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Ben Herman View Drop Down
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Joined: 26 Apr 2018
Location: Gr Junction, CO
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Posts: 356 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: 200 W of Solar
    Posted: 15 May 2021 at 10:25pm
We use a 100w Renogy system with a single 12 v battery and its more than adequate, but we live in sunny Colorado and rarely have cloudy days. Also, I added a 25 ft cable to the panels so that I can move it around to capture the sun during the day. We run out of water and blackwater tank space  long  before power.
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nasi View Drop Down
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Joined: 11 Apr 2021
Location: Wisconsin
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Posts: 5 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 May 2021 at 10:42pm
Thanks Ben.  I have been looking at the 100w Renogy system. Good to know.  I see you are from Grand Junction.  My parents used to live in Montrose and I know that area pretty well.  I wish I was there many times in about February here in Wisconsin.
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fwunder View Drop Down
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Joined: 04 Oct 2013
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Posts: 1676 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 May 2021 at 8:42am
I have that system. And a separate 100 watt HQST panel I carry on top of my TV. Dual 6 volt Duracells and 1500 watt VertaMax inverter. I use Voyager PWM controllers. All works very well.

Be advised the Renogy 200 watt suitcase uses very unique cell design. You cannot hook the two panels in series.


fred
2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
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Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
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Posts: 6418 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 May 2021 at 9:01am
If you really need to save weight and have the budget for it, I would recommend converting to an LiFePO4 battery. I have a 100A one. I am considering whether to change to a 200A model. Two GC2 6V batteries weigh about 120 lbs. The 100W LiFePO4 battery weighs less than 30 lbs. It also can be mounted inside since it does not produce flamable hydrogen gas. You can see my write-up in my mods.

It isn't cheap to change to an LiFePO4 battery, but it also has a much longer expected lifespan than Pb-Acid batteries. It also can be discharged to a much greater depth than Pb-Acid batteries without damaging the battery. It does require other changes which you can read about in my mods. If you are going solar, then an LiFePO4 battery makes a lot of sense also.
StephenH
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ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
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Ricktoon View Drop Down
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Joined: 24 Sep 2020
Location: Montana
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Posts: 67 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jun 2021 at 11:29pm
Anyone know if there is a fuse inline on the solar power cables running from the roof of a 2021 196 to the batteries. Putting a panel on top and charge controller inside and understand I should have a 20 or 30 amp fuse on the positive wire close to the battery. Wonder if the wiring already has one installed.
Rick and Ellen B
2019 Chevy Colorado
2021 Rpod 196
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jun 2021 at 6:17am
Don't think so. Besides, it should be right at the battery. Just get a bolt on or inline fuse and install it at the pos batt terminal.
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Ricktoon View Drop Down
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Joined: 24 Sep 2020
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Posts: 67 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jun 2021 at 3:37pm
That is what I thought as well. Will install inline fuse on solar positive wire.
Rick and Ellen B
2019 Chevy Colorado
2021 Rpod 196
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