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Old 09-19-2024, 03:28 PM   #1
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Is 1100 watts of solar panels considered decent for occasional boondocking?

We are looking at a new RV and one of the addons we can get with it, is a solar system. It includes 3x Furrion 370W panels mounted on top. It also has a 3000W/Pure Sine inverter, 2x 100AH batteries. The cost for this option is around $10,000. I realize they are probably jacking up the price, but my main concern is for a 36 foot RV, is that enough to power lights, fan, TV, etc., when we are some place with no power hookups. I know it will not run the AC/Heat units, I have a regular generator if I need that.

All lights are led's but I'm not familiar with solar and I'm not sure if that is adequate or if I need twice or even three times that much. Any advice?
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Old 09-19-2024, 04:44 PM   #2
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What kind of fridge does it have? Propane or electric only? If electric, that’s your big energy user.
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Old 09-19-2024, 04:47 PM   #3
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I think that you need more than 200 AH of batteries before adding more solar panels. Especially with a 3kW inverter. Running at even 2500 watts output, that will probably cause the BMS in the batteries to trip.



I have 500 watts solar, 2 100 AH batteries, and a 2 kW inverter and it works fine. I started with 1 100 AH battery and the inverter and microwave would trigger the BMS.
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Old 09-19-2024, 06:10 PM   #4
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That should have no problem running a fridge and modest lights, TV, and furnace blower, NOT heat pump or A/C. That's not too much panels for the batteries, because panels are CHEAP, and batteries are expensive. So far, we don't realistically know the life span of Li batteries, but quality panels last almost forever.



That 1,100w of panels will put out 500 w typically when flat, 4 good hours a day to recharge the batteries from 0, not that they'll be dead, just worst case. You could add another couple panels on another string to cover uses during the day, and maximize use of the batteries, while "wasting" some of the solar output (rig up a way to heat water or A/C or dehumidifier if wasting bothers you). Li supposedly will go thousands of cycles, which will never be used on most RVs.
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Old 09-19-2024, 08:18 PM   #5
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Short answer:
You'll be fine during sunny DAYS with all that solar (8 hours of sun), and OK overnight (16 hours on battery) UNLESS it's cloudy or raining.
But: Plan on buying 2 more batteries.

I would go to an an independent solar place for solar, where they MUST do a good job or they'll go bankrupt, and you can return to them, email or call when *something* happens, or you have a question, not an RV manufacturer install the system.

Long answer:
Generally speaking, 50% of solar = lithium storage. So with 1100 watts of solar you should get 550ah lithium. 200ah is silly with that much solar, and on the second day of rain/ clouds you'll be running your generator.

I have a small 12v fridge, NO PROPANE which uses 5.2amps per hour. It runs approximately 50% of the time, so 62.4 amps per day.
In a new 36 foot, you probably have a LARGE fridge which also is most likely 110AC, Possibly 12v., NO PROPANE. Look for a plate inside the fridge indicating amp draw (screenshot #1), then multiply that by 12 hours (assumes fridge motor runs 50% of the time which is reasonable in warm or hot environment, especially if there's no ventilation for the heat to escape).
If your fridge uses 10 amps X 12 hours = 120amps. If it is 110AC, it also needs the inverter always on which draws approximately. 8 amps/ hour X 24 = 19.2 amps. Thus: For your fridge, 19.2 + 120 = 139.2 amps per day.

MAXX Air fans: 1) .1 amp, 2) .4 amps 3) 1.5 amps 4) 2.8 amps.
I usually have 3 of them running on high 12 hours/ day = 3 x 2.8 x 12 = 100.8 amps

32" Television, soundbar, Winegard = 5.05 amps per hour x 3 hours = 15amps

Puck lights .3 amps

Phone/ tablet/ blootooth speaker charging .4 amps

700 watt drip coffee: 50amps x 13 minutes = 10.8 amps

Water pump: 3.6 amps × 12 minutes =
2 hours shower = .72 amps

I have 800watts solar and 360ah lithium. At this moment, I only have 55% capacity because it has been cloudy for 2 days. (Screenshot #2 shows past 7 days of my battery charge. Blue line is % of charge.
Screenshot #3 is past two days). That's with a much smaller fridge than yours, and 12v only, so no inverter. If I only had 200 ah, I'd likely have to run my generator 4 hours before bed. If I had a bigger 110 fridge, I'd be running the generator 4 hours ago and all night.
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Old 09-20-2024, 12:05 AM   #6
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We use a 100AH LIFEPO4 battery that has a C3.0 maximum discharge current capability(i.e., it can produce 300A for 22 minutes if needed), 200 Watts of portable solar panels and a 3000 Watt Inverter which is used to create a 120VAC 20A circuit that can be used alone or in addition to our shore power 50A 120/240VAC capability for our coffee maker, hair dryer, microwave oven, Starlink Internet, toaster oven, toilet heated bidet seat and vacuum. Everything else uses propane when we are dry camping (i.e., what the worthless and weak call "boondocking"). When not dry camping and we have 50A 120/240VAC power, nothing uses propane. The only things that limit the our dry camping duration are sourcing food, propane and water. It sure helps if you get educated and become competent so you can to do things right.

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Old 09-20-2024, 08:29 AM   #7
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As you've seen from the answers, it depends on the equipment you've got installed and how you will use it. The only way to determine if the system is adequate is to calculate how many AHs you will likely use during your boondocking periods then see if you have sufficient battery and solar capacity to recharge the battery. Hugo Hackenb has given you a good template for how to do that. The biggest question is do you have a residential (ie 110 AC) or RV (ie propane) fridge.
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Old 09-20-2024, 08:59 AM   #8
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depends on your power consumption.
I have 100 watts solar and its plenty if AC is not required.
Calculate your consumption and use suggested estimates for generation.
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Old 09-20-2024, 08:59 AM   #9
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You have some good replies already including Post #5 with details on running your Fridge and the duty cycle.

I just had a large electrical project completed this week for battery only off grid, which I know is not your goal as you will use shore power and run the Gen as needed. I did the calcs for my loads and that included periodic use of the Air-Con (soft start) which can be done using Li, and has been by many others for awhile now with no reported adverse affects to Li batteries if its done right and not abused. Again, not your use case.

With that said, a few comments:

LiFePO4 batteries have had many new entrants over the past 1-2 years that have come way down in price and are proving to be durable. You dont necessarily need Victron or Battleborn but at least find out what battery they are spec-ing.

For the Inverter, MPPT, etc., I would recommend Victron if you have a choice. Most larger end systems out there are using their gear.

Get a few more batteries/capacity as others have noted.

Lastly, if you know of a good electrical shop in your area you can have this work done by them after you get the RV. Their labor rates are $$, but you can customize it to your specs and work with them. Again, if you are mostly shore power and Gen at times then getting the dealers package will work out well for you.
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Old 09-21-2024, 02:33 PM   #10
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$10k is a little steep for that, unless you need to finance it in the purchase. We have a similar setup, 1080w panels, 4x105ah lithium batts, 90(150?) amp charge controller, 2k inverter. Cost a little over half that. My limitation is the inverter, we just don't run the microwave if other things, like the residential fridge, are running.
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Old 09-21-2024, 04:26 PM   #11
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I have a system that came with the coach. It is very good at maintaining the batteries while in storage. I think the panel is rated a 270 watts. If your system is going to be flooded batteries then it really doesn't make sense to load up on solar panels. If lithium batteries, then it depends on the type of camping you are doing. The big coaches like newell can last 9 to 12 hours disconnected.

I may go lithium just because I want to.

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Old 09-21-2024, 05:02 PM   #12
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$10,000 is highway robbery for what you are getting!
$5,000 would be too much in my opinion.


I did a DIY installation of 500w and a 2000w inverter and it cost me ~$700
https://www.irv2.com/forums/f56/proj...er-529010.html


Took me ~20hrs to do since I was learning and it was the first of 3 installations. I suppose if your installer is making $200/hr that would be $4000 in labor.


I strongly suggest you get your solar added NOT from the dealer and you will save a TON of $$$.


To answer your "is 1100w enough"... As a rule of thumb, 100w can produce on average ~30AH of charge to your batteries per sunny day. (Note: There are of course lots of variables). So your system at 1100w might be able to produce ~330AHs per day. Your two 100AH batteries add up to just 200AHs. You are see that the amount of solar is overkill if you are just needing 200AHs worth of batteries.



Suggestion:

Step 1: Install a battery monitor. They aren't expensive ($100-250) and they are an incredibly valuable tool to have in your power system.


Step 2: Fully charge your batteries.



Step 3: Go camping without electrical hookups (...or you can do this on your driveway/etc). Use all the power, lights, fans, fridge, TV, etc you would normally use. After a 24hr (or 48hr) period, you will have your answer as to "How many AHs do I typically use in a 24hr period?".


Once you know how many AHs you typically use, only then can you properly figure out a)How many batteries you need, and b)How much solar you need.


Good luck!
Chris
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Old 09-21-2024, 05:15 PM   #13
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a couple key points for the OP..

Pricey IMO...

What kind of batteries are you getting 2 100AHr as FLA or AGM with luck you can use about 120-130Ahr at 120V before they get mad .. you can draw a but more on 12V ..

LiPO at 200Ahr will let you pull evenly 180Ahr on good charge

My old absorbtion fridge pulling 27-28A at 12V / 20-25% duty... puts a hurting on 3 105Ahr FLA from 7pm til 8am... my 500 watt solar needs 8-hrs of well placed sun to get me back...

SO you need to sort of monitor somw power use when plugged in a way that mimics a boon dock weekend ON A SUNNY day.. then if cloudy , what are essential loads..

Those Panels 3 , 370 you mention will replace around 70 Ahr into the batteries per hr if in ideal sun / placement.. I would lean to 55-60 id flat mounted,,,

SO if you could muster 400Ahr of Lipo.. .. Running Solar ir not all about the charge rate but while you are making that 60Ahr,, what is the day time draw,, if you are pulling 30Ahr avg for 24 hrs then you need some aweful good sun or more solar.. No use boring the math in this..

Knowing your use is important... The fridge , depends on size will be the hog, based on temperature and how many times you open and close...

If you need AC then you need lots of SUN, maybe 9 panels and Batterys to hold a good load longer..

Then we talk AC type etc...

The rabbit hole goes deep...

My older ClassB unit, with a Dorm refig/freezer and 2 105Ahr FLA, I would run a 1000w honda on eco from 8 am till 7-9pm.. Batteries stayed top... Fridgev stayed fine all night, TV on til 2am , phone chargers, maybe 2 hours of heat in early AM to take chill out on a cool night.. Coffee in AM then repeat process,, I had no solar at that time..

Minimal needs... Honda use a bit over gallon of fuel... super quiet.. muffled away from others.. blah blah..

A mentioned I can do minimal in my newer class c 30ft with 500 solar and 300FLA... If I run frige on propane, I am golden even on a partial cloudy day..
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Old 09-22-2024, 08:07 AM   #14
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Simple answer: That is a good setup for your RV. Unless you plan to use the air conditioner(s) on battery power. Then it needs to be a LOT bigger.

The price is 3x what good components with those specs would cost. Only you can decide if that is highway robbery.

My favorite setup is 800W solar, 400Ah of battery and a Victron Orion XS 12V to 12V 50A charger. I could last forever with that setup. As long as we don't run the a/c.

I have 1600W solar, 824Ah of battery and it is still not enough to run my a/c on a hot day.
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