SOLAR PANEL
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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=10501
Printed Date: 16 May 2024 at 2:46am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: SOLAR PANEL
Posted By: henryv
Subject: SOLAR PANEL
Date Posted: 12 Aug 2017 at 10:48am
I have a 2016 171 R-pod. I need to know what is the smallest and minimum solar panel I need. I understand it is for trickle charging the battery when boon docking. Is that right? So if I am traveling, lets say and I spend a night in a Wal Mart or somewhere then I can safely use the lights, tv, and fan for let's say one night safely then the next day the tow vehicle will charge the battery back up. But if I'm sitting for a couple nights or more without shore power, solar will keep the battery up as long as I don't use other than what I mentioned. Please tell me if that is correct, or explain the error in my understanding. Thanks yall 
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Replies:
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 12 Aug 2017 at 11:05am
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Do you have a 12v tv? ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: DaleH
Date Posted: 12 Aug 2017 at 11:43am
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A workable solar power system to do what you need it to do has to have adequate storage (battery) capacity and adequate generating (solar panels/charge controller) capacity. It really is a matter of being aware of just how much power you are using each day and whether you can replace that efficiently. The problem is that the sun doesn't always cooperate, so excess capacity is always good. I just bought a Go Power! 120 watt suitcase solar kit. I'm very impressed with it so far, nice heavy (efficient) cables, numerous connection options including a plug and play connector for the trailer's solar ready connector. Our new R-Pod came with a single 90 Ah battery and it's not enough for us to go off the grid with. I'll be replacing it with a couple of 6 volt golf cart batteries to boost our storage to 220 Ah or so. I'm sure others will be along to add to this. |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 12 Aug 2017 at 11:29pm
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We have a Renogy 100 watt suitcase system. It keeps our two six volt golf cart 220 ah batteries charged. We are out for several months at a time . We left home on July 15 and have been on the road for almost a month now. Between driving with the tv recharging and the solar system, we have no need to hook into the power grid. We use solar interior lights, led lights in the pod and the propane stove and refrigerator. We use the 12 volt water pump but do not use the water hea. After a nights usaage, our batteries may drop to 12.4, but they are recharged to 12.9 or 13.0 by noon on solar or within about 3 hours if we are driving. Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: frogpod
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2017 at 1:37am
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The tow vehicle can charge the pod. If you are only stopping overnight at a Walmart there should be no problem. It helps if the wire in the tow vehicle that goes to the recharge slot on the plug on the back of the tow vehicle is 10 gauge and not the usual 12 gauge. If staying a few days without traveling, you may need to recharge using the tow vehicle a couple of times. I installed an extra 12 v battery and can go several days without recharging. If you have AC and need to use it off grid the only option is a generator. I have a 3000 watt champion inverter generator which runs on propane that we use for recharging the battery. Actually got the generator to run the fridge, freezers and Television in the house when there is a power failure. It runs on natural gas, propane, or gasoline. Solar is something we are considering......but it would be just to be more environmentally friendly, not because it is needed.
------------- Leo and Tami with Coltrane the Jack Russell Terrier 2010 Rpod 171 2003 Toyota Tacoma TRD |
Posted By: henryv
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2017 at 9:50am
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When you say 12 volt tv are you talking about television?? ------------- |
Posted By: henryv
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2017 at 10:08am
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looks like tv is tow vehicle? I just googled suitcase solar kits and a lot came up. How do i pick a quality one for reasonable price? ------------- |
Posted By: henryv
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2017 at 10:10am
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also, if I go with 2 golfcart batteries, which ones, and capacity?? ------------- |
Posted By: henryv
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2017 at 11:39am
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Footnote:How do I avoid overkill? Maybe the factory system I already have is sufficient. How do I know, short of experience?? I don't want to buy two golf cart batteries if the one I already have will do the trick. ?? ------------- |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2017 at 2:35pm
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Since you seemed to be talking about watching television on battery power I'm pretty sure Leo was asking if your television was 12v. They used to exist back in the 30s maybe, but are there anything other than 12v trucks/automobiles anymore? I got a 100W Renogy Solar Suitcase and am very pleased with it so far. I've only used it for one week on the Outer Banks though. That's a much different environment than Fall or Winter in the Smoky Mountains, where solar will be pretty much useless. So think about where you will use yours if you get one. There are cheaper ways out if you're up on Ohm's Law and a little handy, but the Renogy suitcase is pretty much plug and play. As for whether to go for 2 x 6v batteries or stick with what you have, being cheap, I'd stick with what you have at least until the first sign of it failing or not keeping up with your needs. What are you going to do with it otherwise? With with a boost from solar it will let you camp for days on it's own. I have 1 12v battery. I also have a generator though. I stay at Walmarts fairly often and would never hook up solar or a generator for that unless it's too hot to sleep without air con. Solar does nothing for you there. Unless you're planning on days away from shore power you don't need to make a snap decision about this, and even then, if it comes to it, you can charge your pod battery with jumper cables from your TV (tow vehicle). Wait until you're comfortable with your understanding of the options and you have a better feeling for what you need for your kind of camping. Some people (almost) always stay at commercial campgrounds with water, electricity, sewer, cable, swimming pools, miniature golf, and all sorts of other stuff and wouldn't have it any other way. If that's you, solar panels will just waste space and money. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: henryv
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2017 at 2:56pm
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Tars Tarkas....thanks, that was very helpful. Are you a NC Tarheel? I was born in Asheville...spent a summer in the Smokies a couple of years ago. Had a Jayco Kiwi then. Sold it and have a new R-pod 171 now and can't wait to get back to those cool mountains. I will take your advice and see how I like what I have already before over extending myself. But if I decide to go solar, the camper is solar ready, and I will probably get a 100W Renogy Solar Suitcase (although I googled cheaper brands). By the way, I grew up in Hickory, lived in Flat Rock for 30 years, and never been to the Outer Banks..I'm going to treat myself one of these days. I'm a retired Marine Corps captain with nothing but time on my hands. ------------- |
Posted By: henryv
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2017 at 3:02pm
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Tars Tarkas....thanks, that was very helpful. Are you a NC Tarheel? I was born in Asheville...spent a summer in the Smokies a couple of years ago. Had a Jayco Kiwi then. Sold it and have a new R-pod 171 now and can't wait to get back to those cool mountains. I will take your advice and see how I like what I have already before over extending myself. But if I decide to go solar, the camper is solar ready, and I will probably get a 100W Renogy Solar Suitcase (although I googled cheaper brands). By the way, I grew up in Hickory, lived in Flat Rock for 30 years, and never been to the Outer Banks..I'm going to treat myself one of these days. I'm a retired Marine Corps captain with nothing but time on my hands. ------------- |
Posted By: henryv
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2017 at 3:30pm
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Tars Tarkas....thanks, that was very helpful. Are you a NC Tarheel? I was born in Asheville...spent a summer in the Smokies a couple of years ago. Had a Jayco Kiwi then. Sold it and have a new R-pod 171 now and can't wait to get back to those cool mountains. I will take your advice and see how I like what I have already before over extending myself. But if I decide to go solar, the camper is solar ready, and I will probably get a 100W Renogy Solar Suitcase (although I googled cheaper brands). By the way, I grew up in Hickory, lived in Flat Rock for 30 years, and never been to the Outer Banks..I'm going to treat myself one of these days. I'm a retired Marine Corps captain with nothing but time on my hands. ------------- |
Posted By: voisj
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2017 at 10:47am
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Good answer all around. No need to buy stuff unless you find a need for it. You will figure it out as you go. If you are just pulling into a Walmart for the night your TV (tow vehicle) should charge things up while you drive and solar wont help unless you stay the day with panels out or mount them to your roof. 100W Renogy Solar Suitcase. Mine keeps me charged up if there is good sun. Ebay $200 I run 2 G24 (Stock) batteries, and get 4 days out of them with no solar, when I try. With solar we run the fan vent (on 1) all night every night When they die ( I'm trying) I will go for the twin 6v upgrade but so far power has not been an issue. I have a generator and solar and hardly ever run the generator. I replaced my Television with a 12 volt one with a built in DVD player. So they are available and easy to find on Ebay. Then we had a power surge that killed it and now we run no television and I removed the antenna. Has changed the way we camp for the better. cheers John
------------- http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9426&title=slopod-180-mods-johnsue - SLOPODMODS John&Sue,SLO,CA 2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost 
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