R-pod Owners Forum : solar "generator" to charge house batteries http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : I need HELP!!! : solar "generator" to charge house batteries Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Wed, 20 May 2026 20:21:04 +0000 Fri, 03 Jan 2025 15:21:08 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=16110 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ solar "generator" to charge house batteries : Unfortunately, it was as you concluded,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16110&PID=154141#154141 Author: StephenH
Subject: 16110
Posted: 03 Jan 2025 at 3:21pm

Unfortunately, it was as you concluded, not a great decision to leave the Renogy suitcase behind in Florida. You could connect your tow vehicle and run the engine to add charge to the battery, but that is inefficient unless you have a DC to DC charger and a heavy-duty circuit so that you can pump sufficient amperage through to charge the battery in a reasonable time. Still, you don't necessarily need to move the trailer or even hitch it up to do so.

The "solar generators" would not be great, but if that is all you have, go for it. You can get an adapter to adapt the power cord from the 110V outlet on the units to the 30A trailer cord easily enough. Just don't expect to do more than add a little power to the battery and don't expect to fully charge it from the two units. Be sure to monitor whichever one is connected so you know whether it will allow this type of use or not. Turn off everything but the converter. so power is only going to the battery.
]]> Fri, 03 Jan 2025 15:21:08 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16110&PID=154141#154141 solar "generator" to charge house batteries : I have a Renogy suitcase in Florida... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16110&PID=154140#154140 Author: EchoGale
Subject: 16110
Posted: 02 Jan 2025 at 8:30pm

I have a Renogy suitcase in Florida I just didn't bring it. In my inexperience didn't think I'd need it and it is heavy and bulky. Now I know better :)
]]> Thu, 02 Jan 2025 20:30:48 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16110&PID=154140#154140 solar "generator" to charge house batteries : Originally posted by EchoGaleIt... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16110&PID=154137#154137 Author: gpokluda
Subject: 16110
Posted: 02 Jan 2025 at 3:25pm

Originally posted by EchoGale

It is one panel and I do have an MPPT controller (Go Power). It is flat on the roof (sadly), permanently mounted, and I not have the ability to get on the roof. This has all been really helpful because I was worried that I had a malfunction and I think, now, it's just that I didn't anticipate how much difference that inability to change the angle would make. Should have brought the Renogy suitcase. :)

If all you have is a fixed rooftop panel, I would seriously consider a suitcase/portable panel. Even in the summer, you may be camped under or near trees and your rooftop panel will be ineffective. A portable panel gives you that ability to place it out in the sun. Make sure it has it's own controller. They usually come with clips that can be clipped directly to the battery giving you maximum charging efficiency.
]]> Thu, 02 Jan 2025 15:25:57 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16110&PID=154137#154137 solar "generator" to charge house batteries : It is one panel and I do have... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16110&PID=154135#154135 Author: EchoGale
Subject: 16110
Posted: 02 Jan 2025 at 12:49pm

It is one panel and I do have an MPPT controller (Go Power). It is flat on the roof (sadly), permanently mounted, and I not have the ability to get on the roof. This has all been really helpful because I was worried that I had a malfunction and I think, now, it's just that I didn't anticipate how much difference that inability to change the angle would make. Should have brought the Renogy suitcase. :)
]]> Thu, 02 Jan 2025 12:49:05 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16110&PID=154135#154135 solar "generator" to charge house batteries : You say you have 180 watts of... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16110&PID=154134#154134 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 16110
Posted: 02 Jan 2025 at 12:25pm

You say you have 180 watts of solar. Is that one, two, or three panels?

If it's more than one panel, switching to a MPPT controller will help a lot, because the MPPT controller will allow you to charge in diminishing light. The MPPT controller will allow you to connect the panels in series, which will increase the overall voltage output of the panels.

Second, what is the angle of the sun where you are? This time of year, it will be relatively low, and increasing the angle will make a huge difference in the solar output. I ran a broadband business for quite a few years, and all of our remote POPs were solar powered. I set the angle of the panels at 60° and had plenty of power even in the low angles around the winter solstice (hardest period is December 21 +/- 30 days).
]]> Thu, 02 Jan 2025 12:25:44 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16110&PID=154134#154134 solar "generator" to charge house batteries : Originally posted by EchoGaleMy... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16110&PID=154133#154133 Author: gpokluda
Subject: 16110
Posted: 02 Jan 2025 at 11:47am

Originally posted by EchoGale


My question is, can I use them to charge the house batteries and if so, should I use my surge protector?

Yes, but... if you are plugging your power cord from the camper into the "generators" you will lose power in the conversion process because you are going from 12v to 110v via the inverter in your solar generator, then 110v back to 12v via the converter in the camper. So yes, you can charge your house batteries with solar generators, but it is inefficient as heck. You would be better off charging another battery with a solar panel, then swapping out the house battery with the freshly charged one.

Since your power is already "clean" coming from the solar generator battery, there is no need for the surge protector.
]]> Thu, 02 Jan 2025 11:47:32 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16110&PID=154133#154133 solar "generator" to charge house batteries : Thank you for the replies. I had... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16110&PID=154132#154132 Author: EchoGale
Subject: 16110
Posted: 02 Jan 2025 at 11:25am

Thank you for the replies. I had done this trip a few years ago with less battery power and only a portable 100w Renogy suitcase and I was fine. From what you've both said it seems to me like the problem is the winter sun and not an equipment malfunction.

As I said, I'm looking for a short-term solution so I don't have to change my plans over the next couple of weeks and hoping to use what I have with me. The "solar generators"  have a dedicated (but small) portable panel.

I know they are batteries and not generators and I hate that they have named them this but if I had called them batteries you would have been confused. I also know they are small but all I need to do is stretch the time; even getting a couple of extra days helps because then I only have to move to recharge only once instead of twice. Based on your replies I did check my Go Power solar controller and it is MPPT

My question is, can I use them to charge the house batteries and if so, should I use my surge protector?
]]> Thu, 02 Jan 2025 11:25:44 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16110&PID=154132#154132 solar "generator" to charge house batteries : This exact same discussion is... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16110&PID=154131#154131 Author: gpokluda
Subject: 16110
Posted: 02 Jan 2025 at 9:10am

This exact same discussion is occurring on the Escape forum. You cannot depend on rooftop panels in the winter months. The angle of the sun is too low. Last year we camped over Christmas in southern New Mexico. We have 400watts of solar on the roof of our camper and a 130watt portable. The portable panel outperformed the roof mounted panels significantly. Even then, all it takes is a bank of high clouds, typical for this time of year, to thwart your best made plans. After a few years of trying to avoid using a gas generator, I've decided that one is necessary for winter boondocking, at least for us, so we purchased one for our winter excursion at the end of January.]]> Thu, 02 Jan 2025 09:10:42 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16110&PID=154131#154131 solar "generator" to charge house batteries : There are many factors. One is... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16110&PID=154130#154130 Author: StephenH
Subject: 16110
Posted: 02 Jan 2025 at 1:03am

There are many factors. One is the charge controller. If it was inexpensive (or what came with your RPod), then it is likely a PWM controller. Trading that out for an MPPT controller is one step, but would still not address the issue of too little solar to charge your battery bank. The "solar generators" are just batteries in fancy cases. You already have a lack of solar to charge the main batteries. The "solar generators" exacerbate the issue. You only have, between then, 52 AH, which is much less than the 200 AH of batteries you would be trying to charge.

You really do need a reliable way to charge the batteries when solar to the panels on the roof is insufficient. Adding a couple of panels such as a Renogy solar suitcase to add more solar for charging would be better. More likely, a dual-fuel generator that you could run on propane would be better since you would not need ot carry gasoline. That is what I do. We also get the batteries charged while driving as I added a dedicated circuit and I do have a Renogy MPPT charge controller that will accept input from the roof solar panels or from the vehicle to charge the 200 AH battery that I have. Since it is a DC to DC charger, it can boost the alternator voltage to fully charge the LiFePO4 battery.

This is the one I use. It is expensive, but worth the price. https://www.renogy.com/dcc50s-12v-50a-dc-dc-on-board-battery-charger-with-mppt/
]]> Thu, 02 Jan 2025 01:03:25 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16110&PID=154130#154130 solar "generator" to charge house batteries : Oh, in case it matters the solar... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16110&PID=154129#154129 Author: EchoGale
Subject: 16110
Posted: 01 Jan 2025 at 3:14pm

Oh, in case it matters the solar generators are 500 watts peak, 12V 26AH, 288 watts, each. They have mostly powered a cpap.
]]> Wed, 01 Jan 2025 15:14:05 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16110&PID=154129#154129 solar "generator" to charge house batteries : Happy New Year! ... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16110&PID=154128#154128 Author: EchoGale
Subject: 16110
Posted: 01 Jan 2025 at 3:09pm

Happy New Year!

I am in the Arizona desert where the days are nice and sunnybut the nights are cold. I expected my camper batteries and my rooftop solar tobe adequate for continuous  boondocking. Theyseem not to be and while I'm looking into a couple of explanations (maybe anissue with the controller charger or it may be the angle of the sun in the SWduring the winter), I have a question about a short term solution so that Idon't need to change my plans over the next two weeks or so.

I have 2 100 AH lifepo batteries and 180 watts of solar onthe roof. I'm mostly running only the fridge and heater, on propane but ofcourse I’m aware that also uses battery power, and all the other things thatrun without me noticing. The solar panels are not fully recharging thebatteries each day so after about 6 days I'm pretty low on power.

I also have with me two relatively small “solar generators” anda dedicated portable solar panel for recharging them that I can move around toface the sun. They are also easily taken to a library or coffee shop where theycharge up rather quickly. They do not have their own 30AMP outlets.

Can I use the solar generators to top off my house batteriesand, if I can, should I use the progressive surge protector or just an adapter?


As always, I much appreciate this forum for smart answers.


Julie

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