Monday, April 27, 2015

Solar!!


 
 
For those of you who may have read my previous blog about the solar panels, I purchased a few months ago in Quartzite, I'd like to update my opinion about their performance. I have had the opportunity to boondock for multiple days at a time, most recently for about 2 weeks.

I purchased a set of 2, on a hinge, with the controller built in on the back. The controller tells me the battery level, what's being input and any power usage at that time. The two panels total 120 watts, although there are units available in different sizes, both smaller and larger. I have the largest marine heavy duty wet battery I could buy that would fit in my 5th wheel.

I just spent 12 days at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada, with no hookups. The panels were out every day and kept the battery topped off each day. Well, all except for one day that was total overcast, so the panels didn't have a chance to get any sun at all. The day after that was mostly sunny, with a few clouds moving by, but the panels had the battery topped off by about 4 PM that day.

I am very happy with the performance of these panels, since they top off the battery every day unless there is total cloud cover. I do have LED lights for the most part, but I have been able to use the stereo, use my inverter to charge the computer, phone, camera batteries and my eReader. I have also been in other boondocking areas for several days where I was also able to watch TV, as well as doing all the other charging. I can do all this without worrying about my battery level. And all this is without the noise of a generator and the extra problem of carrying gas.

I am so extremely pleased with this setup that I am thinking of selling my Honda EU2000 generator. Meanwhile, I might hang onto it for a while longer. Of course, I'll have to put up with taking it out and starting it every so often.

Depending on how you boondock and what appliances and electric draw you have, results will vary. I don't have a blender, toaster or other small kitchen appliances to use my power.  I don't use a hair dryer or curler, which would require lots of power.  If you have lots of power-hungry equipment, you'll get different results and will need more than what I have. I have seen RVs with way more solar panels than I have, so they must have heavy usage. For the way I live, which is very comfortable for me, this is all I need.
 

 

4 comments:

  1. How much weight did they add, and what amount of drag do you experience while on the highway?

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    1. I didn't want anything mounted on my roof for multiple reasons. What I got was a kit, 2 small panels on a hinge that folds up into a case when not in use. The brand is Zamp - they have different size panels with different wattages. Makes a big difference when you're boondocking.

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  2. I think a lot of people tend to go overboard on their solar partly because they really don't understand what it can and can't be used for realistically. Sounds like you have a good set-up for you.

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    1. For me, this is working out perfectly, especially since the fridge is propane. Of course, I don't have a freezer, washer/dryer and satellite TV like lots of people who have the roofs covered in panels! Also, from living on the boat, I know how to conserve. I don't have to conserve unless it gets very cloudy for days.

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