Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 12-23-2017, 10:26 AM   #1
Family Vacation Member
 
morphrider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Colorado
Posts: 220
Solar beginnings

Since end of camping season I have been doing research on going solar. Have been gathering wires and controller as I have seen them on local CL. Have all the wire, Renogy PWM Wanderer controller, fuses and today I couldn't pass up the deal of the day on panels. I grabbed 4 Renogy Mono panels for $400. 2 will go to the in law for his shop or camper and I will put 1 on top of my Z-1 and the other will be tied in to move around on trips I camp in shade. Can't wait for warm spring to get here and start the install.

This site has been helpful looking over all the ways you fellow campers have installed yours. When I get going on install I will post pics and progress to hopefully help others out as well.
__________________
2015 Z-218TD (sold)
2001 6.0 2500HD Gasser (sold)
2009 Ram 2500 6.7 QCLB Cummins Power
2019 Grand Design Imagine 2800bh
morphrider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-23-2017, 06:59 PM   #2
Weekend Camper
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: VA
Posts: 33
Looking forward to hearing about your progress!
__________________
2016 Zinger Rezerve 28bh pulled by a 2016 Chevy Silverado 3500HD.
rolls fam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-26-2017, 05:59 PM   #3
Family Vacation Member
 
morphrider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Colorado
Posts: 220
Well, I am also going to go the better battery route. The cheap exide hybrid battery that came with our unit in 2015 combined with a much older battery I put in just don't cut it anymore. That and if I am going solar to maintain, why not be happy with my investment? I reached out to a local golf car dealer and discussed the T-105. Like most of you who already switched over, I will as well. Will pick up 2 and install at the same time as the solar install this spring. I bet April will be the soonest I can start, but Colorado has wonky weather at times.
__________________
2015 Z-218TD (sold)
2001 6.0 2500HD Gasser (sold)
2009 Ram 2500 6.7 QCLB Cummins Power
2019 Grand Design Imagine 2800bh
morphrider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-26-2017, 06:47 PM   #4
Site Team
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,153
When I did my solar system I put the T-105 6V in. I wish I would have went to the T-125 or T-145. Either one is way heavier then the T-105, but has a lot more juice.
Lloyd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-26-2017, 06:55 PM   #5
Family Vacation Member
 
morphrider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Colorado
Posts: 220
How many batteries are you running Lloyd? I thought about the t-125 as well, only couple pounds heavier but same dimensions. By using solar I don't anticipate them ever going through a deep cycle of charging. I still have time to make my mind numb dissecting the pros and cons of each. Either route I travel will be better than the one I am on.
__________________
2015 Z-218TD (sold)
2001 6.0 2500HD Gasser (sold)
2009 Ram 2500 6.7 QCLB Cummins Power
2019 Grand Design Imagine 2800bh
morphrider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-26-2017, 07:04 PM   #6
Site Team
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,153
Two 6V
I only have one 135 watt panel. On a long stay in the fall with out electric, I have to start running the genny to keep the batteries up. As it gets later into the fall, the arc of the sun starts to drift south. I even made brackets so I could raise one side of the panel to get a better angle on the sun. That and it starts getting colder and the furnace, lights and everything else has to run more. I guess I just need another panel.
Lloyd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-26-2017, 09:47 PM   #7
Full Time Camper
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DFW, TexUS
Posts: 1,032
Our coach probably has a lot more draw, but I went with 4 t-105's and now wish I had gone with the 145's or L-16's as the one solar panel and the batteries just can't keep up...

Do have a nice 3 stage controller that can handle more panels, just waiting until spring to add to it.
__________________
johnboytoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-27-2017, 04:19 PM   #8
Family Vacation Member
 
morphrider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Colorado
Posts: 220
Well considering one 12 volt battery is marked as a 2011 model and the other is an exide from buying the camper in 2015 with a total of best case of 160 amp hours, whatever batteries I do get will be a significant improvement.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
__________________
2015 Z-218TD (sold)
2001 6.0 2500HD Gasser (sold)
2009 Ram 2500 6.7 QCLB Cummins Power
2019 Grand Design Imagine 2800bh
morphrider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-27-2017, 06:48 PM   #9
Site Team
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,153
I can understand where you are coming from. Money doesn't grow on trees, and when you have a family to take of it's sometimes pretty hard to justify spending the extra money. All I can say is, I wish when I did it, I would have went with the bigger Trojans.

The furnace is the biggest amp hog you have.
I even went to one of these to help preserve my batteries.

Lloyd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2017, 04:40 PM   #10
Family Vacation Member
 
morphrider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Colorado
Posts: 220
I have been talking to a few local solar installers around here. They can get me the 105's for $120 a piece, the 145's for $230 a piece. They also mention the $$ per amp is not worth going the 145 route without more panels. Both stated (2) 100 watt panels and (2) T-105's are the sweet spot. We don't camp but maybe once in the spring and once in the fall using the heater and we do have a generator.

Lloyd, I greatly appreciate your input but like you said it's costly. Will get a battery disconnect switch as well. I assume I need more wire for that? Tie it into the ground? Can someone post a good pic please?
__________________
2015 Z-218TD (sold)
2001 6.0 2500HD Gasser (sold)
2009 Ram 2500 6.7 QCLB Cummins Power
2019 Grand Design Imagine 2800bh
morphrider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2017, 05:40 PM   #11
Family Vacation Member
 
morphrider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Colorado
Posts: 220
Googled...I know what I want to do now. Will post pics as it goes, but it will be a few months.
__________________
2015 Z-218TD (sold)
2001 6.0 2500HD Gasser (sold)
2009 Ram 2500 6.7 QCLB Cummins Power
2019 Grand Design Imagine 2800bh
morphrider is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Crossroads RV or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:18 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
×