Solar panel recommendation

[Gyrophoenix]

Providing advice, particularly when it's not solicited, can be a mine-field. No matter what advice is given, there are always those who will disagree, criticize or have their own opinion. And as we all know, opinions are like belly-buttons, everyone has them.

I've been RVing since 1970, and have been full-timing for 3 years. Robin and I had the goal of being able to boondock in complete comfort, as staying in RV parks has no appeal to us. To make a long story short, we purchased a 2008 HR Scepter, a Class A with great bones, and had it refurbished to meet our requirements. There's 4,000 watts of solar panels (plus another 500 watts dedicated to the trailer), 2,400ah of 12 volt LiPo battery storage (eight 300ah batteries), (plus another 300ah LiPo in the trailer), five 60 amp solar charge controllers (plus one in the trailer), dual 4,000 watt inverters, and a bunch of other stuff.

I thought I'd put up a few posts regarding some of the components which have allowed us to achieve our goals, so if others are planning on doing something similar, they may have some guidance based upon our humble experience.

This post is focused on solar panels. (Batteries will be addressed in a separate post.) In the past few years the internet has literally exploded with advertisements for virtually every type of RV component available, including solar panels, batteries and anything else you can name. There's always someone out there ready to sell you something at a lower cost. My goal was to find the best. Not necessarily the least expensive.

After considerable research we decided on using solar panels, charge controllers, and some other solar system components offered by Rich Solar. The roof of the coach, as can be seen in the attached photo, has twelve 200 watt panels. There are 4 more 400 watt panels on the trailer, as seen in the second photo. The 1,600 watts from the trailer panels are routed to two charge controllers in the coach's electric bay, with umbilicals from the trailer to the coach.

(Before we go any further, I know there are already some heads exploding out there: "Why did he design a 12 volt system? He should have gone with a 24 or 48 volt system. Lower amperages, yada, yada, yada..... This thread is not for that discussion. I have my reasons, and I stand by them. But please, no disparaging posts about it being a 12 volt system. Thanks.)

The third photo shows the 5 charge controllers on the wall of the electric bay. Each charge controller may be separately disconnected from the solar panels, and the batteries, not affecting the operation of the other controllers.

I'll be upfront and tell you that Rich Solar was so impressed by this set-up that they've asked that Robin and I create some videos for them, as well as spread the word about their products. And as I do believe they offer the best solar products available at a good price, and are performing as expected, we agreed.

If you use this link to Rich Solar, Robin and I will receive a small credit if you purchase their products:
RICH SOLAR | Solar Panels, Lithium Batteries, Inverters, Off-Grid Kits

If you have questions about our set-up, please feel free to post them, and I'll do my best to answer.

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

What's your typical daily Wh use and can your solar keep up during winter sun angle?

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[Gyrophoenix]

What's your typical daily Wh use and can your solar keep up during winter sun angle?

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

Hello Mark,

Usage varies tremendously, depending on what appliances we're using, outside temperature, etc... I've gotten into the habit of monitoring and measuring usage in amp hours, as I know that the batteries store 2,400 amp hours, and the solar panels, depending on season and cloud cover, can produce between 100 and 250 amp hours per hour during the daytime.

Don't get me wrong: I didn't mean to give the impression that we use all of our appliances, A/C and other stuff all at once, 24/7. Even with all of that power generating ability, and storage, we are always conscious of and practice energy management. For example, we may use the induction stovetop and the air fryer (2 separate circuits on the two inverters), at the same time, as well as the other odds and ends like an electric space heater, and the refrigerator. After 3 years, we know the amperage draw from everything, and in our minds always know what the cumulative usage is in real time.

In the summer we like to leave the A/C on all night in the bedroom area. After experimentation, we found that doing so only used about 900 to 1,000 ah from the battery bank. So by noon the next day, the panels had fully recharged the batteries. In the winter more attention has to be paid to energy management, because, as you noted, the sun angle is lower, and the panels don't produce as much electricity. But it's very easy and comfortable once it's figured out.

I hope my answer has been useful.

 

[IBTripping]

Nice set up with huge capacity. Just curious, do your future plans include updating to 12 volt air conditioners?

 

[Isaac-1]

One thing to keep in mind with any solar installation is that the best way to do it 5 years ago, or even 1 year ago, may not be the best option today or next year. As technology keeps changing, and new innovative products keep being introduced on the market, some of which are real game changers.

 

[Gyrophoenix]

Nice set up with huge capacity. Just curious, do your future plans include updating to 12 volt air conditioners?

I've thought about it. Two problems that are preventing this change:
1) Installing the wiring to provide the 12 volt DC power is problematic. As it stands, the Dometics run on 120 volt, which is what's available up there. Also, the Dometics are heat pumps, which means they can be used for heating as well as cooling. The 12 volt units can't do that.
2) The 12 volt units don't work with the existing ducting system. The ducting makes the units much more effective.

The 12 volt units certainly use MUCH less power. Makes them attractive. But not for my coach.... :0(

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

You seem to have given plenty of thought to your power needs and the pros & cons of each choice. In my book, that's the key to a successful installation. Well done!

 

[Gyrophoenix]

You seem to have given plenty of thought to your power needs and the pros & cons of each choice. In my book, that's the key to a successful installation. Well done!

Thank you, Gary. Your opinion carries weight.

 

[House Husband]

I wounder if you are ever concerned about youu total length? 42' + 30' + 3' for tow bar. 75'.
Or do you have a permit to exced 65'?

Richard

 

[Gyrophoenix]

We're residents of South Dakota, and the coach and trailer are also registered in South Dakota. No permit is needed as long as the combined length is 80 feet or less. Just as reciprocity covers a valid driver's license issued by one state to all other states, it also covers maximum vehicle length for validly registered vehicles/combinations.

 

[DonTom]

One thing to keep in mind with any solar installation is that the best way to do it 5 years ago, or even 1 year ago, may not be the best option today or next year.

That is the reason I decided to go with external. Easy to change out without climbing up on the roof. They can also be aimed right at the sun. But I only need to deal with 600 watts worth, in three panels in series. But that is enough for me to get a full charge on a sunny day without using the genny (unless I need to charge up the bike).

-Don- Reno, NV

 

[Lou Schneider]

We're residents of South Dakota, and the coach and trailer are also registered in South Dakota. No permit is needed as long as the combined length is 80 feet or less. Just as reciprocity covers a valid driver's license issued by one state to all other states, it also covers maximum vehicle length for validly registered vehicles/combinations.

Really? I thought reciprocity only covered drivers licenses. Vehicles have to conform to the rules of each state which can go as low as 60 ft for the combination. For example, California has a 65 ft overall length limit and they allow 53 ft trailers but the trailer axles can't be more than 40 ft. from the trailer kingpin.

The only exception are roads on the National Network, federally designated highways used for Interstate trade.

RV Regulations And Safety Requirements By State

Ensure your RV adventures are safe and compliant by understanding the specific regulations and safety requirements for each state. Stay informed and travel

traxdolly.com

 

[DonTom]

And from Lou's link:

"Do RV regulations vary by state?​

Yes, RV regulations can vary significantly by state. It is important to check the specific regulations for each state you plan to travel through to ensure compliance."