Off grid Camper 1,000 dollars to spend.

[russ]

add a 1000 watt go power inverter ....$110.00

I dont know it all like some but I do know RV set up's done 100's

You have done 100's and did your own like that?

[dkpro1]

...

You have done 100's and did your own like that?

Read it and weep hot shot

numbers dont lie

[dkpro1]

yes

You have done 100's and did your own like that?

mine is done that way only on a much larger scale

[johnar]

Prices sound a lot cheaper where you are. A 90watt panel here is around $230. Bigger gets progressively dearer.


'IF SHTF' 2day, you gotta use what you got.
0n a 90watt panel I got led lights and decent 12v radio for 'more than enough'..
On a sunny day i can run a fan now and then, and even get in an hour on the laptop. (not at the same time tho. )
So, on 1 90watter, i aint got a huge amount of power, but enough for 'essentils', in times of strife.
(I got a genny and a charger for occasional top-ups)
A bigger panel and controller would've been better, but my budget at the time just wouldn't cut it.
Can always add panels in the future. I'm expecting 10-20 years out of my batteries..

[dkpro1]

thought

Prices sound a lot cheaper where you are. A 90watt panel here is around $230. Bigger gets progressively dearer.


'IF SHTF' 2day, you gotta use what you got.
0n a 90watt panel I got led lights and decent 12v radio for 'more than enough'..
On a sunny day i can run a fan now and then, and even get in an hour on the laptop. (not at the same time tho. )
So, on 1 90watter, i aint got a huge amount of power, but enough for 'essentils', in times of strife.
(I got a genny and a charger for occasional top-ups)
A bigger panel and controller would've been better, but my budget at the time just wouldn't cut it.
Can always add panels in the future. I'm expecting 10-20 years out of my batteries..

you had a 1000 bucks

[johnar]

you had a 1000 bucks

Na. Just scraped it together, bit by bit, as i could,

[SunEagle]

Prices sound a lot cheaper where you are. A 90watt panel here is around $230. Bigger gets progressively dearer.


'IF SHTF' 2day, you gotta use what you got.
0n a 90watt panel I got led lights and decent 12v radio for 'more than enough'..
On a sunny day i can run a fan now and then, and even get in an hour on the laptop. (not at the same time tho. )
So, on 1 90watter, i aint got a huge amount of power, but enough for 'essentils', in times of strife.
(I got a genny and a charger for occasional top-ups)
A bigger panel and controller would've been better, but my budget at the time just wouldn't cut it.
Can always add panels in the future. I'm expecting 10-20 years out of my batteries..

Actually the cost of those low wattage < 150 can cost about $2 per watt but when you go bigger with a "grid tie" panel at higher wattage the price comes down to about $1 per watt.

I made the mistake of getting 3 80 watt and 2 90 watt panels for 420 watts total and spent about $850. I could have gotten 2 250 watt panels or 500 watts for about $500. I just didn't come to this website first and learn before I bought. I know better now.

[johnar]

higher wattage = lower price

Actually the cost of those low wattage < 150 can cost about $2 per watt but when you go bigger with a "grid tie" panel at higher wattage the price comes down to about $1 per watt.

I made the mistake of getting 3 80 watt and 2 90 watt panels for 420 watts total and spent about $850. I could have gotten 2 250 watt panels or 500 watts for about $500. I just didn't come to this website first and learn before I bought. I know better now.

Thanks for that SunEagle, Good to know. Will remember that. Cheers

[MrTanaka]

get one 180 watt grid panel... $150.00
get one Moriningstar mppt sun saver....$220.00
get two T105's.....$280.00


them you have something

Hello I'm new to the forums and to solar power and have to admit this is all very confusing lol Although the info on this subject seems to unlimited my grasp of this knowledge isn't as good as it should or could be.

I have some of similar type questions on this topic of what type of system I would need to do the simple things I have in mind. What I'm trying to do is pretty basic at least in my mind but as stated above I haven't quite gotten the grasp of solar power and how to configure a system.

What I'm trying to do is simply charge/run tablet/laptop perhaps power a small RV type fridge or DC Coleman type electric cooler, DC fans, modem/router and if possible perhaps a DirectTV box.

Is the above config by dkpro1 sufficent for that? Is it overkill? If so what should a system be comprised of for my needs?

Not looking for the cheapest or the most expensive items but just a good middle range system Thanks

[russ]

Hello I'm new to the forums

Welcome to Solar Panel Talk!

You would do good to ignore the posts you referenced - he is no longer with us. A whole lot of feel good there without a lot of accuracy. I expect some of the guys will chip in to assist you.

You will need accurate consumption figures for all the items you want to run - how many watts/kW per day they will really consume.

[MrTanaka]

Thanks for the heads up Russ and I've included the info you asked for. Hope it's sufficient but if not let me know what else you'd need.

I know the tablet is 40 watts and it charges with 110 not DC in about 1.5 to 2 hrs and will run approx 10 so once a day on that would suffice. DC fan I was looking at is approx 13 watts. The Coleman cooler appears to be approx 48 watts. DirecTV box according to website is approx 19 watts and would certainly not be used all day. Netgear router is approx 12 watts and wouldn't be used all day either Modem is approx 7 watts and same as router would not be used all day Since these are used with 110 ac adapters an inverter would be needed. 1000 watt unit good enough?

Wasn't kidding when I said this was all new to me lol Thanks very much for your quick reply Russ

[Sunking]

Thanks for the heads up Russ and I've included the info you asked for. Hope it's sufficient but if not let me know what else you'd need.

I know the tablet is 40 watts and it charges with 110 not DC in about 1.5 to 2 hrs and will run approx 10 so once a day on that would suffice. DC fan I was looking at is approx 13 watts. The Coleman cooler appears to be approx 48 watts. DirecTV box according to website is approx 19 watts and would certainly not be used all day. Netgear router is approx 12 watts and wouldn't be used all day either Modem is approx 7 watts and same as router would not be used all day Since these are used with 110 ac adapters an inverter would be needed. 1000 watt unit good enough?

Wasn't kidding when I said this was all new to me lol Thanks very much for your quick reply Russ

Is this for an RV setup? If so how often will it be driven when using power?

If driven everyday when using power no solar is needed. All you would need is a Battery Isolator, aux batteries, and an Inverter. The alternator can doo all the charging when the engine is running.

The largest challenge is the cooler. You can add a 200-250 watt panel and MPPT charge controller to supplement the alternator. Just keep in mind the engine running for 30 minutes will generate more energy than a 200 watt panel can generate in several days.

[MrTanaka]

Hi Sunking This would be for an RV type setting but not a driving scenario Just a parked off grid type of thing.

[MrTanaka]

Just wondering if the below will get me close to where I'd like to be and if not what would you suggest (I know kits probably aren't the best way to go but just a starting point really)

http://www.renogy-store.com/100-watt-solar-panel-kit-p/kit-starter100d.htm

http://www.batterystuff.com/batterie...batteries.html (Know I'll need at least 2 of these in series correct?)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...d=AWZ3LXPHZK09 (Know its kinda low end but again just a reference point)

[SunEagle]

Just wondering if the below will get me close to where I'd like to be and if not what would you suggest (I know kits probably aren't the best way to go but just a starting point really)

http://www.renogy-store.com/100-watt-solar-panel-kit-p/kit-starter100d.htm

See the problem with most of those kits is the cheap charge controller that comes with them. Even though the panel is rated 100 watts that PWM charge controller won't deliver more than 66% or about 66 watts maximum and even less in most cases.

You end up spending a lot and get back very little. You can add another 100 watt panel at $2/watt but still only add another 66 watts to the system.

Start with a 250 watt panel and with a MPPT type charger you will be able to expand your system if needed as well as put almost 100% of your panel wattage to use.