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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: 355 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Solar Questions
    Posted: 10 Jul 2018 at 8:39am
Originally posted by itsjoprairie

Thanks. I was wondering if you got enough solar from the batteries for a heater or AC. We live in Texas so AC is a huge must when camping here. I didn't think you could get enough from a small solar set up for those!


Heater yes (the RPod heater runs on propane and the battery runs the blower/thermostat) but not AC. You have two choices - stay in campgrounds with electricity available, or use a gasoline-powered generator. If choosing to do the latter, use the search function for this forum - there have been lots of posts lately with good information on choosing and using a generator. 
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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: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Jul 2018 at 4:11pm
Search for "Off Grid Solar Powered RV Air Conditioning - Is It Possible?" on the "Gone with the Wynns" blog. There is also a YouTube video with it.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
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3sunsets View Drop Down
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Joined: 07 May 2018
Location: Berrien Springs
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Posts: 13 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jul 2018 at 9:09am
I'm very very new to this solar thing but after reading so many post it appears to me that you can potentially run the A/C but it would very very expensive for the necessary modifications to your system.
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Tars Tarkas View Drop Down
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Posts: 1446 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jul 2018 at 9:16am
"Possible" and remotely practical can be two different things. 

TT
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jul 2018 at 2:11pm
Agreed! For a large motor home like that of the Wynns, it is doable as they have lots of space for solar panels and lots of room for batteries. I expect that they are not having to purchase all of the items used out of pocket but likely have some form of sponsorship to help pay the enormous cost of their setup. For an R-Pod, a generator makes much more sense if one wants to run the AC with no shore power.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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Olddawgsrule View Drop Down
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Joined: 20 Sep 2017
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Posts: 1014 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jul 2018 at 7:51am
Think of your Solar use for anything 'except' your Frig or AC unit. 

There're Frig units out there that are specific for Battery, but you don't have the choice of Propane/AC power. Very efficient on battery, but again, your frig doesn't use all that much propane and works very well on it.

There is a AC unit that is being worked on (to me still in design stage) that works on the Peltier system. Looks promising, yet still not ready for full production and not something I will call out by name nor recommend as of yet. Hopes I can in the near future.

I run a 130w panel, ground stood so the trailer can be in the shade. Also allows me to turn it for optimum gain during the day. With my dual 6v batteries I have yet to run out of power (or even get low enough to be concerned).

I just finished a 46 day run through the Nor'east Maritimes with 1/2 of those being boon docking. I'm now convinced a 100w panel would have been fine for me!
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