar installation, including inverter setup. Suggest to also check the education section of AMSOLAR's web site.
__________________
Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
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07-30-2014, 05:53 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,708
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The KISS system & answer
Get about 400 watts of panels that's about $500
2 more 6 volt batteries at least.
A controller I use the KID by midnight for about $350
An inverter 2000 watts, $320-up get pure sine wave
So about $1,300 - 1600
Now you can go off grid, I'm at 21 days w/o any elec.
No AC, that can't happen off a battery
__________________
Newmar Ventana 3933 | Miata close behind
1,060 Watts of Solar | 8 T-105 RE Batteries | Outback controls
HR 38 Endeavor
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07-30-2014, 07:59 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 269
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimbo2013
The KISS system & answer
Get about 400 watts of panels that's about $500
2 more 6 volt batteries at least.
A controller I use the KID by midnight for about $350
An inverter 2000 watts, $320-up get pure sine wave
So about $1,300 - 1600
Now you can go off grid, I'm at 21 days w/o any elec.
No AC, that can't happen off a battery
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Can you run any appliance, toaster or blender? Just curious if 4 - 6volt batteries would be enough for that or not. Sounds like you are glad you have it. I was going to make an appointment with the dealer I bought my RV from and have them put solar on and they suggested 200amp panel. Maybe he said 200 watt. I will check but 400 is the way to go it sounds like. Thanks
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07-30-2014, 08:11 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 269
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vsheetz
Here is a write up on my solar installation, including inverter setup. Suggest to also check the education section of AMSOLAR's web site.
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Very detailed. Thanks for the information. Sounds like you can run a few things off your system such as coffee pot etc. Very nice.
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07-30-2014, 08:55 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,708
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with 400 watts or more U will run it all, but need 4 6v batteries
__________________
Newmar Ventana 3933 | Miata close behind
1,060 Watts of Solar | 8 T-105 RE Batteries | Outback controls
HR 38 Endeavor
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07-30-2014, 09:25 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Horse Town USA, CA.
Posts: 3,781
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Since your in Idaho you should contact AM Solar in Oregon. Everything I have read about them, they do first class work. I have talked to Dave for technical advise and was very helpful. Since the dealer only suggested 200 watts of solar I wouldn't trust them with the install. Good luck.
Chuck
__________________
1999 35 ft. Dolphin 5350, F53, Banks System, 5 Stars Tune, Air Lift Air Bags, Koni Shocks, Blue OX TruCenter, TigerTrak track bars F&R, Roadmaster 1-3/4" rear auxiliary sway bar, 2004 F450 Lariat Pickup 6.0 Diesel Crew Cab DRW, 4X4, GVWR 15,000, Front GAWR 6,000, Rear GAWR 11,000, GCWR 26,000,1994 36ft Avion 5er, GVWR 13,700, 2,740 Pin Weight.
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07-30-2014, 09:30 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 269
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chboone
Since your in Idaho you should contact AM Solar in Oregon. Everything I have read about them, they do first class work. I have talked to Dave for technical advise and was very helpful. Since the dealer only suggested 200 watts of solar I wouldn't trust them with the install. Good luck.
Chuck
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Thanks I will call them.
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07-31-2014, 12:45 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 542
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Roadtraveler, not sure who your dealer is, but I would not have them do Solar. It is a bit more complicated than normal MH issues. I don't have Solar so I am no expert.
Just sayin.
Al Sawyer
'05 MT.Aire
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07-31-2014, 01:26 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Mariposa, CA
Posts: 3,926
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Solar Install Rally
__________________
2003 - 2010: 2004 35' National RV Sea Breeze LX 8341
2010 - 2021: 2001 41' Newmar Mountain Aire 4095
2021 - ???? : 2001 31' National RV Sea View 8311
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