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We have a ‘22 Aliner Classic with dormers and would like recommendations for a solar charger. We are new to camping with a trailer so I’m not sure what our real needs will be. We don’t plan to run the a/c but maybe the refrigerator, furnace? and coffee maker for a few days??I would like to install the panels on the rear dormer roof. I’m installing 2 golf cart batteries on the tongue for more capacity. We would rather not use a generator but that is a possibility. ?We’ve camped a few times in state parks and KOAs, always plugged in and would like a little more space, more like our tent camping sites. Sharing your knowledge would be appreciated.
Thanks,?
JoeS
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I use a victron charge controller for solar, it's a premium brand and performs as such.? All victron components are very reliable.
My current model is a 15/75 mppt with Bluetooth
Victron Energy BlueSolar MPPT 75V 15 amp 12/24-Volt Solar Charge Controller
Happy camping
On Sat, Jun 17, 2023 at 5:53 PM, JoeS via groups.io <joesears74@...> wrote: We have a ‘22 Aliner Classic with dormers and would like recommendations for a solar charger. We are new to camping with a trailer so I’m not sure what our real needs will be. We don’t plan to run the a/c but maybe the refrigerator, furnace? and coffee maker for a few days??I would like to install the panels on the rear dormer roof. I’m installing 2 golf cart batteries on the tongue for more capacity. We would rather not use a generator but that is a possibility. ?We’ve camped a few times in state parks and KOAs, always plugged in and would like a little more space, more like our tent camping sites. Sharing your knowledge would be appreciated.
Thanks,?
JoeS
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What are you using for panels and how many watts?
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I use two cheap 100 watt panels, joined together with a hinge and homemade legs out of PVC pipe.? Use it as portable that way I can move it to where the sun is - in case I park in the shade?
I also have 2- 50watt panels mounted to the front roof, but the portable are better for me - I had put the 50watt panels on first, if I did it again I wouldn't bother with the mounted panels.
So a total of 300 watts in a 24 volt configuration (panels in parallel so I can use smaller wire outside) the charge controller changes it to the 12 volt for the camper.
I use it mainly for a compressor fridge & freezer
I have a compressor fridge for day to day and a separate small compressor freezer (to freeze fish)
$72 a panel
HQST 100 Watt 12V Monocrystalline Solar Panel with Solar Connectors, High Efficiency Module PV Power for Battery Charging Boat, Caravan, RV and Any Other Off Grid Applications
On Sat, Jun 17, 2023 at 6:12 PM, JoeS via groups.io <joesears74@...> wrote: What are you using for panels and how many watts?
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Price update they are currently $67 a panel for the polycrytaline - I think the poly are better than mono on cloudy days
On Sat, Jun 17, 2023 at 9:32 PM, dan smartt via groups.io <dansm@...> wrote: I use two cheap 100 watt panels, joined together with a hinge and homemade legs out of PVC pipe.? Use it as portable that way I can move it to where the sun is - in case I park in the shade?
I also have 2- 50watt panels mounted to the front roof, but the portable are better for me - I had put the 50watt panels on first, if I did it again I wouldn't bother with the mounted panels.
So a total of 300 watts in a 24 volt configuration (panels in parallel so I can use smaller wire outside) the charge controller changes it to the 12 volt for the camper.
I use it mainly for a compressor fridge & freezer
I have a compressor fridge for day to day and a separate small compressor freezer (to freeze fish)
$72 a panel
HQST 100 Watt 12V Monocrystalline Solar Panel with Solar Connectors, High Efficiency Module PV Power for Battery Charging Boat, Caravan, RV and Any Other Off Grid Applications
On Sat, Jun 17, 2023 at 6:12 PM, JoeS via groups.io <joesears74@...> wrote: What are you using for panels and how many watts?
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Interesting that you would not put the panels on the roof if you were going to do it again. My thoughts were that the roof panels would charge the batteries while on the road (no charging from the TV). Your portable setup looks clean and simple. Nice.?
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Welcome to the world of Solar equipment.? There is lots of different types of solar panels. If your plan is to mount a panel on your dormer you might want to look
at something light weight like this?
Any panel that you install be it fixed or portable will also need a solar controller Like Dan was showing you in his post.? It will save your battery's from overcharging.
I use a :
It's nice to be able to move it around to get the most sun shine. But like you said nice to charge while traveling.? My battery would not last if I used just the battery to run the frig. while traveling all day.?
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There are 2 major types of solar controllers:? PWM and MPPT.? ?PWM are about $20 and MPPT are about $100.? An MPPT controller gives you about 25% more power than an PWM.? A 100 watt solar panel is 6 amps max so if you want 2 panels that requires a 15 or 20 Amp controller.? Just watch out some cheap mppt controllers are really pwm.? Read the reviews.
I would not put glass panels on top of your roof.? Too heavy.? Duct tape some weights to the roof that match the weight of a glass panel and see for yourself.
If you get plastic panels get ones which have the 25 year power guarantee.? When I checked a while ago those were hqst, renogy, and sun power.? The other plastic panels last only a couple years.
If you just use the trailer appliances like the furnace, fridge on propane, LED lights, water pump, and also cell phone charging, then a single 100 watt panel is all you need.
Some campgrounds are complete shade and if you go there you'll need a generator.? I'd recommend getting a small 900 or 1000 watt generator that runs on propane.? They used to sell cheap Ines like that and running on propane means you don't have to carry gasoline?
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I have to agree about flexible panels if you are mounting to the aliners. Just be aware they are not as efficient over the long haul as regular panels.? But the weight and ease of mounting makes a big difference.
The one thing to watch for is make sure the connections are on the front otherwise you can't flush mount the panels.? Some are on the back
I used eternabond tape, it's been holding the panel & wiring for me for 5 years without a problem.
On Sun, Jun 18, 2023 at 2:46 PM, Steve T <srtimm@...> wrote: There are 2 major types of solar controllers:? PWM and MPPT.? ?PWM are about $20 and MPPT are about $100.? An MPPT controller gives you about 25% more power than an PWM.? A 100 watt solar panel is 6 amps max so if you want 2 panels that requires a 15 or 20 Amp controller.? Just watch out some cheap mppt controllers are really pwm.? Read the reviews.
I would not put glass panels on top of your roof.? Too heavy.? Duct tape some weights to the roof that match the weight of a glass panel and see for yourself.
If you get plastic panels get ones which have the 25 year power guarantee.? When I checked a while ago those were hqst, renogy, and sun power.? The other plastic panels last only a couple years.
If you just use the trailer appliances like the furnace, fridge on propane, LED lights, water pump, and also cell phone charging, then a single 100 watt panel is all you need.
Some campgrounds are complete shade and if you go there you'll need a generator.? I'd recommend getting a small 900 or 1000 watt generator that runs on propane.? They used to sell cheap Ines like that and running on propane means you don't have to carry gasoline?
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Another good way to mount a flexible solar panel is to frame the perimeter of the panel with 1" aluminum angle, 1/16" thick, then mount two 1.5" aluminum angle, 1/8" thick, on the roof.? Then bolt the 1" angle to the 1.5" angle with carriage bolts and wing nuts.? That allows you to remove the panel from the trailer and place it further away, if that's where the sun is.
When you frame the panel, you also put an extra cross pice in the middle so the panel doesn't flutter in the wind.
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You're good Steve.? Thanks.? Jerry
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Thank you all for the feedback. I was seriously looking at the glass panels and hadn’t thought about the weight. Coming from over 40 years in maintenance at a steel mill I couldn’t tape the panel in place. That would not be “Mill duty.” I’ve always been a ‘planner’ so I’ll see how we really use our new camper before I make the solar investment, because I don’t want to have to do it twice. Thank you all again and I’ll keep you posted.
Joe
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To dan smartt:??
With the Victron Energy BlueSolar MPPT 75V 15 amp 12/24-Volt Solar Charge Controller that you are using do you have to program the controller with information on your battery as far as battery capacity,? number of amp hours, upper and lower limits for charging ( shut off of charge ), Battery Size etc.? Or is it plug and play like smart Battery Tenders with a float mode.
I need a new Solar Controller for my Renergy Energy 100 Watt Solar Suitcase.
Thanks for the information.
Jack
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Joe
We will be interested in what you decide. ?I have a 2020 Ranger 12 that has for a variety of reason been barely used. I have a 100w portable panel and I built an adjustable frame so I. Could put it in whatever sunlight I can find. ?It seems to
keep my battery topped off but I don’t use much power. ( fantastic fan, occasional furnace fan, interior led lights, phone charging, and not much more.). It is heavy and I would not want to put it on the Aliner. Besides I almost always find a shady spot to
park the camper. ?We are always off grid and like to sleep cooler. The frig runs on propane and I haven’t yet ( future project) installed a vent cooling fan.?
Keep us posted.?
Don
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Thank you all for the feedback. I was seriously looking at the glass panels and hadn’t thought about the weight. Coming from over 40 years in maintenance at a steel mill I couldn’t tape the panel in place. That would not be “Mill duty.” I’ve always been
a ‘planner’ so I’ll see how we really use our new camper before I make the solar investment, because I don’t want to have to do it twice. Thank you all again and I’ll keep you posted.
Joe
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You can either select by battery type (all the info will be filled out) or you can select custom and set your own parameters.??
But to access the settings you need the Bluetooth dongle (or the charge controller with Bluetooth built in) it is set in the phone app.??
The app is very useful and informative.?
On Fri, Jun 23, 2023 at 8:09 PM, Jack McWilliams via groups.io <jackoduc@...> wrote: To dan smartt:??
With the Victron Energy BlueSolar MPPT 75V 15 amp 12/24-Volt Solar Charge Controller that you are using do you have to program the controller with information on your battery as far as battery capacity,? number of amp hours, upper and lower limits for charging ( shut off of charge ), Battery Size etc.? Or is it plug and play like smart Battery Tenders with a float mode.
I need a new Solar Controller for my Renergy Energy 100 Watt Solar Suitcase.
Thanks for the information.
Jack
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On Sun, Jun 18, 2023 at 12:53 AM, JoeS wrote:
We don’t plan to run the a/c but maybe the refrigerator, furnace? and coffee maker for a few days??I
You would need a lot of batteries to run a refrigerator for a few days, at least 300 Ah. Lead-acid batteries would be way too heavy for an Aliner, and Li-ion batteries would be extremely expensive.? A modest sized battery might run a refrigerator overnight, if you used a generator in the daytime. Scott Ellington
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And there is the major problem with evaporative type refrigerators.
My Dometic pulls 14 Amps continuously. That's way over 150W all the
time.
My new Alpicool compressor type cooler pulls 2.5 Amps
intermittently. Duty cycle depends on ambient temperature. When it's
not above 80 degrees F, my little Jackery 240 W portable power pack
will run it for 3 days.
Alpicool CF45
Alpicool makes a dozen different sizes. Only the largest pull more
than 2.5 Amps
When my Dometic dies I will NOT spend $1,200 to $1,500 on a new one.
I'll spend maybe $500 to $600 on a pair of Alpicools, one for frig
and one for freezer, which will run off my battery for a couple
days.
Jackery 240
On 6/29/2023 12:30 PM, Scott Ellington
wrote:
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On Sun, Jun 18, 2023 at 12:53 AM, JoeS wrote:
We don’t plan to run the a/c but maybe the
refrigerator, furnace? and coffee maker for a few days??I
You would need a lot of batteries to run a refrigerator for a few
days, at least 300 Ah. Lead-acid batteries would be way too heavy
for an Aliner, and Li-ion batteries would be extremely expensive.?
A modest sized battery might run a refrigerator overnight, if you
used a generator in the daytime.
Scott Ellington
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And the only issue with compressor fridges vs. absorption/evaporative units is that they require AC or DC voltage to work: they won't run on propane.?
Dave .......?
And there is the major problem with evaporative type refrigerators.
My Dometic pulls 14 Amps continuously. That's way over 150W all the
time.
My new Alpicool compressor type cooler pulls 2.5 Amps
intermittently. Duty cycle depends on ambient temperature. When it's
not above 80 degrees F, my little Jackery 240 W portable power pack
will run it for 3 days.
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The propane fridges draw 14 amps in DC mode, but only 400 mA when using propane.??
A compressor fridge of the same size as our 3 cu ft propane fridges burns about 30 amp hours at 77 degrees in 24 hours, but burns 60 amp hours at 90 degrees in 24 hrs.? So a propane fridge struggles to keep cool, but a compressor fridge may drain your battery.??
Now it's not going to be 77 degrees all day long, and if it gets colder at night power consumption is significantly reduced.
A 100 watt solar panel can deliver about 30 amp hours a day in good sun, not being moved.
And then there's the dilemma that if you want to completely fill the hole left by the 3.0 cu ft propane fridge with a compressor fridge, you can fit a 4.5 cu ft compressor fridge in that spot, which draws yet more power.??
I was looking at Isotherm front loading fridges when I got these numbers.
Its not an easy choice picking a fridge.? I just got done with a 17 day camping trip, and went for 11 days before we had to reload the fridge, and we didn't resort to freeze dried or canned stuff.? But that 4.5 cu ft fridge sure looks nice . . .
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On Thu, Jun 29, 2023 at 12:02 PM, John Burch wrote:
And there is the major problem with evaporative type refrigerators.
My Dometic pulls 14 Amps continuously. That's way over 150W all the time.
My new Alpicool compressor type cooler pulls 2.5 Amps intermittently. Duty cycle depends on ambient temperature. When it's not above 80 degrees F, my little Jackery 240 W portable power pack will run it for 3 days.
Alpicool CF45
Alpicool makes a dozen different sizes. Only the largest pull more than 2.5 Amps
When my Dometic dies I will NOT spend $1,200 to $1,500 on a new one. I'll spend maybe $500 to $600 on a pair of Alpicools, one for frig and one for freezer, which will run off my battery for a couple days.
Jackery 240
On 6/29/2023 12:30 PM, Scott Ellington wrote:
On Sun, Jun 18, 2023 at 12:53 AM, JoeS wrote:
We don’t plan to run the a/c but maybe the refrigerator, furnace? and coffee maker for a few days??I
You would need a lot of batteries to run a refrigerator for a few days, at least 300 Ah. Lead-acid batteries would be way too heavy for an Aliner, and Li-ion batteries would be extremely expensive.? A modest sized battery might run a refrigerator overnight, if you used a generator in the daytime.
Scott Ellington
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I recommend the Victron Smart Solar Charge controllers over the Blue Solar.? The Smart Solar Variety has Bluetooth built in.? Blue Solar requires a Dongle To Communicate with the Victron Connect App.
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Don Mackay
Eugene Breindel