I am getting really interested in doing something with Solar and want to start with my Travel Trailer. Initially I thought it would be great to be able to "Dry
Camp" for days and use the AC, Microwave etc... but soon realized I would need another trailer to haul the battery bank required for such a thing.
So now I am concerned with basics such as 12VDC systems (Lighting,Refrigerator & Water Heater ignition) and for AC ( Laptop, Phone, TV and limited Microwave usage, potentially Refrigerator on AC and not LP and/or Water Heater on AC not LP as an option in a pinch)
I believe I have consumed enough information to understand everything except "Battery Storage". I have read a lot in this forum and others and understand enough to know what to do for bank sizing, setup, etc. But my concern is, which type should I invest in and for that type, I want to understand exactly how to monitor, service and take care of, in order to maximize whatever I end up spending on them.
Almost everyone suggest SLA or True Deep Cycle, but I started wondering about the fact of travel and availability of replacing something that I would typically have to order. I like the Idea of using something that I can grab off the shelf at some Auto Parts store or near by Wal-Mart... and if SHTF I can grab something that is more readily found near by, especially near a lake for a hybrid battery.
So am I thinking wrong? Should I really spend 30 to 60% more money on something like a Trojan Flooded or SLA large capacity?
What I do understand about a Hybrid (which might be wrong?) is if I wanted to power my water heater at large DC Amp rates, the Hybrid sorta handles the surge and demand for short periods of time very well? The Refrigerator Compressor and Water Heater Elements are significant AMP users, however they are not running for long periods of time. They run for 5-10 minutes per cycle and the number of cycles depends on the usage and outside temp.
So I really wonder if I would be really saving money on the advantage of Availability and Cost if I use a Hybrid, or will I find myself replacing frequently enough due to not servicing correctly or the inherited limited cycle life etc?
Does anyone have experience in the RV/Travel Trailer RE usage that has been there done that?
Camp" for days and use the AC, Microwave etc... but soon realized I would need another trailer to haul the battery bank required for such a thing.
So now I am concerned with basics such as 12VDC systems (Lighting,Refrigerator & Water Heater ignition) and for AC ( Laptop, Phone, TV and limited Microwave usage, potentially Refrigerator on AC and not LP and/or Water Heater on AC not LP as an option in a pinch)
I believe I have consumed enough information to understand everything except "Battery Storage". I have read a lot in this forum and others and understand enough to know what to do for bank sizing, setup, etc. But my concern is, which type should I invest in and for that type, I want to understand exactly how to monitor, service and take care of, in order to maximize whatever I end up spending on them.
Almost everyone suggest SLA or True Deep Cycle, but I started wondering about the fact of travel and availability of replacing something that I would typically have to order. I like the Idea of using something that I can grab off the shelf at some Auto Parts store or near by Wal-Mart... and if SHTF I can grab something that is more readily found near by, especially near a lake for a hybrid battery.
So am I thinking wrong? Should I really spend 30 to 60% more money on something like a Trojan Flooded or SLA large capacity?
What I do understand about a Hybrid (which might be wrong?) is if I wanted to power my water heater at large DC Amp rates, the Hybrid sorta handles the surge and demand for short periods of time very well? The Refrigerator Compressor and Water Heater Elements are significant AMP users, however they are not running for long periods of time. They run for 5-10 minutes per cycle and the number of cycles depends on the usage and outside temp.
So I really wonder if I would be really saving money on the advantage of Availability and Cost if I use a Hybrid, or will I find myself replacing frequently enough due to not servicing correctly or the inherited limited cycle life etc?
Does anyone have experience in the RV/Travel Trailer RE usage that has been there done that?
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