Solar Power
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1035
Printed Date: 12 May 2025 at 7:10pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Solar Power
Posted By: rpodcamper.com
Subject: Solar Power
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2010 at 9:57am
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I was out looking today and wondering how this would work at keeping my batteries charged as we dry camp: 45 Watt Solar Panel Kit
Use the sun's power to run TVs, lights, computers and recharge 12VDC batteries!
Requires 12 volt storage battery and 300 watt power inverter (not included). Maximum current, 3000 mA. 15 watts max per panel. Peak voltage: 23.57 volts open current. Panel dimensions: 12.40'' x 36.42'' x 0.75'' Weight: 9.7 lbs. |
Replies:
Posted By: rpodadmin
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2010 at 10:00am
| any photos? |
Posted By: GrandPod
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2010 at 10:22am
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You also need a charge controller. A inverter uses alot of current; I'd think if you could use 12 vdc appliances you'd be better off.
Tom ------------- Tom and Linda R-Pod 177 Southwest Florida |
Posted By: rpodcamper.com
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2010 at 10:24am
Here is the photo |
Posted By: rpodcamper.com
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2010 at 10:29am
| I'm looking to power Lights, and water pump. No AC, Microwave or TV. |
Posted By: TerryM
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2010 at 12:56pm
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Make a list of what you would be running. On that list put on the power consumption per hour of use. Total them up and compare it to the solar panel setup. Terry Edit: if you run into problems or just have any technical questions talk to John Palmer. He lives off the power grid! Go here: http://www.palmerenergysystems.com - http://www.palmerenergysystems.com ------------- RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565 |
Posted By: sylviablue
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2010 at 7:39pm
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Any price on that set up? ------------- four peas |
Posted By: rpodcamper.com
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2010 at 9:22pm
| $179.99 |
Posted By: GrandPod
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2010 at 6:05am
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What company is this package available from ? Sounds like a good price.
Tom ------------- Tom and Linda R-Pod 177 Southwest Florida |
Posted By: sylviablue
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2010 at 9:57am
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The price is right now we just gotta see if it works for our needs. Where did you find it? For us I am thinking lights, water pump (not the water heater) plus I'd like to get the frig off LP.
------------- four peas |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2010 at 10:44am
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Something to keep in mind is that partial shading will prevent an entire solar panel from producing any useful output. So if one corner of the panel gets some shade, its as if the entire panel is in shade. This is due to the internal series wiring of the individual cells - when one cell is in shade it acts as a resistor and so it blocks the current from the other cells. If you often camp - or store the camper - where you can't get the panel(s) in full sun most of the day you should reconsider using solar. Often just buying a 2nd battery is the cheaper and more reliable option for a week-long trip, and/or using your tow vehicle to top off your battery every other day for a half-hour (use jumper cables and make sure to start the vehicle before attaching the camper battery).
Don't get me wrong, I've been a solar enthusiast for years (I subscribe to http://www.homepower.com/ - http://www.homepower.com ) and can't wait to get it on my house. I just don't think it has the best cost-to-benefit ratio for the average one-weekend-per-month-one-week-per-year camper, especially if you usually camp under the trees. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2010 at 10:51am
I wouldn't worry about the fridge - you could run it for a month on one tank of LP, that's how little it uses. It also uses a lot of energy in electric mode, 3-8 amps per hour depending on the model (I'm not sure what the exact number is for the 'pods). At 3 amps, that's 72 amps per day, far more than a small solar setup can provide. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: GrandPod
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2010 at 7:47pm
Local Harbor Freight has this same solar set up on sale for $199. Regular price is $249. They had this for for last black friday 2009 sale for  $150.
Tom ------------- Tom and Linda R-Pod 177 Southwest Florida |
Posted By: rpodcamper.com
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2010 at 2:02pm
| Yes was the Harbor Freight that had this special. I get e-mail specials from them weekly with all kinds of deals and they run this one pretty many times. |
Posted By: TerryM
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2010 at 3:50pm
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Myself, I don't trust Harbor Freight to anything near good quality. Terry ------------- RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565 |
Posted By: GrandPod
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2010 at 7:38pm
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When it states that it is a 45 watt Solar Power unit; what is the output of this unit per hour or day?
Tom ------------- Tom and Linda R-Pod 177 Southwest Florida |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2010 at 2:59pm
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That would be 45 watts per hour in full sunlight. You can look up the "solar insolence" for your area by searching the net (one resource is below). Around me in MD its about 4.5 hours per day average, which means year-round you can count on 4.5 hours of useful sun. You'll get more during the summer when you are camping. Let's say its 6.
So 6 x 45 watts = 270 watts on a perfect summer day, no shading. At 12 volts that's about 22.5 amps. There is then some loss between the charge controller and internal battery resistance. You might get 75% into the battery (but not if its near a full charge already), so about 17 amps.
http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/old_data/nsrdb/redbook/atlas/ - http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/old_data/nsrdb/redbook/atlas/ ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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