Solar system questions

[tvoneicken]

I got the dealer to install a 50W panel on our 2011 23FB when we got it. I just wanted to be able to drive away with a panel so I didn't need to worry about keeping the batteries topped off. I was convinced that adding more panel was going to be one of the first things on my list. But with the caveat that we've camped out west where trees are not a major issue so far I haven't felt the need for more wattage up there.

We have LED lights and I replaced the ones over the table with dimmer ones (warmer light and less wattage) and we're diligent about turning unneeded ones off. We also run the furnace as little as possible given how noisy it is. In the end even when we had lots of fog by the coast the batteries were nicely charged back up by the evening.

I'm sure I will eventually add another panel, but it has turned out to be much less necessary that I initially thought. Also, I don't quite understand what all the posts about A/C are about. Running a std A/C off an inverter off batteries seems insane. Technically possible, I know...

Oh, I do have a 2kw generator. I bought it because I thought 50W was going to be too little and I was hoping the A/C might start on it. I've used the gen 3 times so far: once to try the A/C (fail), once to recharge the SUV batteries (ouch), and once to run the microwave before we threw it out. A this point it's a 60lb insurance that I still carry around...

[Globie64]

Originally Posted by barts

We installed a 200W system on the Tin Pickle last year; I've really liked having the batteries charged every day as I need power for my CPAP machine at night. I've replaced almost all the incandescent interior lighting with either LED mr16 task lighting or indirect LED strip lighting; this is a huge win in terms of power consumption.


- Bart

Hey Barts, it would be great to get info on the LED lamps and strips you are using.

thanks

Peter

[blkmagikca]

If you plan on boondocking for any extended period, you will prefer some for of renewable energy, such as solar panels.

When I had a LY motorhome, I had a single 123-watt panel and 2 large 6-volt wet cells. It was barely sufficient (I use a CPAP machine at night and I need to have enough power to run it). As well, the on-board 6500-watt generator ran on liquid propane, and it didn't take long to go through an 80-lb tank. If you are drycamping, propane is critical for refrigeration.

I now have a 32-foot Excella that came with 3 75-watt solar panels, 4 AGM batteries and a 1400 VA Xantrex inverter. That, and having replaced all incandescent lighting with LED lighting, makes boondocking a piece of cake. Yes, I have a generator - however, I use it sparingly.

Last winter, I camped without hookups for 5 straight weeks. I'll be heading off next week for another month or so of dry camping (Quartzsite, here I come!).

There is also a small wind turbine generator available for around $600 that will produce 400 watts of power. The kit includes everything you need except the pole to mount it on. I looked into getting one of those, but I'll wait a while longer. It does have the advantage that, if there is some breeze it will charge at night when solar panels don't.

[barts]

Originally Posted by Globie64

Hey Barts, it would be great to get info on the LED lamps and strips you are using.

Warm white strips - 16' on sale now for $24.
www.LEDwholesalers.com - 16.4 ft / 5M Flexible LED Lighting Strip 300 SMD3528 with 3M Tape

MR16 bulbs
www.LEDwholesalers.com - MR16 240 Lumen 15 SMD LED Wide Angle Flood Light

also get the holders and sockets to go with 'em... they're hard to find locally, and these guys are cheaper.

- Bart

[UAPachyderm]

Bart, have you had issues with some of the lights going out on your flexible lighting strips?

A friend of mine installed about 24 feet of cuttable/linkable strips (brand and source unknown). About 1 out of 20 of his lights don't work ... but if you push your finger against the non-working lights they start working again for several hours. All in all, the LED strip is really nice though. It puts out some serious light!

If it is helpful to anyone, some time ago I replaced the bulbs in the factory fixtures of our 2004 28' CCD with the following directly from Airstream ...
1 x LED Replacement - 1156 40x50 Pad Warm White (15751W-07)
35 x LED Replacement - Halogen Puck Style Warm White (15751W-09)
5 x LED Replacement - 1156 Socket 13 LED Warm White (15751W-12)

[UAPachyderm]

Bart, I look forward to reading your blog as you chronicle the last two years!

Tin Pickle Adventures

[barts]

Originally Posted by UAPachyderm

Bart, have you had issues with some of the lights going out on your flexible lighting strips?

A friend of mine installed about 24 feet of cuttable/linkable strips (brand and source unknown). About 1 out of 20 of his lights don't work ... but if you push your finger against the non-working lights they start working again for several hours. All in all, the LED strip is really nice though. It puts out some serious light!

No problems so far... all of the LED works just fine, but I've only had 'em in a year or so. They're pretty well protected from incidental damage.

I'm also working a design for the light to replace the ceiling lights in our '72... we have the indirect lighting above the overhead storage, but the front of the trailer needs more light. Perhaps more birch plywood, with designs laser cut into the center... definitely more LED strip lighting, though.

- Bart


- Bart

[UAPachyderm]

The strips seem efficient, tight and produce a lot of light. Send us some pics once you create a solution for the front of your AS.

[Globie64]

I've used LED strips, tape, on a couple of projects, and find that the tape can be variable in quality. NORA makes some, and I had some issues with connections and quality. I've used WAC pucks, they're quite well made. The tape is sensitive to polarity, and you can fry it if you put it together backwards. I want to use it in our trailer for indirect lighting over the cabinets, and do away with the ceiling fixtures.