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.

 

 

Solar Power!

With all the boondocking I've been doing, I have been using my Honda 2000 generator daily, which did the job for me. But, I had to take it out of the truck box, haul it to the back of the 5^th wheel, gas it up and yank on the cord a few times to get it to start. I had to have smelly gas cans in the back of the truck. When I was done, had to get it back up on the truck tailgate and back to the truck box to get it in there. Not much fun. Plus, I had to listen to the noise for an hour or so every day.

I met a solo female Rver in Yuma last month. She had just bought a solar panel kit in Quartzsite, Arizona - 160 watts, 2 panels on a hinge with brackets to stand it up. It came in a nylon zipper bag, complete with controller. She was happy with it. I saw her again near Thermal, California a few weeks ago and we discussed solar again, among other things. 

When I got here in Quartzsite, I visited the two solar panel shops. I decided on a similar unit, but only 120 watts, with a digital controller that tells me battery level, how much is being input and how much my rig is drawing. It's a little smaller than the one my friend had, and mine came with a molded case, which gives it a little more protection than the fabric bag. 

I've been using it almost a week now. I leave it where it will get the most sun, usually full sun by 11 AM. By about 3 or 4 o'clock, my controller is telling me that the battery is full. I bought a little inverter so I can charge my camera batteries, computer and phone. I could even watch TV if I wanted to.  I don't worry about lights being on and I can listen to the stereo as much as I want now.    As a bonus, I don't have to listen to a generator making noise!

There's only one thing I have not gotten used to with boondocking. When I fix a meal and I need to warm something up, sometimes I forget I'm not connected. I have it all on a plate, ready to go in the microwave and raise my hand to open the door and notice the screen is blank – no power. Oh, yeah. I didn't get an inverter large enough for that, which is fine with me. I lived on a boat for 10 years with no microwave, and I got along fine without it all that time, but I've been spoiled living on land again.

Meanwhile, I've been enjoying boondocking and the quiet since I don't have the generator on anymore.