solar panel
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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=11421
Printed Date: 28 Jun 2025 at 5:40am
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Topic: solar panel
Posted By: JoanneandTom
Subject: solar panel
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2018 at 9:31pm
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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? ------------- Joanne and Tom |
Replies:
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2018 at 9:43pm
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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 ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2018 at 11:05pm
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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 ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2018 at 4:24am
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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. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Ghosthawk
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2018 at 6:44am
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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. |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2018 at 9:17am
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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. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2018 at 9:45am
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Great idea! Would you have any photos? ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2018 at 10:35am
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I'll take some later today and post them. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2018 at 11:57am
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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. https://postimg.cc/image/ctcfgxlb7/">
 ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: JoanneandTom
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2018 at 2:26pm
Everyone’s info was greatly helpful. Thank you  ------------- Joanne and Tom |
Posted By: JoanneandTom
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2018 at 2:37pm
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Can anyone tell me what cable adaptor I need? 10 or 12 AWG? ------------- Joanne and Tom |
Posted By: JoanneandTom
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2018 at 2:39pm
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What kind of generator? ------------- Joanne and Tom |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2018 at 4:57pm
------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2018 at 5:22pm
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lostagain, really nice work!!!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2018 at 5:53pm
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Z Amp makes the connector that adapts to your trailer, I have one, used it to adapt a service light mounted inside rear storage door, connects to the 12V supplied by Z Amp connector. Connectors are readily available. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2018 at 6:54pm
Probably 10g if you want more than about 10 feet of cable. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2018 at 7:06pm
If you want to run the air con, you need at least 2400w. I have a Yamaha 2400iSCH which will run the air but not the air and the microwave at the same time. Never been an issue. 3000w will run everything at once but a 3000w generator is heavy. An option is 2 2000w Hondas that can be hooked together. You can take one if that's all you need or haul both around if you need to. Alternatively, if you just want to keep your battery charged a little 1000w gennie will do. I think you want quiet even if you don't think you do. Your neighbors want quiet and a lot of neighboring campers aren't camping to listen to other people's generators! Yamaha and Honda are the industry leaders for quiet. There are some other brands that are catching up though. Don't forget that almost every campground has generator hours, sometimes more restrictive than "quiet hours", so depending on where you're camping, you may not have air conditioning at night. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2018 at 7:49pm
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Thanks, Leo B. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2018 at 10:39pm
------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2018 at 7:31am
That seems like another argument in favor of paying extra for fewer decibels. Too many screaming gennies might cause more campgrounds to ban them. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: Ghosthawk
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2018 at 7:12pm
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That is a great idea about the boat cleats. Was wondering if you guys think 4 90 lb magnets with hooks would do while parked? Would be stowed away while towing. Cordage I have in excess. |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2018 at 10:42pm
Whatcha gonna hook the magnets to? The frame is aluminum and the skin is fiberglass. Not a lot of ferris metal available except down on the frame. It'd probably have plenty of force to hold the ties, but it's a lot of kneeling to get the magnets on and off, especially for an old guy like me.  Whether magnets or line cleats, it is goes with out saying that any flexible solar panel is for while parked and has to be removed for driving.
------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: Blender Bob
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2018 at 8:15am
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I bought a Zamp 120W solution and like the sturdiness of the frame on a windy day. On a good sunny day, I get about 30-40Ahr which is 20 to 25% of my two battery total capacity. One need to keep the panels pointed to the sun for best performance. I also have a plastic covered bike cable and lock to keep them from walking off when I am away from camp. ------------- Bob 2015 Chevy Colorado Z71 2018 178 R-pod Hood River Edition |