18 months of solar on our RV
To give you an idea as to what to expect from (1) 250watt panel and a MorningStar 60Amp MPPT controller and (2) Trojan T145 260Ah batteries, after 18 months the MorningStar MPPT output shows 10061.8Ah, 134kWh to date (Panel is mounted flat on the roof).
At .12 a kW that comes out to around $16 in electrical savings, if you're counting and an investment of somewhere in the area of $1500.
So what does it cost?
Not exact, but the prices are close….
1 - ($350) 250 Watt Solar Panel
1 - ($500) MorningStar 60 Amp MPPT Charge Controller (converts 30+ panel volts to 12VDC RV system)
1 - ($300) PSI - Inverter (1500 Watts)
4 - ($400) Trojan T145 6volt batteries (260Ah)
(Misc, ANL fuses, wire.....)
When we dry camp (just the basic essentials of life, TV, Radio, Charge laptops, smart phones, tablets, vent fans and LED lights). The above setup gets us through the dry camping, but we still need to keep one eye on the battery levels. [PART OF A SOLAR LIFESTYLE]
So if you can survive without AC, Microwaves (other than warming up a cup of java, mid-day), and a few other things, the above system will work.
We plan to add one more panel and 2 more batteries after our camping season ends in December.
That will give us a little more cushion.
So if you’re looking to save $$$, solar RVing is not the way to go. A generator or tow vehicle charging will last a long time on $1500.
Just my thoughts,
Don
2013 Jayco Eagle 284BHS
250Watt Grape Solar Panel, MorningStar MPPT 60 Charge Controller
2 Trojan T145 Batteries (AH @ 20 HR Rate 260)
1500 Watt Ramsond PSI,
2 - AirSight Wireless IP Cameras (used as rear view cameras)
EnGenius WI-FI extender, D-Link wireless modem (n)
MagicJack Internet Phone
2012 Ford F150XLT, EcoBoost w/3.73
157" Wheel base, HD Towing Package
Our Solar RV Album http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/album.php? albumid=145
To give you an idea as to what to expect from (1) 250watt panel and a MorningStar 60Amp MPPT controller and (2) Trojan T145 260Ah batteries, after 18 months the MorningStar MPPT output shows 10061.8Ah, 134kWh to date (Panel is mounted flat on the roof).
At .12 a kW that comes out to around $16 in electrical savings, if you're counting and an investment of somewhere in the area of $1500.
So what does it cost?
Not exact, but the prices are close….
1 - ($350) 250 Watt Solar Panel
1 - ($500) MorningStar 60 Amp MPPT Charge Controller (converts 30+ panel volts to 12VDC RV system)
1 - ($300) PSI - Inverter (1500 Watts)
4 - ($400) Trojan T145 6volt batteries (260Ah)
(Misc, ANL fuses, wire.....)
When we dry camp (just the basic essentials of life, TV, Radio, Charge laptops, smart phones, tablets, vent fans and LED lights). The above setup gets us through the dry camping, but we still need to keep one eye on the battery levels. [PART OF A SOLAR LIFESTYLE]
So if you can survive without AC, Microwaves (other than warming up a cup of java, mid-day), and a few other things, the above system will work.
We plan to add one more panel and 2 more batteries after our camping season ends in December.
That will give us a little more cushion.
So if you’re looking to save $$$, solar RVing is not the way to go. A generator or tow vehicle charging will last a long time on $1500.
Just my thoughts,
Don
2013 Jayco Eagle 284BHS
250Watt Grape Solar Panel, MorningStar MPPT 60 Charge Controller
2 Trojan T145 Batteries (AH @ 20 HR Rate 260)
1500 Watt Ramsond PSI,
2 - AirSight Wireless IP Cameras (used as rear view cameras)
EnGenius WI-FI extender, D-Link wireless modem (n)
MagicJack Internet Phone
2012 Ford F150XLT, EcoBoost w/3.73
157" Wheel base, HD Towing Package
Our Solar RV Album http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/album.php? albumid=145
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