DiskDoctr
PA
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Joined: 05/29/2006
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After a few years of medical hiatus, moving camper to a semi-permanent spot on our property. Looking for reasonable setup to keep our 4x 6v golf cart batteries topped up.
Usage will be 1-3 days about 3-4 times per month. We will have a generator available if we take it.
Topping off batteries after we leave or if we are away for a month or two is the goal.
It is on top of high hill in SW Pennsylvania, so looking at solar.
Don't want to get the wrong "trickle charger" that kills the batteries prematurely. Also don't want to be required to stay extra (few hours?) to run generator after a stay, or require a "service trip" just to charge up batteries.
We would run off generator and/or 2k inverter from batteries during out stay, likely run coffee maker, microwave, etc in am and eve, which also runs our 4 stage charger.
Winter usage as well, so propane fridge and RV furnace that uses the energy gobbling fan. Likely an internet link and remote camera setup for security will run 24/7
2005 Cougar 33BHS
Thanks in advance.
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Matt_Colie
Southeast Michigan
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Joined: 10/09/2011
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Well Doc,
The only real thing to consider is how much you want to spend.
The problem is that the 1~3 Days 3~4 times a month looks a lot like continues to the house bank. If the 3 days comes right after the other 3 days, that is really tough for the sun to make up.
Were I in your place, I would start with as much PV on the roof as you can justify. Then shop the market for charge controllers. Those will be your not-so-secret weapon here. There are two basic types: Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) and the industry-standard Pulse Width Modulation (PWM).
All of these are better than they were when I was working this market. If I was to try to recommend, the model would be obsolete by now. There are many that will do a good job of changing without damaging the bank.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie
A sailor, his bride and their black dogs (one dear dog is waiting for us at the bridge) going to see some dry places that have Geocaches in a coach made the year we married.
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DiskDoctr
PA
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Joined: 05/29/2006
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Thanks for the info.
To clarify, I am not looking to run off the batteries, just finish topping off whatever we don't charge with the generator, and to keep them properly charged unattended.
Does that help?
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time2roll
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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For the effort I recommend looking at 200 to 600 watts mounted on the roof. Large home panels are best value and require an MPPT controller. May never start the generator again.
2001 F150 SuperCrew
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
675w Solar pictures back up
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CarnationSailor
Cathedral City, CA
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Joined: 12/21/2009
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I use the following 30-watt Renogy panel when my 5th wheel is in storage during our 5-month off season. Keeps our 4 6-volt batteries topped up.:
https://smile.amazon.com/Renogy-12-Volt-monocrystalline-Solar-Panel/dp/B07MZL3PSD/ref=sr_1_2?a=aps&crid=2ZOCD6UDMJSHI&keywords=renogy+30w&qid=1667764454&sprefix=renogy+30&sr=8-2&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840
And I use this charge controller with it:
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B004Q820UK/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&aaxitk=87975b49f0613849f129e63777bfaf4e&content-id=amzn1.sym.53aae2ac-0129-49a5-9c09-6530a9e11786%3Aamzn1.sym.53aae2ac-0129-49a5-9c09-6530a9e11786&hsa_cr_id=5773970610501&pd_rd_plhdr=t&pd_rd_r=b4298c85-1ad1-4321-8b70-5b0c037dd929&pd_rd_w=q9tZZ&pd_rd_wg=snbqr&qid=1667764695&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_mcd_asin_0_img&sr=1-1-a094db1c-5033-42c6-82a2-587d01f975e8
It should do the job for the extended periods you mentioned; however, you may need a larger panel to bring the batteries to full charge between outings. This will depend upon how low the charge goes during usage and how many days you have before the next usage.
Good luck
2015 Crossroads Rushmore Springfield
2015 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax
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Boon Docker
Mountain Foothills of Southern Alberta
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Joined: 10/30/2015
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time2roll wrote:For the effort I recommend looking at 200 to 600 watts mounted on the roof. Large home panels are best value and require an MPPT controller. May never start the generator again.
X2
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DiskDoctr
PA
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Joined: 05/29/2006
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Thanks. I am going to look into a setup for 300w plus. Probably have to get a little at a time but might be a good idea to plan to run most things without the generator, too ![[emoticon]](https://forums.goodsamclub.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/wink.gif "wink")
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DiskDoctr
PA
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Joined: 05/29/2006
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I found 2pc of 320 watt each 24v Renogy panels for $623 and
Renogy MPPT 60a controller for $305 or $439. Is the Renogy REGO worth the extra money?
Other than that just wiring and mechanical/mounting, right?
Thanks.
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time2roll
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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Polarity and sequence of connections is critical. I don't know Renogy except to read the manual and see what features each has. Watch the shipping cost on the large panels. Make certain the controller max input voltage is 120% of the expected panel Voc spec. Otherwise yes mostly mount, plug and play.
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DiskDoctr
PA
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Joined: 05/29/2006
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Thanks again
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