Just bought my 179! - R-pod Owners Forum

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techntrek

Admin Group - pHp

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9062

Topic: Just bought my 179!
Posted: 15 Feb 2015 at 5:04pm

Welcome.

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

IL-Podders View Drop Down

Groupie

Joined: 03 Feb 2015
Location: Mokena, IL
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 68

Posted: 15 Feb 2015 at 8:25am

Welcome and congrats on your 179. We are also new owners anxiously waiting for the cold and snow to move on.

Marv-N-Kathy
2015 179 RPod
2016 Chevy Tahoe

Leo B

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4518

Posted: 15 Feb 2015 at 7:44am

Welcome to the group! Congrats on your 179!!

Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171

Viperbyte

Newbie

Joined: 31 Mar 2014
Location: Louisville, KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 11

Posted: 15 Feb 2015 at 6:43am

Welcome PamJones and congrats are your purchase.

Concerning the size of solar panels, I have done some research and spoken with the Zamp Solar representative but I am by no means an expert.

The size of the panels you will need are not only dependent on your usage but also on the amount of hours the panels are exposed to full sun. As an example, here on the east coast most of the parks have a good canopy from the trees (not all but most) so this limits the amount of charge the panels will obtain. On the flip side if you are camping in the desert, there is high sunlight exposure.

Panels are rated by an amps per hour.

So to simplify this mumbo jumbo :) your usage of amps and potential sunlight exposure will determine the size panel you need.

For me, after doing some testing on how fast I drain my batteries and after speaking with Zamp solar the 160W portable panel setup should suffice.

As an FYI there are other brands out there but make sure the setup you purchase also has a controller. From what I have read you do not want to connect a large wattage panel directly to a battery group. The controller will monitor and adjust the charge so you don't damage your batteries. Also, there are different type of plugs so you will want to get the one that matches the plug on the side of your 179.

Just my 2 cents. Take care and Happy Podding.

Jon & Missy
Bandit, Willy, Woody, & Fargo (The Pod Pack)
2015 (Early) R Pod 179
2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac V8 4x4

Podster

Senior Member

Joined: 16 Sep 2014
Location: San Antonio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1108

Posted: 15 Feb 2015 at 5:46am

Howdy and Congratulations on your new 1 seven niner! Thumbs Up

Correct solar sizing is dependent on use (requirements), battery storage, charge efficiency, and available sun.

But if you want to skip all the tech mumbo jumbo I can tell you that seems several campers are happy with around 100w. I have seen some use 200w panels. I will probably use a 100w panel with 2ea 6v batteries for dry camping on the beach at Port A where there is lots of sun. This system probably won't cut it in the Hill Country where there is lots of shade.

I like the price and the looks of this setup: RenogyⓇ Foldable Solar Suitcase Battery Charger 100W

This is interesting, for those looking for more power in a small panel here Renogy offers a 39" x 39" 150w Mono-crystalline panel.

Renogy 150 Watts 12 Volts High Efficient Monocrystalline Solar Panel for off-grid applications -- RV, Boat, Cabin, Yachts, Trailers, Motorhomes, etc.

Please allow me to cordially invite you'all out to the BIG TEXAS RALLY this fall.

2015 BIG TEXAS Rally! - R-pod Owners Forum - Page 1

Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178
(1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)

pamjones

Newbie

Joined: 10 Jan 2015
Location: Austin, TX
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1

Posted: 14 Feb 2015 at 11:34pm

I have been dreaming of owning an RV for 5 years and yesterday purchased an R-Pod 179. I am so excited and am already planning mods. My first mod will be slip covering all the cushions. All the colors options are pretty ugly in my opinion.

I want to get the ZAMP solar so I can dry camp. Can anyone advise on how many watts I should start with?

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techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Topic: Just bought my 179! Posted: 15 Feb 2015 at 5:04pm
	Welcome.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

IL-Podders Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 03 Feb 2015 Location: Mokena, IL Online Status: Offline Posts: 68	Posted: 15 Feb 2015 at 8:25am
	Welcome and congrats on your 179. We are also new owners anxiously waiting for the cold and snow to move on.
	Marv-N-Kathy 2015 179 RPod 2016 Chevy Tahoe

Leo B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4518	Posted: 15 Feb 2015 at 7:44am
	Welcome to the group! Congrats on your 179!!
	Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171

Viperbyte Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 31 Mar 2014 Location: Louisville, KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 11	Posted: 15 Feb 2015 at 6:43am
	Welcome PamJones and congrats are your purchase. Concerning the size of solar panels, I have done some research and spoken with the Zamp Solar representative but I am by no means an expert. The size of the panels you will need are not only dependent on your usage but also on the amount of hours the panels are exposed to full sun. As an example, here on the east coast most of the parks have a good canopy from the trees (not all but most) so this limits the amount of charge the panels will obtain. On the flip side if you are camping in the desert, there is high sunlight exposure. Panels are rated by an amps per hour. So to simplify this mumbo jumbo :) your usage of amps and potential sunlight exposure will determine the size panel you need. For me, after doing some testing on how fast I drain my batteries and after speaking with Zamp solar the 160W portable panel setup should suffice. As an FYI there are other brands out there but make sure the setup you purchase also has a controller. From what I have read you do not want to connect a large wattage panel directly to a battery group. The controller will monitor and adjust the charge so you don't damage your batteries. Also, there are different type of plugs so you will want to get the one that matches the plug on the side of your 179. Just my 2 cents. Take care and Happy Podding.
	Jon & Missy Bandit, Willy, Woody, & Fargo (The Pod Pack) 2015 (Early) R Pod 179 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac V8 4x4

Podster Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 16 Sep 2014 Location: San Antonio Online Status: Offline Posts: 1108	Posted: 15 Feb 2015 at 5:46am
	Howdy and Congratulations on your new 1 seven niner! Correct solar sizing is dependent on use (requirements), battery storage, charge efficiency, and available sun. But if you want to skip all the tech mumbo jumbo I can tell you that seems several campers are happy with around 100w. I have seen some use 200w panels. I will probably use a 100w panel with 2ea 6v batteries for dry camping on the beach at Port A where there is lots of sun. This system probably won't cut it in the Hill Country where there is lots of shade. I like the price and the looks of this setup: RenogyⓇ Foldable Solar Suitcase Battery Charger 100W This is interesting, for those looking for more power in a small panel here Renogy offers a 39" x 39" 150w Mono-crystalline panel. Renogy 150 Watts 12 Volts High Efficient Monocrystalline Solar Panel for off-grid applications -- RV, Boat, Cabin, Yachts, Trailers, Motorhomes, etc. Please allow me to cordially invite you'all out to the BIG TEXAS RALLY this fall. 2015 BIG TEXAS Rally! - R-pod Owners Forum - Page 1
	Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)

pamjones Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 10 Jan 2015 Location: Austin, TX Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Posted: 14 Feb 2015 at 11:34pm
	I have been dreaming of owning an RV for 5 years and yesterday purchased an R-Pod 179. I am so excited and am already planning mods. My first mod will be slip covering all the cushions. All the colors options are pretty ugly in my opinion. I want to get the ZAMP solar so I can dry camp. Can anyone advise on how many watts I should start with?