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JoanneandTom
Newbie
Joined: 06 Feb 2018
Location: Socorro, NM
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12
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Topic: solar panel Posted: 17 Apr 2018 at 9:31pm |
Since we do a lot of off grid camping we want to buy a solar panel. Our 179 has a plug for the panel. Has anyone puschased, used a solar panel and would like to share their experiences?
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Joanne and Tom
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Tars Tarkas
Senior Member
Joined: 14 Jan 2013
Location: Near Nashville
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1446
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Posted: 17 Apr 2018 at 9:43pm |
We got a Renogy 100w solar suitcase and have been quite happy with it. There are a lot of variables involved in making choices about solar and staying charged while boondocking. We also have a 2400 watt generator because we camp in the Smokies a lot and there just isn't a lot of sun at ground level. At the Outer Banks our solar suitcase is all we need except for few minutes to run a coffee maker or the microwave. A couple of days of cloudy weather could botch that equation though. So a lot depends on where you camp and how much power you want to use. (No amount of solar you can haul around with you is going to run the air conditioner!)
TT
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2010 176
FJ Cruiser
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Pod People
Senior Member
Joined: 22 Sep 2011
Location: Chapel Hill,NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1067
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Posted: 17 Apr 2018 at 11:05pm |
We also use the Renogy 100 watt suitcase panel with great success. One of the great aspects of the suitcase is that you can park the pod in the shade and move the panel around to get the best available sun. There are several other things to think about before you decide. You said you like to boondock, then solar can be very effective. We have been out as long as 2 continuos weeks using only solar. However, that type of camping also requires some additional changes. We don’t use the hot water heater, we heat water on the stove. We use solar lamps and use the led built in lamps as little as possible. We are very stingy with overall power usage. We also have two six volt golf cart bateries that will hold more charge over a longer period of time when it is cloudy. We can usually totally recharge our batteries in about 4hours of good sun. The key is to know that these types of batteries can be discharged to a lower level (we try not to go below 65%) than “standard”rv type batteries. So, learn and think more about your power usage and how you can conserve and learn more about batteries prior to going solar. It can work great, but it can also not live up to your expectations. That being said, we love our system and totally depend on it. Travel safe Vann
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Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179
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Leo B
podders Helping podders - pHp
Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4508
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Posted: 18 Apr 2018 at 4:24am |
We have a renogy 100w panel that we purchased over the winter. Starting to experiment with it now. Lookin forward to doing a lot more dry camping this year.
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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
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Ghosthawk
Senior Member
Joined: 01 Apr 2018
Location: Fargo ND
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 128
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Posted: 18 Apr 2018 at 6:44am |
We are also looking at one or possibly 2 100 watt panels. Really like the looks of some of the new light weight flex panels that weigh 4 lbs instead of 40.
Also have a Generator for backup, or if we get into warm weather and momma is needing a break from the heat with no shore power available.
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lostagain
Senior Member
Joined: 06 Sep 2016
Location: Quaker Hill, CT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2587
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Posted: 18 Apr 2018 at 9:17am |
We got a flexible 100w solar panel from Windy Nation, located in Ventura, CA along with a controller. I put small boat line cleats along the bottom edge of the walls of the TT, 2 on each side fore and the same aft. I also put the same cleats on the bottom edge of our camper shell [or as they say in other parts of the country, topper]. We put the panel in the location where it gets the most sun exposure, either on the front or back sloping Pod roof or on top of the camper shell. It has grommets in each corner and I secure it using a thin braided line to the cleats so it doesn't blow away in the wind. It has been more than sufficient to meet all our battery recharging needs.
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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost
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Leo B
podders Helping podders - pHp
Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4508
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Posted: 18 Apr 2018 at 9:45am |
Great idea! Would you have any photos?
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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
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lostagain
Senior Member
Joined: 06 Sep 2016
Location: Quaker Hill, CT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2587
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Posted: 18 Apr 2018 at 10:35am |
I'll take some later today and post them.
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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost
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lostagain
Senior Member
Joined: 06 Sep 2016
Location: Quaker Hill, CT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2587
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Posted: 18 Apr 2018 at 11:57am |
Here is the panel fastened to the back just above the window. This has worked in a 20 mph wind blowing across the back of the trailer. But, depending on the wind direction, the best sun exposure, etc., you can adjust the position of the panel and lines to so it doesn't move out of position. You just have to have enough line to get creative. I'm thinking of adding another piece of line to the grommet in the middle of the top of the panel to give it a little more support.
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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost
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JoanneandTom
Newbie
Joined: 06 Feb 2018
Location: Socorro, NM
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12
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Posted: 18 Apr 2018 at 2:26pm |
Everyone’s info was greatly helpful. Thank you
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Joanne and Tom
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