Solar Power While Boondocking

rmgolfcourse · Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 6:03 pm Post subject: Solar Power While Boondocking

Get some FREE juice from the Sun

While you're boondocking, an ideal way to keep those batteries up is solar panels. Of course, the more you spend, the better, bigger and more charge you get from them. If you have the money and can afford a few nice roof mounted solar panels, the initial cost can set you back, but it's like money in the bank because you'll reap the savings for a long time. At my golf course, I have several solar lights, the small type along walkways, and it amazes me how they burn all night for free, from the day's daylight charge.

I replaced the Nicad batteries in mine with NiMH batteries. They seem to hold a charge longer. The NiMH batteries can be bought at Wal-Mart for less than $10 for 4 of the AA size. I have $20 solar battery chargers on each of my golf carts off season and they keep the batteries up to charge. If you live near a Harbor Freight, they have a selection of cheap solar chargers. Here's the link to the Harbor Freight website for their cheap $20 solar battery charger:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=44768
I think they have about 35 solar products, even big solar panels too. I'm sure most everyone knows that it's important to keep your batteries charged. I think I read somewhere that everytime your battery drains completely, you cut its life in half.
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mtwoman · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 5 Location: Kansas

TOTALLY agree with you regarding the use of solar panels while boondocking! Why have the noise, fumes, and explosive fuels sitting around for generator use? Wind would be good; but not in my situation. I am "permanently" parked on our property in a 20', travel trailer, at 10,300 ft in altitude, in the CO Rockies -- no electricity or phone; carry in my water; carry out my waste; have 2, 12V marine batteries; and 2, 30 lb propane tanks. I recharge my batteries, while "camping" with 3 solar panels - a 15W, 18W and the $20.00 solar panel from Harbor Freight (think it's a 1.5W). I don't use the lights in my trailer, as yet (bought the 15W solar panel this winter), but the water pump, indicator lights, and something in the refrig. uses up the "power". CAN'T WAIT UNTIL SUMMER!! xo Very Happy

minerz · Joined: 24 Nov 2006 Posts: 43 Location: McCAMMON, IDAHO

I have two 125 watt solar panels on a frame that tracks the sun all day and keeps tracking all night so it is in the sun's face the next morning for full power. 10 storage batteries, all adjusted with a hand-held remote. This outfit is on a frame made for RVs or remote cabins or just anywhere you need power. Yes it was a bit spendy, but for dry camping or boondocking it's great. One unit will run about 800 sq. ft. Just thought I would throw that at you. Have a good day.
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97 STROKER, CHIPPED, BIG EXHAUST, GAUGES, EXHAUST BRAKE, TRANS COOLER, ELECTRIC WIND DEFLECTOR
30 FT CHEROKEE WITH AUTO-TRACKING SOLAR, STORAGE SYSTEM, GENERATOR BACKUP. BEEN CAMPING AND RVING SINCE 1970.

itsmewendylee · Joined: 04 Jan 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Cleveland, OH

I am going to be showing my ignorance here. Embarassed

I have a lot to learn about how everything in an RV works, including the power! DH and I are looking to buy a hybrid within the next month or so and join the RV world this season. This thread got me curious, though.

We have a gaggle of kids involved in Irish and Scottish cultural activites which means travel all over for dance competitions and bagpipe competitions. Some highland games and festivals allow what I guess you would call boondocking or dry camping in their parking lots. We hope to take advantage of that. In most cases it would be for only one night and day.

Here's my question. Is it possible to collect enough power via wind or solar energy to run the fridge and A/C? That and maybe a little light at night is all we'd need. No need for the TV, microwave or anything else. I know the A/C probably uses enormous amounts of power! But I've been at games where the temp was nearly 100 degrees with 90% humidity, we were outside all day, and I would have shaved a year off of the end of my life just to be able to escape into the air between competitions!

The hybrids we are looking at would have an A/C between 12,000-14,000 BTU. Probably wouldn't run it continuously, just during a mid-day break...

If it is possible, would the set-up be expensive and/or complicated? If it's a viable option, I'd consider having a set-up installed when we bought the RV right along with the dealer-installed air.

Thanks!
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elh3946 · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 1650 Location: Sioux Falls, SD

itsmewendylee · Joined: 04 Jan 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Cleveland, OH

Thanks for the reply- I kinda figured that might be the case! Mr. Green

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minerz · Joined: 24 Nov 2006 Posts: 43 Location: McCAMMON, IDAHO

I agree fully with these folks. The auto tracking solar system I have is a bit spendy. It cost me around $4500.00 to get it up and fully running. I installed it myself in a kit form. Unlike you folks when my wife and I dry camp, we want the air, TV, micro, and all the rest ready to go. We also pack a 3000 watt generator but rarely use it. I just like the quiet, and we leave our 5er up to three weeks in one spot so when we leave it we can be assured that we have plenty of power. About all we do here in Idaho is dry camp. We pack two extra propane tanks so when we leave, we are running on full tanks. I find it pretty hard to enjoy nature and the elk bugling if I have the generator running. I love this system and would not be out in the woods without it, but if you can't justify the cost, then I do not think it is worth it. I figure this is a one-time buy, because I can move it from trailer to trailer when we buy a new 5er, and the only thing I have to invest in is the base for the new trailer. In fact we just moved it from our old 5er, a 99 TS, to our current 05 Cherokee DS.
Happy camping.
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BILL AND CLAUDIA
97 STROKER, CHIPPED, BIG EXHAUST, GAUGES, EXHAUST BRAKE, TRANS COOLER, ELECTRIC WIND DEFLECTOR
30 FT CHEROKEE WITH AUTO-TRACKING SOLAR, STORAGE SYSTEM, GENERATOR BACKUP. BEEN CAMPING AND RVING SINCE 1970.

nailbender · Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 1

Don't mean to hijack this thread here, but you're on a topic that I need to learn more about. My wife and I are relatively new to RVing; this'll be our 3rd year. Looking into using solar panels for our extended dry camping vacations. I'm looking at getting about an 80 watt or so output, but is it better to get 1 large panel, or should I get several smaller panels that add up to the wattage that I want? I read somewhere that batteries charge faster if several smaller solar panels are used rather than 1 large panel.
What are your thoughts on this?
By the way, we'll be running 2, possibly 3 deep cycle batteries on our rig.

jerryriverguy · Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 57 Location: Could be anywhere

It won't make much difference whether you have several small or a few larger panels when all are in full sun. More smaller panels might be easier to fit around obstructions on the roof, but you need to tilt panels except in the summer, so more work if they are all manual tilt and more expense if auto tilt. I have 2 120s on the roof that tilt and swivel plus an 80 on a tether cord on the ground for finding sunny spots. Works great most of the year. More info at my web site.

Happy trails
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minerz · Joined: 24 Nov 2006 Posts: 43 Location: McCAMMON, IDAHO

That is why mine are on a frame, and with a hand-held remote there is no climbing on the roof. Just take the hand-held remote. First button raises panels to 45 degrees. Second button spins panels to put in the face of the sun and then the auto-tracker will track the sun all day, and continue to track at night while running on the storage system to be in the face of the sun the next morning. I have had flat panels and they are great for about three hours a day when they are in full sun. Mine are in full sun from daylight till dark unless it's cloudy. I don't like having to climb to adjust and I don't like panels all over my roof. So the two 130s I have with the 3000 watt modified sine wave work good. If you want anymore information on this unit send me a good email address to minerz@ida.net or you can call me at 208-254-3744 and I will send you all the info I have on it. Thanks Bill. Have a good day. Happy camping.
_________________
BILL AND CLAUDIA
97 STROKER, CHIPPED, BIG EXHAUST, GAUGES, EXHAUST BRAKE, TRANS COOLER, ELECTRIC WIND DEFLECTOR
30 FT CHEROKEE WITH AUTO-TRACKING SOLAR, STORAGE SYSTEM, GENERATOR BACKUP. BEEN CAMPING AND RVING SINCE 1970.

jeffbrom · Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 2

Minerz,
Would you be willing to share with us as to who manufactures your tracking/tilting solar mount? I haven't seen one of these for RVs yet.
Any info would be helpful. Thanks.
Jeff

minerz · Joined: 24 Nov 2006 Posts: 43 Location: McCAMMON, IDAHO

Jeff,
If you want to send me a good email address to minerz@ida.net I will be more than happy to send you all the information I have on this unit. You can also call me at 208-254-3744. Thanks Bill Meiners.
_________________
BILL AND CLAUDIA
97 STROKER, CHIPPED, BIG EXHAUST, GAUGES, EXHAUST BRAKE, TRANS COOLER, ELECTRIC WIND DEFLECTOR
30 FT CHEROKEE WITH AUTO-TRACKING SOLAR, STORAGE SYSTEM, GENERATOR BACKUP. BEEN CAMPING AND RVING SINCE 1970.

CircleL · Joined: 30 Jul 2008 Posts: 3 Location: Woodland Hills, CA

Does anyone think that the 45 watt solar charger from Harbor Freight would work to recharge the batteries for our 22' travel trailer? I don't want to spend the bucks for a generator. We will have two 12v batteries and will be camping for 7 days.
Thanks a bunch.

jerryriverguy · Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 57 Location: Could be anywhere

CircleL: If your only electrical use is 12v lights, you can probably get by with the 45 watt panel.

Happy trails
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Author: The Fifth Wheel Bible
2004 Colorado 27RL
2006 Dodge 2500 CDT, 4x4, longbed, auto

web site http://www.jerryriverguy.com

CircleL · Joined: 30 Jul 2008 Posts: 3 Location: Woodland Hills, CA

Thanks Jerryriver guy,
Follow up: we went on our vacation and it was 5 days. I had two 6v golf cart batteries. We don't use TV or computers or anything like that. It's a vacation! Only used light when needed and only hooked up our 45w solar panels on the last two days, but I don't think we really had to. I just wanted to top the batteries off and try it since I dragged them out there. The readout said 12 from the controller for the panels when hooked up. They are large but I made a canvas storage bag that fit all three panels where I store them in the trailer. I also would just move them on the ground since they come with a stand and would aim it toward the sun. Overall, I was happy to never have used a generator that our friends brought for us just in case.