Solar panel
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10067
Printed Date: 29 Jun 2025 at 3:27pm
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Topic: Solar panel
Posted By: henryv
Subject: Solar panel
Date Posted: 30 May 2017 at 2:44pm
What is the best solar panel to use if you are planning to use the one battery that came with the camper. Is Zamp recommended? 
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Replies:
Posted By: texman
Date Posted: 30 May 2017 at 2:59pm
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I have a zamp 80 watt. I replaced the single battery with two 6v. I like the zamp and it does exactly what i need. Several other brands are good as well, but zamp will be the most expensive for sure. I would suggest getting the right size of panel more than a particular brand. Are going to boondock for extended periods? what do you plan to use the panel to do for you?
------------- TexMan 2015 182g 2018 Sequoia http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9122&title=texman-182g-mods - TexManMods |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 30 May 2017 at 4:20pm
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The panels almost don't matter. Whatever you get needs to feed a 12V system in the end. More important is the charge controller you get that will connect between the panel(s) and your 12V R-pod. My personal opinion is to get a panel (or panels) that provide whatever power (in watts) that you need. If the panel(s) provide too much voltage, get a MPPT controller to adapt it to your 12V batteries. If you get a low voltage panel (or panels), you can use a PWM controller. My personal preference is MPPT since they can wring out more power for a given situation. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 30 May 2017 at 7:26pm
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I just got a Renogy 100w suitcase and am pretty happy with it so far. This is my first real experience with solar, so I can't rate it against anything else except for price. You can get 100w from Renogy for a lot less than 80w from Zamp costs. If your Pod has the Zamp hookup you can get an adapter or just bypass it and go straight to the battery. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 30 May 2017 at 8:07pm
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When buying solar panels, shoot for about $0.75 (yes 75 cents) per watt. Any more than that, and you are paying excess for "marketing" or something. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: henryv
Date Posted: 31 May 2017 at 9:46am
As far as what I want to use it for, not being solar savy, I guess just to charge the one battery I already have. I don't plan on doing long boondocking, maybe a night or two while on the road. Some of the replies are hard to understand. Keep it simple  ------------- |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 31 May 2017 at 2:02pm
In that case, why bother with solar (or a generator)? It sounds like you would be spending a lot of money on something which won't give you much use. If all you plan on is an occasional night or two on the road (presuming you will be traveling and the battery/batteries will be charging), you won't need to worry about charging it/them. The only conceivable need would be for a generator large enough to run the AC. Solar is not suitable for that purpose. At home or a campground, you would be plugged in to shore power. That will also power your 'Pod and will charge your battery/batteries. If you install a cut-off switch for your battery/batteries for use while it is in storage, you will be okay as that will prevent the parasitic drains on the system. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: henryv
Date Posted: 31 May 2017 at 4:36pm
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Thanks Stephen...let's change what I said from one or two nights to one or two weeks. What then? ------------- |
Posted By: SDTrialer
Date Posted: 31 May 2017 at 5:25pm
| With an 80w portable, plug in (mine is Go Power) I can go 10-14 days. Maybe more - haven't tried more yet. 20 lb Propane lasted the same. |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 31 May 2017 at 6:48pm
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In cold weather (highs in 50's lows in upper 30's to low 40's) we expect 3 days out of our 12v deep cycle marine batteries, group size 24). Since we have 2 of them we easily get 6 days and these batteries are now entering their 7th year of service. During summer time, we would probably go much longer but I don't have figures on that since I still work and we only go for a couple days at a time every other weekend. After 2 days the board shows my battery is still 2/3 fully charged but once I drive a couple or few hours by the time I get home it is at 100% again.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 31 May 2017 at 10:19pm
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One or two weeks would make solar more attractive.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 31 May 2017 at 10:59pm
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Solar might get you by for a week or two, or even forever, as long as you get plenty of sun and no rain or shade. It also depends on much use you try to squeeze out of your battery. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: computerfixitguy
Date Posted: 31 May 2017 at 11:09pm
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Had I read a thread like this I would not have bought a bulky 200w panel from Zamp. However, on the facebook RPod Owners forum, those of us with 200+ watts and an inverter can run a hair dryer. Its big, but my wife loves her hair dryer. But a smaller 100w would be almost better. That also being said. I do have 2 generators for using the AC when I go to into Utah or someplace hotter. I don't like to ruffle the neighboring campers precious ears so I don't like to use them. Since my kids have so much electric stuff and I have my laptop. I can actually run and charge my goodies with the panel. Derek ------------- Kim & Derek 2016.5 176t 2015 Jeep Rubicon JKU (trips west) 2008 Town and Country (trips east) 2 kids, 2 dogs |
Posted By: sailor323
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2017 at 6:10pm
| The size of your solar array depends entirely on hw much power you need. Lights, water pump, brains for the fridge, fantastic fan, can all be handled for long periods of time with only 100 watts provided your solar exposure is good. Biggest limitation is storage capacity, especially when cloudy for a day or two. However, since the solar installation probably won't work at highest efficiency, a little over kill wouldn't hurt. I'd recommend 200 watts and 2 group 27 batteries (2 6v GC batteries even better) if you think you'll use a lot of electricity--120v appliances, television, computer, they all add up |