blsmith25
Well-known member
When I got my RV, I had wanted a solar package so I could run things without plugging into power.
What I got was two expensive panels totalling 160W and all it does is charge my battery or keep it charged and a controller so they don't overcharge.
While that is nice, what I really wanted was solar POWER. That meant I want to plug an appliance into a 120V outlet and have it turn on without being plugged in.
So, did I get a bum deal or is this the typical definition of a solar package in an RV?
Are these panels useful for anything more than just charging the battery? I can do that by driving around for 1/2 hour or running the generator. Seems like the only benefit is that they can charge while I'm sitting still in direct sunlight. Seems like a very expensive battery charger to me. I have one deep cycle maintenance-free AGM auxilliary battery which it's connected to. I doubt it's connected to the vehicle battery.
Is what I want to do even feasible? Can anything be done with the system at this point? Would it be worth it? I mean, I'm glad I don't have to worry so much about the battery going dead, but I just feel that what I got was not what I wanted and what I wanted I couldn't have...
So, the people who have solar, is that all you have also is just a battery charger? Or do you have what I would call real solar power where you can run small 120V appliances in the outlets?
What I got was two expensive panels totalling 160W and all it does is charge my battery or keep it charged and a controller so they don't overcharge.
While that is nice, what I really wanted was solar POWER. That meant I want to plug an appliance into a 120V outlet and have it turn on without being plugged in.
So, did I get a bum deal or is this the typical definition of a solar package in an RV?
Are these panels useful for anything more than just charging the battery? I can do that by driving around for 1/2 hour or running the generator. Seems like the only benefit is that they can charge while I'm sitting still in direct sunlight. Seems like a very expensive battery charger to me. I have one deep cycle maintenance-free AGM auxilliary battery which it's connected to. I doubt it's connected to the vehicle battery.
Is what I want to do even feasible? Can anything be done with the system at this point? Would it be worth it? I mean, I'm glad I don't have to worry so much about the battery going dead, but I just feel that what I got was not what I wanted and what I wanted I couldn't have...
So, the people who have solar, is that all you have also is just a battery charger? Or do you have what I would call real solar power where you can run small 120V appliances in the outlets?