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Old 01-15-2021, 03:05 PM   #41
twvette
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Long Term update: Been about four years since started dealing with this so figured would give a long term update.

Hopefully don't jinx myself but have had no real issues dry camping (or plugged in) and thoroughly enjoy this setup now. Have not noticed much if any degradation of power from the solar or battery output.

The only couple things that are still somewhat annoying is that still have to reset the satellite TV system on occasion and this is even with it being plugged into a separate dedicated UPS (albeit a small one but still really helps) as satellite receivers just don't like noise or even quick voltage changes it seems. It is also not really practical to run the big microwave as will typically trip a breaker after a minute or so. Not great on the inverter or batteries in general so we still just fire up the generator for microwave use.

Even with as big of a system as this is we still typically run the generator for an hour or so to recover from heater use/refrigerator at night and the same before going to bed. Will say that you still have the variable of cloudy days in which still might need several hours of generator use and in the winter months here just don't get a lot in general (especially since mine are not tilt mounts) due to short daylight hours. Overall though this is very manageable as typically just remember to run it a bit during each meal time when fire up the generator for microwave use anyways. No longer carry an external generator as just don't really need it but that is always an option too.

I almost never let the batteries get below 50%and am very OCD about this. Also frequently (monthly) filling them with a watering kit. When not using the hauler it is kept on ac power so floats at 100%. I now realize how critical all this is and I think this proper maintenance really shows. I need to get better at running the battery equalization process but that is a bit of a nerve racking thing so have only done it once and I have settled on needing to do it at least once a year in my case or better every 6 months.

You just cant beat a residential fridge! Many of my friends struggle with their gas ones with failures and/or just not keeping stuff cold, especially as they put the larger ones in now. It is strange that I don't think many if any are putting residential into toy haulers now, but yet many class C's and A's they are now the standard offering.

Was hoping lithium batteries would be cheaper by now but I think increasing demand has kept prices up. I would go that route today if doing this all over again but that is a much bigger cost to absorb (at least short term).
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Old 01-15-2021, 07:49 PM   #42
Vinnie
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A note on the "what fridges now" point- my Fuzion 429 came with a Norcold electric/propane switchable fridge, which is really big and pretty, and hopefully behaves as good as it looks. No ice maker though.

The half-wit dealer I bought it from included two little compact car batteries- one hooked to the 12v system, and one specifically to start the Cummins Onan generator. I would love to do the big battery and solar thing like you, but that stuff is so far over my head, I clearly have a lot of learning to do!
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Old 01-16-2021, 07:56 AM   #43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vinnie View Post
A note on the "what fridges now" point- my Fuzion 429 came with a Norcold electric/propane switchable fridge, which is really big and pretty, and hopefully behaves as good as it looks. No ice maker though.

The half-wit dealer I bought it from included two little compact car batteries- one hooked to the 12v system, and one specifically to start the Cummins Onan generator. I would love to do the big battery and solar thing like you, but that stuff is so far over my head, I clearly have a lot of learning to do!
I only got one battery for everything the first trip to Quartzsite with the 311 and the smallest fifer toyhuler keystone made. I had to purchase a Champion 2000 generator. I carried that around for 2 years and worked very good , quite generator around 10 pm all generations off In all parks I visited. My rving buddy has solar and got me into it. I went on line researching solar equipment for RVs . I didn’t buy the most expensive around mid price and ended up with two 250 panels , 80 amp charger , 3000 watt inverter, three AGM 115 AH. I did all the work and design . I have it wired 2 breakers one for all the plugs and 1 breaker for the 3 amp refrigerator . I leave it on auto even with my small 3 amp frig my system is to small to run 24/7. I wired and 3 amp fuse directly to the battery the meter has volt ,amp and temp gage. I look at the meter while using the toaster and think O My!
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Old 01-17-2021, 08:24 AM   #44
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Wow - this thread makes my head hurt! We have used the standard RV refer (propane/electric) for years and never had a problem. All of this work was to have a "residential" refer and an ice maker? Not for me!

We boondock regularly in Arizona to take out our Can Am Maverick Sport XRC - see my signature. We have two standard 12V batteries and an on-board generator. We had the dealer install a 190W solar system and 2000W inverter for the TV and DW's sewing machine (she's a quilter). It all works great - we run the generator once or twice a day to make coffee and charge the batteries. Easy-peasy & done.
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Old 01-21-2021, 08:10 AM   #45
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Keystone website and the manual that came with ours clearly states they don't come with any battery, It is totally up to the dealer what you get if any.
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