Solar conversion questions

[prophetdaniel2]

     So in contemplating the conversion to solar, I am wondering if I will need to completely replace the existing power converter/inverter thingy (don't know the correct name) that swaps from coach battery to generator, to shore power?
     Or does the new battery bank/solar setup simply replace the generator alone and I manually switch over to it when I need to? That seems simpler to me honestly.
     I will probably only need a single good battery for the level of camping I do, plus the long Alaska days will help out. I guess I could always add an additional battery as needed.
     I will probably add an additional smaller solar panel to trickle charge the existing coach battery just for fun, plus get a cigarette plug dashboard unit for the engine battery as well. Why not?
     
     Another question: If I wanted to add a second coach battery to the existing setup, would I run it in series or parallel? would I need some type of additional voltage regulation unit?

Thanks guys!
Full sail ahead!
-D

[John Eversoll]

Come on guys let's get an answer for Dan!!!! I wana know too.. John E.

[Horst]

Electrical dunce here - be warned...

If you're going solar (as in  hard core solar) - you'll need a fairly high powered inverter, some sort of regulator doohickie, and a few big "strong" batteries, usually hooked up together, along with some good quality panels. Not cheap.
If all you want to do is use solar to refresh your house batteries, you can do that easily and cheaply by getting a smallish free standing panel that has a simple over-charge protection device built in, and hooking it directly to your house batteries . Most smaller systems come with pretty good instructions, etc.

[mccammonds]

Leave your existing house wiring intact. Your solar panel should feed into a controller then to your existing house battery.    Off your existing battery you will want to intall an inverter to change your 12v to AC.  Figure out your usage then buy an inverter that is quite a bit bigger.  Your batteries are figured the same way.    If you do not plan on using more electricity than you have been using and your existing battery is holding up then it is enough.   I use two big 6 volt L-16 Trojan batteries.   Of course with the 6 volt they are in seres to make the 12 volt.

[prophetdaniel2]

Okay, thanks for the replys!

Lets see if I have this straight:
solar panels to controller
controller to battery(ies)
battrey(ies) to Inverter
inverter to existing coach battery cables (or an upgrade)

I think I got it!
-D

[mccammonds]

The output from the inverter will be 120 volts AC

[phjak]

You won't be able to get the needed information to do the job right from the limited responses on the web.  I lived in a cabin for ten years using solar panels and no power lines.  I also have had a 100 watt panel on my clipper for a couple of years but took it off because I was never able to mount it properly so the roof wouldn't leak.  You will need more than a 100 watts to keep your batteries charged.  A couple of golf cart batteries will probably get you through a weekend but that's about it and that's assuming you are using propane for the refrigerator. If you are going to undertake this, I suggest you go to the library or a bookstore and check out what you can find on solar power. You really need to educate yourself to do the job right.  I doubt that you will be able to install much more than a minimum system for less than $1500.  I wish you luck.

[JerryT]

I agree with phjak. Also I read that you must leave an air space under the solar panel for cooling because of how hot they get. Solar is good for some people and their camping style but not mine. No foreseen payback and a lot of extra stuff to buy/mount/wire/maintain and it's almost never pointing at the sun like it should. My genset uses 1/3 of a gallon per hour so it would cost me $2 to to run it a couple of hours now and then to charge the battery, and I already own the generator. I don't like the noise but it is quiet a few dozen feet away. Sunshine is the only NEW thing on earth every day, I hope science can one day take full advantage of that gift.
JerryT

[John Eversoll]

 Hi Jerry,  question ... since the whole question was about solar ... right... Does this mean that
a 750 watt  power converter would not be enough to power the coach refridge.... and others...??
I am a wizzard DUNCE on electical.
  John E.

[prophetdaniel2]

Thanks for the insight friends!

The output from the inverter will be 120 volts AC

Hmmmm....I see....so does this mean that the inverter needs to tie in to the romex where the generator would have been, and leave the Battery(ies) wired as stock?

Thanks again!
-D

[JerryT]

Hi John
MY original Dometic RM66E has a 140 watt heating element for A/C operation. So 140 X 3 = 420. A 500 watt inverter should run it nicely, but let me tell you it will drain a battery in short order with out the engine running. I use a 2500 watt inverter and have it wired into the whole coach, I just don't turn on the air but it will run the fan part.
JerryT 

[JerryT]

Hi D
Yes, you could wire it that way with one exception, you would have to turn off your converter when the inverter is on or you would be in a loop. The inverter's taking 12 volts and is making 120 volts while at the same time the converter is taking the newly made 120 volts and trying to re-charge the battery with freshly converted 12 volts. I had mine that way for awhile -BUT- I could not remember to click that damn breaker every time!!! So I wired in a relay that cuts the power to it when the inverter is on, all happy now
JerryT

[John Eversoll]

Jerry T, when I read this it makes sence, But when I try to tackle something like this I am just lost..

I guess I will just wait and have somebody with electricle intelegence do it for me.  That way I wont be looking in my side mirror at a bunch of flames...................

John

[dboling]

I was looking at solar the other day, I found a kit on ebay I liked. it was 130 watt panel, 200+ watt controller with an inverter for around $600. and has a 25 year warranty.

I thought about making a mount to hold about 3 panels with and electric motor.
The idea was to mount it on top of the Clipper and when parked raise them with the electric motor. when raised they would be kind of pyramid shaped. that way no matter where the sun was I'd be charging my batteries.

The problem is solar panels are BIG and there isn't a lot of roof space for them.