Quote:
Originally Posted by Diemenz
I was actually interested in going the solar route as well but the $3500 I was quoted made me balk as that price would buy me a nice generator and fuel it for quite some time.
|
Deciding to go solar is a multi-step process. I looked into a solar setup for a full time cabin, and came in much less than $3500. Here's what you need to do:
- Determine how much power you need. For example wanting to run A/C off solar isn't cost effective. But how big is your trailer, what applicances do you plan on using, and how long do you plan on dry camping.
- Find our where you can reduce your power use. The single biggest savings can be found by going to LED bulbs. There are other things you can do like if using a television going to a 12 volt model instead of a 120 volt TV and an inverter.
- See how much power you have right now, and how much more you need. For example I found that when I camp in the fall I tend to use around 10-15 amp hours per day. My battery is 100 amp hours, and with not wanting it to go below 50% that gives me 3-5 days out of my battery.
Now be conservative with your math. To replace those 10-15 amp hours I was going to buy a 100 watt panel. Now you might be thinking that would give me way more than I need, but here's where the losses come into play:
-100 watts is at ~20 volts. So 5 amps instead of 8.3 amps
-The charge controller takes those 5 amps @ 20 volts and gives you 5 amps of 13 volt power.
- Now only count on 3 hours of direct sun per day. Unless you want to spend the whole day moving and re-aiming your panel, you wouyld aim it at solar noon and count for 1.5 hours on each side.
- There's my 15 amp hours replaced. If it's a really sunny day I will get a few more hours at reduced amperage.
That all being said, I went out and bought a 40 watt panel. Why? Because it was cheap, and I really don't plan on dry camping more than 4 or 5 days in a row. So even at 5 days of 15 amp hours used, I am putting back 30 amp hours so my battery would be down to 55 amp hours remaining.
Now I do have a small trailer so it's easier to heat, and uses fewer lights. So my math won't work for everybody.
I will leave you with a link to the LED bulbs I am now buying; which use 1/10 the power of your regular bulbs:
LED Bulbs