|
02-12-2013, 07:01 PM
|
#1
|
Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 76
|
Solar Battery Charger
OK so I searched all over cant really find directly related to my question.
I have an XT-245 & I am wondering if anyone out there has a good Battery Charger setup using Solar power. Basically something to maintain the Batteries while camper is unused or stored in the yard. I dont want it to be wimpy because When I dry camp Imight want to hook it up to maintain the batteries for me during the week or 2 we are dry camping. I have a generator just looking for something to use solar not real big & bulky I have no ideas about Watts & I think I need a controller so to keep my battery from over chanrging or uncharging while no sun is up. But again I am new to this whole Solar idea but think I want to start someplace so I figured camper would be a good start.
Thoughts ideas or links would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance for any information
__________________
|
|
|
02-13-2013, 10:32 AM
|
#2
|
Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Arizona
Posts: 1,297
|
You are really looking at 2 different applications. You don't much to maintain the battery while the trailer is not use. I have a small solar panel that attaches to the battery with alligator clips that is about the size of an I-pad. It will maintain a battery that is already charged while the battery is sitting. But this will never be sufficient to recharge the battery from use from dry-camping.
Other than what I have read, I don't have any personal experience with solar panel systems that have the capability to do what you're looking for. Here's a link to site that can give you some background info on the type of system you're looking for. It is a site that sells systems so it's full of ads for their product, but has some good info.
http://www.solar-power-4u.com/category/rv-solar-2
__________________
__________________
2011 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab 4X4
2009 210 WBS
Prodigy P3
|
|
|
02-14-2013, 08:08 AM
|
#3
|
Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 76
|
Thanks for the link LJAZ. I certainly check it out
|
|
|
02-14-2013, 08:21 PM
|
#4
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Melbourne Florida
Posts: 18
|
I asked this same question last summer. I went to Harbor Freight and bought a 140 watt kit. The week that I tried to use it dry camping it rained everyday and i lost the charge on my battery.I have a post from someone that has already researched the details. I am not sure how to link you to it.d. If anyone can tell me how to get a message that is in my in box copied to someone else I will get it for you. Or search for post from SHADOW that is who sent them to me.
__________________
2011 Fun Finder 210
2001 Chevy Express
Equlizer
Prodigy 3
|
|
|
02-15-2013, 04:19 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Southwest Arizona
Posts: 624
|
As has already been mentioned, there is huge difference in the ability to trickle charge (maintain) a battery and the ability to recharge a battery or batteries via solar.
Trickle charging is relatively easy and cheap; many companies make maintainers with solar as a power source and they are compact and portable.
Recharging via solar is a major undertaking; much larger panels needed (read $$$), controllers to manage the much larger amperage required and the cost of all of the above is a big expense and takes a lot more fore thought than just "gee, I'll get a solar recharging system". That's why a lot of people buy generators for recharging while boondocking; much more reliable (doesn't require sun and works in the dark, too) and is easier to manage since you plug your shore cable into the generator and your convertor manages the charge rate and distribution. Cost, ease of use and ease of maintenance lead most folks to generators as opposed to solar. Solar is a great idea, but, just like solar electrical power for the home, needs some more "science" to make it viable when compared to other forms of electrical supply.
It is available though, and with the proper planning can be done if you've got the time, energy and money to invest in that type of system., but, you won't find a "solar recharger" that is economical and capable of recharging while boondocking.
__________________
My 2 cents, your mileage may vary...
Don
Bronwyn
2 Cats; J-Lo and Ragamuffin :R
2014 Thor Tuscany 40RX DP
2011 Ram 2500 Longhorn CTD HO
2011 Keystone Cougar 318SAB (now gone)
2008 FunFinder X 210WBS (Sadly gone)
|
|
|
02-16-2013, 08:21 AM
|
#6
|
Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 76
|
Thanks everyone. Maybe I'll take baby steps first.
Mykidsrv. Not sure how you can repost for me. Can you forward it to an email?
|
|
|
02-25-2013, 10:15 PM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: TN
Posts: 415
|
I'll second what some others have said. It is very different to have a solar/photovoltaic (PV) system to charge the single RV lead acid battery that powers the DC lights/slide/pump etc.
I have installed 4-68 watt flexible PV panels on my 210UDS roof. The panels are connected to a solar charger that charges my RV batteries. I bought 3 additional batteries (total now 4) that are in a larger battery box behind the propane tank on the trailer.
In turn - the batteries are connected to a power inverter that takes the batteries' DC power and converts to AC. This allows me to run my AC outlets, my AC for a very short time. But with the solar charger my batteries charge daily when I'm dry camping. Not the cheapest modification, but lets me stay in some campsites that don't provide power.
__________________
2012 FunFinder X 210UDS
4-68 watt flexible panels; 1-215 glass panel/4 Battle Born LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Batteries
2014 Ford F350 6.7 Liter PowerStroke V-8 Diesel longbed, SRW
|
|
|
02-26-2013, 10:57 AM
|
#8
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 58
|
I have a 214WSD and installing this system,
http://gpelectric.com/products/solar...harging-system
along with 2x 6 Volt LifeLine Batteries at 300 Amp Hours, Plus we are going
to add the 12V battery that come with the trailer on a Battery switch as a
back up source
__________________
2013 214WSD
2013 Mercedes Benz GL550
w/ Tow Package
2000W GoPower Inverter
2x6V LifeLine Battery's
GoPower Solar Elite System
2x Honda 2000's w/ 30 AMP Plug
2x145w Polycrystalline Solar Panels
EAZ-LIFT Weight Dist. Hitch
|
|
|
02-26-2013, 11:24 AM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Southern California
Posts: 2,142
|
What a great system, Marlando!
That is going to be a terrific addition to your trailer -- that whole collection of hardware had to be over a thousand dollars, right?
Let us know how the installation goes -- are you putting the panels on the roof? Will you be able to tilt them to match the sun angle?
|
|
|
02-26-2013, 12:06 PM
|
#10
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 58
|
Re: What a great system, Marlando!
Quote:
Originally Posted by profdant139
That is going to be a terrific addition to your trailer -- that whole collection of hardware had to be over a thousand dollars, right?
Let us know how the installation goes -- are you putting the panels on the roof? Will you be able to tilt them to match the sun angle?
|
The panels will go on the roof, I might just get the kit to angle them, but dont know yet, as I dont have a latter to get up to roof when needed.
$3000 just all equipment, plus install.
Should be great for dry camping, might add 2 more 6 volt batteries, we will see
__________________
2013 214WSD
2013 Mercedes Benz GL550
w/ Tow Package
2000W GoPower Inverter
2x6V LifeLine Battery's
GoPower Solar Elite System
2x Honda 2000's w/ 30 AMP Plug
2x145w Polycrystalline Solar Panels
EAZ-LIFT Weight Dist. Hitch
|
|
|
02-26-2013, 12:21 PM
|
#11
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 58
|
__________________
2013 214WSD
2013 Mercedes Benz GL550
w/ Tow Package
2000W GoPower Inverter
2x6V LifeLine Battery's
GoPower Solar Elite System
2x Honda 2000's w/ 30 AMP Plug
2x145w Polycrystalline Solar Panels
EAZ-LIFT Weight Dist. Hitch
|
|
|
03-19-2013, 11:22 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: chandler, az
Posts: 197
|
solar charging
Here is a useful link
http://www.solar-electric.com/rvandsmbasoc.html
I installed a system in my trailer for about 500 and switched to 6v batteries as they have more amp ours and wired in series for 12v operation.
that was another 200. install time was about 3-4 hours. system is wired to the batteries via charge controller, again very simple. hardest part was hiding the wires from the roof, ended up routing down awning frame on side of trailer. also converted all lights to LED that really cut down power use a lot.
__________________
Shadow
189FDS
2012 Tundra 5.87 4x4
|
|
|
04-07-2013, 08:09 PM
|
#13
|
Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 76
|
Thanks Shadow for the link
|
|
|
04-08-2013, 05:49 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 3,106
|
I got one of these to maintain the battery in the pickup and the camper with the camper connected/wired to the pickup and the switch pulled out.
Works great IMHO to "maintain a charged battery when in storage" without overcharging.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...FSdgMgod11wAmQ
__________________
2012 Fun Finder XT 276 Toy Hauler & Harley Davidson Ultra Classic with Condor wheel chock
2014 Dodge Ram 2500 AT 4X4 Crew Cab 6.4 L Hemi, 373 gears, tow package, Rambox option, Revolver X2 tonneau cover, Equal-I-zer anti-sway hitch.
|
|
|
06-01-2013, 07:46 AM
|
#15
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1
|
Just bought a solar panel system that I want to mount to the top of my Fun Finder FX. Contacted Fun Finder to ask for a diagram, showing the wires located just under the roof, but what they sent was not usable (showed everything in the trailer, overlaid). Numerous requests for more specific data has been pretty much ignored.
Does anyone have a diagram or some advice?
Ours is the small one, 18 foot.
dellandlarry@verizon.net
THANKS
|
|
|
06-01-2013, 01:09 PM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: chandler, az
Posts: 197
|
if you know where the wires are in the interior of the trailer, energize them with 12v and use a higher end stud/wire finder to find them on the roof, much of the time they will run them up inside the vent for your fridge, pop the top off and take a look or look behind the fridge. ac/box is also done but not as common
__________________
Shadow
189FDS
2012 Tundra 5.87 4x4
|
|
|
06-02-2013, 07:25 PM
|
#17
|
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 31
|
We only do dry camping and have not plugged into mains power for 14 months now.
We have 400 watts in solar panels on the roof.
200 AH AGM batteries under the seats over the axles in the travel trailer plus
200 AH AGM batteries in the Jeep in addition to the starter battery.
Totalling 12 v 400AH house batteries.
The Jeep can charge all these via the Alternator or / and the Solar.
30 amp Solar Controller.
Fridge / Freezer/ cooking / hot water all run on propane a bottle lasts us about 8 days.
All LED lighting
We plan on buying a 2.5KVA $500.00 generator if we hit a long period when the sun don't shine.
__________________
__________________
Cheers Tony
244RBS Funfinder 2012
Jeep Grand Cherokee 3 ltr CRD
Australia
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|