Community Forums

IMPULSE DRIVEN · 08-12-2013, 05:47 AM

I love the idea if being independent of a genset just because of noise and fuel consumption. I have a dream of a rig that can dry camp for days on end in comfort, using AC and microwave, but I bet such batterie and solar panel combination to do what I want would be insanely expensive.

Gocoffeer · 08-12-2013, 05:59 AM

Impulse.... I might totally agree with you that there is an almost insane cost to a solar array that is expected to run the AC unit in your rig. But if you dismiss the AC unit and aim for the other electrical hardware. You can build a nice solar support package that will be cost effective and allow you to boondock without reliance on the gennie. I am creating a weekender system for myself with a 4 battery and 2 panel install. This will give me some microwave and toaster use, TV, Lights, water pump, laptop recharge, heat, frig and some stereo with no need of plug in or gennie.

IMPULSE DRIVEN · 08-12-2013, 06:08 AM

I like it. I think in time the cost will come down on this.

Gocoffeer · 08-12-2013, 06:21 AM

The cost has dropped drastically in the area of the solar portion of the install. But you are talking copper wire and electronics too. If you have a moment... look up the price of a pure sine wave inverter that will run your rig. The one I have selected is just a mid sized inverter... it is almost $1200.00. The panel are 100w and I paid $169 each...the charge controller was $490 and the batteries $105 each.... add accessories....and wiring.... you get into a $2500-3000 project. Now on the scale of wanting to run AC.... hmmmmmmm Macho inverter, many panels and many batteries. Some rigs can not handle the weight added by the batteries.... I do not think my 34 footer can handle 16 batteries at almost 90-100 pounds each. It would put me way over the limit on safe load capacity.

clyon51 · 08-12-2013, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IMPULSE DRIVEN

I love the idea if being independent of a genset just because of noise and fuel consumption. I have a dream of a rig that can dry camp for days on end in comfort, using AC and microwave, but I bet such batterie and solar panel combination to do what I want would be insanely expensive.

I think anyone that has ever given this any thought would love this too. We don't do a ton of boondocking, but that would be the ultimate. It's not the money as much as I just hate paying inflated electric rates at most CGs when we stay at them. Nothing would please me more to check out and owe zero rather than our usual $100 @ month. Of course zero genny use with no fuel and noise is equally pleasing.

However, the technology is just not here to do this yet as you would like. Two AC units are going to use near 30 amps @ 120vac. An RV just doesn't have enough roof area to support enough panels to handle that. Then you need the room for all those batteries and support their weight.

I see Lithium batteries have hit the RV scene and looks like the next generation in RV power, but they are super expensive.

You can certainly manage to stay off grid indefinitely, it's you must limit the use of the big power eaters. Personally I've never heard of anyone using solar/inverter to run an AC unit.... Not that it's impossible.

IMPULSE DRIVEN · 08-12-2013, 06:31 AM

Yeah there are limations that have to be overcome before its cost effective and practical for a class C

Steve Ownby · 08-12-2013, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IMPULSE DRIVEN

I love the idea if being independent of a genset just because of noise and fuel consumption. I have a dream of a rig that can dry camp for days on end in comfort, using AC and microwave, but I bet such batterie and solar panel combination to do what I want would be insanely expensive.

It's just not possible will current levels of technology. Motors and heaters take lots of current. If you have room for 400-600 watts of panels and for a battery bank with 400-600 amp/ hours of capacity, you can have a weekend system. You will have to be very amp/hour conscience. Not possible to use A/C of course and limited micro. Lights should be led and TV led/lcd.

IMPULSE DRIVEN · 08-12-2013, 06:51 AM

Well if they could just make a really quiet genset

Gocoffeer · 08-12-2013, 07:01 AM

Agreed on the desire for a quiet gen set. As much as I would love to say mine is quiet.... with the new TV having such a poor volume level.... running the TV while using the gennie has proven....noise is noise.

IMPULSE DRIVEN · 08-12-2013, 07:48 AM

I can't understand why they can't make a quiet genset.

clyon51 · 08-12-2013, 07:51 AM

Honda's are the quietest. Too bad they don't make them for RV mfgr installation.

These work pretty well for noise and exhaust fumes.

Gen-turi Generator Exhaust System

Smitty77 · 08-12-2013, 09:33 AM

We look at our RV as our emergency lifeline, as well as our for fun vehicle. We think we will extend our Boon docking to 60-70% in the years ahead.

So we've added X4 L16's Lifelines for 800ah bank. (I came down to this from X5 8D Lifelines I was considering. As I feel 800ah will provide three days of moderate usage power.)

We're having Bus-kote added now, and X5 Panasonic 240s panels added. Great specs on this panel, and 1200w is about 45% more then I figured I needed.

This allow flat mount, and no climbing on the roof to tilt. It should also be a bit Noreen forgiving in partial shading. Another two plusses to these panels are: 1) less reflection from the glass, allows more AM and PM power production when the sun is less high; 2) they are more forgiving in higher temperatures, with more power production.

I'm a HiFi junky, and much oh this extra power will allow me to play my equipment without power concerns. Got Tubes

!?

For times where we are not Boon docking, this will save us some coin. We have a place at Park of.the Sierras, and should not need to use site power.

We plan to use this rig for 10-15 years, so look at these costs being spread out over a longer payback.

Best to all, have fun, be safe,
Smitty

ebksafari · 08-12-2013, 09:53 AM

I have set up my coach for extensive boondocking. I have 350 kws of solar panels and four 6-volt batteries. However, I limit my electrical usage to my TVs, the satellite receiver, LED lights, the water pump, my PC, and , of course, the fridge on gas. When I do not need 110volts, I turn off the inverter because it is an amp eater.

Even with the TV on for hours, I can go for days without the generator; the duration of my boondocking stay is limited more by the size of my holding tanks than the battery power available. But I would never dream of using air conditioners, the microwave, or any appliance with a heating element. I make coffee in an old fashioned percolator on the stove and my wife must air-dry her hair. I use a catalytic heater because the fan in the coach furnace uses a lot of amps.

To be fair, I do run the generator every four or five days because a) it needs the exercised, b) to keep peace with my wife and her hair-dryer, and c) I like to bring the batteries to 100% once in a while; the solar panels will only bring them up to about 80% even though the voltmeter does show them fully charged and they stop charging when they reach this point. (Eventually the panels would bring them to 100& but this means not using the batteries for two or three days, as when the RV is stored.)

Expect to pay an initial high price for solar panels, a controller, installation, a quality inverter that will run the whole coach and its installation. There is also the cost of the catalytic heater and its installation. As an alternative, one can use several small inverters, one for each separate 110 VAC item but this presupposes a lot of 12 volt outlets and wires running all over. Also the charger side of a good inverter would be lost. For me it was well worth the expense not to hear the generator running for hours each day.

Ed-Sommers · 08-12-2013, 10:14 AM

I've got 1200 watts of solar on the roof, and run all the normal things most all of us have, including the microwave (but a lower wattage one), and have found that I can cool off the closed off bedroom with a 5000 BTU window unit to the point where the Air-con cycles.

But I can only use the Air Con during the day when max input from the panels is achieved, and after the battery's have been charged (which is usually 10 or 11), and can go till sunset if I'm smart about it, and watch the total use at my meter.

I haven't been in a RV park in years, I'm a full time Boondocker!

Ed