Solar or Second Battery?

mfifield01 · 07-08-2016, 06:53 AM

I'm looking at doing a trip out to Big Bend in October. The primitive road side sites don't allow generator usage, so I need additional power. I'm thinking I will only camp for 2 days. I feel that one battery will last one day, so I'm thinking about options for the second day. Solar could be a good option, but a second battery would be cheaper. Any thoughts?

**chuckster57** · 07-08-2016, 12:02 PM

Second battery would help, question is how old is the original battery? Not a good idea to hook a new battery to one that has been in service for a while, so you may be looking at buying two batteries.

Is that cheaper than solar? Probably not. You could also just hook up to your TV and run the engine to charge the battery. How, long you need to run the engine will depend on how discharged the battery is, how many amps the alt produces at idle, and some other things I'm not thinking of right now.

mfifield01 · 07-08-2016, 01:28 PM

The battery is probably 9-10 months old.

I've thought of creative ways to charge, but don't know if I'll go that route. I could take my battery out of my TT and put in the bed of the truck. Then, I could run my generator and charge while driving around the park.

**chuckster57** · 07-08-2016, 02:44 PM

IMO 9-10 months old is long enough that I wouldn't add a fresh battery to the mix.

mfifield01 · 07-08-2016, 05:16 PM

I'm leaning against adding a second battery. I don't want to add any hitch weight if possible and I'll only need it about twice a year.

I'm leaning towards a foldable solar setup, but it's hard to justify for the limited usage.

bsmith0404 · 07-08-2016, 05:46 PM

You never know what the weather will be when you stop for a couple days. How efficient are the solar systems if it's overcast and raining? I look at that type of system as a backup, not a primary to depend on.

mfifield01 · 07-08-2016, 05:54 PM

From what I've read, they seem to put out about 20% when overcast.

I have a 3100w Champion inverter generator, but they have limitations in Big Bend.

bsmith0404 · 07-08-2016, 05:55 PM

Is 20% enough?

mfifield01 · 07-08-2016, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

Is 20% enough?

Depends on the panels you purchase, but probably not. I was looking at a foldable 100w setup.

Supergrover · 07-08-2016, 08:30 PM

I would recommend solar AND 2 batteries.
Where we live powered sites are booked solid 3 months in advance. We often camp with friends in unserviced group sites. I always brought a small generator and spend a big part of the weekend annoying everyone else with the noise. My friend has had a 160w panel on his roof as long as we've camp with them, and I am always jealous of his ability to have power all weekend, 3 4 or 5 days, without any stress.
This year, I bought a 2016 Bullet, and added the same GoPower panel and regulator to it that my friend has and after last weekend (4days unserviced) of half sun, half cloud , with a bit of rain mixed in, I never wanted for power. Ran the outdoor speakers pretty much all weekend, kids watched movies when they wanted to. Didn't ration the lights inside (bulbs, leds arrived by mail this week) side note GET L.E.D.s!!!!
Anyway, I'm so sold on Solar I'll tell anyone who will listen. Cost me less than $1000 installed so I figure I'll have this rig 10 yrs @ $90/yr I'll save in site fees alone but the options it opens up to camp wherever I want serviced or not changes the whole game for me.

denverpilot · 07-08-2016, 08:35 PM

Battery. It's all about how many amps you're going to draw vs how many you have chemically stored. You can't count on it being a sunny day. Solar is gravy on top of storage capacity.

mfifield01 · 07-11-2016, 06:03 AM

After this discussion and research, I know my best option. Unfortunately, I don't want to add 70-80 lbs to the hitch weight. My best option would be 2 - 6v batteries from Costco. They're around $85 each and would give me roughly 230 amps. Not sure what I'll do at this point.

Mike484 · 07-11-2016, 06:20 AM

Solar or second battery, is this only for the 12 volt? Does thsi mean you cannot use anything that is 120 volt?

mfifield01 · 07-11-2016, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike484

Solar or second battery, is this only for the 12 volt? Does thsi mean you cannot use anything that is 120 volt?

I've boondocked once before in the winter. I have a 200/400w pure sine inverter located in the entertainment area. I can plug the television, FireTV, etc. into it. The only things that I wouldn't be able to use are the A/C, microwave, and coffee maker. Everything else should be covered.

Mike484 · 07-11-2016, 06:43 AM

Is this inverter something you added or is the converter also an inverter?

I only ask this because I'm learning. I had thought I couldnt run the A/C on anything but 30 amp service. I did find out though that I can run it on 15 amp but have to turn it off while useing anything else. Of course the refrigerator and water heater are both on gas if all I have is 15 amp. Finding this out opened more doors for me as I thought I had to bring our generator with us any time we need A/C and couldnt get 30 amp service.

mfifield01 · 07-11-2016, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike484

Is this inverter something you added or is the converter also an inverter?

I only ask this because I'm learning. I had thought I couldnt run the A/C on anything but 30 amp service. I did find out though that I can run it on 15 amp but have to turn it off while useing anything else. Of course the refrigerator and water heater are both on gas if all I have is 15 amp. Finding this out opened more doors for me as I thought I had to bring our generator with us any time we need A/C and couldnt get 30 amp service.

The inverter is different from converter. It does the exact opposite. It takes 12v and inverts to 120v. Not sure how much detailed information you want, but a Pure Sine Wave inverter is much better on electronics.

You pretty much need the generator or 30 amp hookups for the A/C. You can't use the battery to power it. The amperage of the hookups can be less, but that's another conversation.

darrylwt · 07-11-2016, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfifield01

I'm looking at doing a trip out to Big Bend in October. The primitive road side sites don't allow generator usage, so I need additional power. I'm thinking I will only camp for 2 days. I feel that one battery will last one day, so I'm thinking about options for the second day. Solar could be a good option, but a second battery would be cheaper. Any thoughts?

I say both!

Mike484 · 07-11-2016, 10:26 AM

Yes, I do know the difference between inverter and converter, my question was if the trailers are rigged with both or just the converter and you had to add the inverter.

And, I know there is no way to run the A/C off of battery power regardless of inverter or not (unless you install an inverter that cost much more than a generator which defeats its purpose and the batteries couldnt keep up anyway), I was more curious about the other 120 volt items such as the TV.

And by the way, you dont have to have 30 amp for the A/C, I have a 15,000 BTU and it can be ran with 15 amp, but, you have to turn it off to run anything else such as the microwave or coffee pot. I know this for a fact because I have already done it.

mfifield01 · 07-11-2016, 11:39 AM

It doesn't come with an inverter. This is the one I purchased: https://www.amazon.com/MicroSolar-30...solar+inverter

I ran a dedicated 20 amp line in my garage for my A/C. Like you mentioned, I turn everything else off.

Mike484 · 07-11-2016, 11:48 AM

I have a 750 watt inverter I bought years ago and it just sits in the garage. I was thinking about maybe installing it on the trailer as a backup in case I need 120 volt and didnt have it. I will probably just put it in the cargo area with my tools. Only thing is, I would have to run an extension cord any time I use it, would be nice if it was in line where the 120 volt wall plugs in the trailer could be used.

Where did you install yours at?

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