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08-17-2016, 10:51 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 5
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Completely Off Grid
So I. Getting a custom Class A diesel RV. Since it's custom I would only want skinny windows on top sides of RV. I plan to maximum the roof and sides with solar and lots of battery banks.
Is it really possible to be 100 percent off grid such as to run my full size fridge/freezer, lights and TVs on solar? Lights would be off most times and I wouldn't travel much, just to different camp sites every few weeks over summer.
Thoughts on going completely on solar?
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08-17-2016, 10:56 AM
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#2
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Senior Member/RVM #90
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 54,771
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Hi !  Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang! 
Sorry I can't help with your questions!
Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!  
__________________
Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
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08-17-2016, 10:57 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,718
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The biggest issue would be trying to run an air conditioner with your batteries only being charged by solar.
__________________
Paul J Stough Iowa
2005 Winnebago Voyage 38J
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08-17-2016, 11:08 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Enjoying the Western States!
Posts: 19,774
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Read this excellent blogger's upgrade for heavy-duty use of solar and using lithium batteries. Note that's it's in four parts - start at the beginning:
Solar Power – Wheeling It
Why are you choosing those kinds of windows? To me, it would be claustrophobic.
Definitely include a built-in generator in your custom Class A. You'll probably need it at times and you won't be able to sell the motorhome without it.
__________________
Full-timed for 16 Years . . .
Traveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Diesel
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th wheel
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08-17-2016, 11:52 AM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PJStough
The biggest issue would be trying to run an air conditioner with your batteries only being charged by solar.
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That's not a deal breaker for me. I would just put up a few ceiling fans and if need be and use air conditioner via propane (so i wouldn't be 10 percent off grid).
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08-17-2016, 11:55 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,718
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Madmax57
That's not a deal breaker for me. I would just put up a few ceiling fans and if need be and use air conditioner via propane (so i wouldn't be 10 percent off grid).
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How do you run an air conditioner via propane?
__________________
Paul J Stough Iowa
2005 Winnebago Voyage 38J
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08-17-2016, 11:55 AM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twogypsies
Read this excellent blogger's upgrade for heavy-duty use of solar and using lithium batteries. Note that's it's in four parts - start at the beginning:
Solar Power – Wheeling It
Why are you choosing those kinds of windows? To me, it would be claustrophobic.
Definitely include a built-in generator in your custom Class A. You'll probably need it at times and you won't be able to sell the motorhome without it. |
Thanks and yes I would have a generator for emergencies but I was thinking since the RV has underneath storage I would overload it with battery banks
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08-17-2016, 12:55 PM
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#8
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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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Where and when do you plan to camp? Lattitude, time of year, shading, climate - all factors that impact solar production.
__________________
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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08-17-2016, 12:58 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,569
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Madmax57
....Is it really possible to be 100 percent off grid such as to run my full size fridge/freezer, lights and TVs on solar?
Thoughts on going completely on solar?.....
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It's just math....... looks like you need to do some research.
Might start here;
https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/
__________________
1996 Tioga Class C
2007 Monaco Diplomat 40 PDQ
TOAD 2012 Cadillac SRX 4
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08-17-2016, 02:31 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 221
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I don't know how many batteries you are going to add in the storage areas, but keep in mind the additional weight. All the batteries, solar panels, and wiring add a lot of extra weight.
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08-17-2016, 04:27 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,420
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Check out some boating web sites.
I've been running off grid for years in my 35 ft trawler.
Residential fridge, Sat TV, small microwave, computers and phone chargers.
If I need AC, I run a Honda eu2000 generator for my 8000 BTU, aft cabin AC.
I have 675 watts of solar, 8 200 AH, 6 volt batteries and a Xantrex 2000 watt inverter.
We spend the winter in the Florida Keys, on anchor. Only during the shortest days and some cloud cover, do we need to run the Honda for charging. A few hours every 2 or 3 days get us thru the short winter days. The other 3 seasons, we drain the Honda and cover it up, except when AC is needed.
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08-17-2016, 04:34 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Full Time USA
Posts: 2,216
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You will indeed overload the coach!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Madmax57
Thanks and yes I would have a generator for emergencies but I was thinking since the RV has underneath I would overload it with battery banks
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__________________
Robert & Deb
07 Discovery 39v FWS Full Timers, Henniker NH
1K solar - 05 Jeep Grand Cherokee
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08-17-2016, 05:30 PM
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#13
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Community Moderator
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Central, Arkansas
Posts: 11,286
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Unless you pull a trailer full of solar panels and batteries you will never be 100% off grid. Of course you could wave all the modern day amenities and go little house on the prairie style.
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08-17-2016, 05:57 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Enjoying the Western States!
Posts: 19,774
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spdracr39
Unless you pull a trailer full of solar panels and batteries you will never be 100% off grid.
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Sure you can. Many full-timers do it. We've done it as long as the holding tanks hold out - usually two weeks. We only had 300w solar which was plenty for us in the West. We didn't need AC because we traveled according to temperature.
__________________
Full-timed for 16 Years . . .
Traveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Diesel
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th wheel
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