Smegolas
Vancouver, BC
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Joined: 02/07/2006
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i have a 22' travel trailer with 2 deep cycle batteries. Im thinking of a solar panel - what should I be looking for? We go camping for a couple weeks at a time, or shorter.
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09FLSTC
Out West
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Joined: 02/26/2009
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Not an expert but I like Samlex products. Samlex Solar
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SCVJeff
Santa Clarita, CA.
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Joined: 07/28/2006
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AM Solar is the only way to go
Jeff - WA6EQU
'06 Itasca Meridian 34H, CAT C7/350
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RicJones
So. Cal.
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Joined: 10/29/2007
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The question is when you go camping do you camp in the shade where there lots of trees? If so solar isn't the way to go.
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Joined: 12/18/2004
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Hi Semgolas,
The rule of thumb for solar battery charging is a minimum of 60 watts and a maximum of 150 watts per 100 amp-hours of storage. There are reasons to use even higher wattages.
To see how my RV electrical system has evolved surf here:
Technology
and click on "solar boondocking".
Once you have added solar you will wonder why you didn't do it sooner!
Regards, Don
Kustom Koach Class C 28'5" 256 watts solar, 875 amp hours in two battery banks 12 volt batteries 2500 watt inverter.
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garym114
Bluff Dale, Texas
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Joined: 07/24/2006
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If you want solar to charge your batteries while you out for a week you need at least 120 watts. You will be disappointed with anything less.
My MH is here, with a 60 watt panel, no loads except the CO and LP detectors and the system slowly discharges. The loads are constant and solar charges only when there is sun.
2000 Sea Breeze F53 V10 - CR-V Toad
Some RV batteries live a long and useful life, most are murdered.
Get a Digital Multimeter and Learn How to Use It
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toolman1
Cerritos, CA.
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Joined: 07/10/2004
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pianotuna wrote:Hi Semgolas, Once you have added solar you will wonder why you didn't do it sooner!
X2. Friends we camp with, when visiting inside our MH, shake their heads in disbelief, that our charge controller is already displaying float level at 10AM. I just love the sound of my batteries being charged!!
These are the folks that helped me out.
See ya out there!!
Hooliville member #128
Gary & Lynne.
'04 Dolphin 5320 WH-22 370W Solar
22' Mighty Mover Trailer, 60W. Solar.
Sand Sprite 4. 2.3L EFI sand buggy
'04 Polaris Predator
'84 Jeep CJ.
2011 Black Lab "Lucy" for both of us 
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Joined: 12/18/2004
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Hi Garym114,
It sure sounds as if something else must be "on" in your RV.
My previous RV had only 30 watts of solar and it would fill the 250 amp-hours of batteries bursting full while the unit was in storage. There was no battery disconnect so the fridge and system monitors were always on.
Have you thought about connecting the solar charge controller directly to the batteries and having a battery disconnect switch for the loads?
* This post was
edited 03/11/10 10:58am by pianotuna *
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sonicsix
Jerry n' Cynthia
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Joined: 10/11/2008
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Your camper is about the same size as ours. Last year we decided to get solar and started doing our homework. AMSolar is nice but gee they are overpriced. Their biggest benefit is getting 100 watts in a skinny panel. As you already know, roof space is limited on a short camper.
We went with 2 Kyocera 135 watt panels as they were the highest wattage, name brand panel we could find that would fit in the space we had available. If you'd like to read about our installation and see pics of the install process, visit our site: http://rvroadtrip.us/library/solar_install.asp.
We sorted through a lot of information and flat out misinformation regarding solar. Some of the sites people on the forums refer you to are so outdated its downright funny. I guess they refer to them because "they always have". They do have good intentions, though. Maybe we can save you the trouble of trying to figure it all out... 
Full-Time RVing on a Budget || Our big list of mods! || Our Picture Gallery
2004 Gulf Stream 6236 24' Class C towing a 1999 Jeep Cherokee 4x4
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Smegolas
Vancouver, BC
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Joined: 02/07/2006
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thanks for the info guys. so if you install an inverter, does that plug into your electrical system so you get power from your ac outlets? or do you have to plug anything you need power for into the inverter directly?
and if you plug a generator or other power into your shore power plug will it still charge your batteries with this system like usual?
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