Going Solar

[wichowskim]

I am looking into going solar this spring and am looking for suggestions/ pricing. I am most likely looking into something around 200 watt.

[Stingray75]

Welcome to JOF wichowskim. Without knowing how you intend to sister on solar, kinda hard to fifer specifics on what to do. What trailer do you have? Is it “solar ready”? Will you be boomdocking for weeks at a time or just looking to maintain a battery? Renogy offers several RV packages that are pretty good.

https://www.renogy.com/solar-kits/rv-van/

Again, welcome. We’d like to hear more about your install and see pictures.

[campin]

Originally Posted by Stingray75

Welcome to JOF wichowskim. Without knowing how you intend to sister on solar, kinda hard to fifer specifics on what to do. What trailer do you have? ...

If it’s a Pinnacle, the 200 watt system may power critical loads, a backup to generator and shore power. That’s my guess.

[bankr63]

I agree with @Stingray75 that Renogy makes some nice full kits at good prices.

I assume you have already done the load calculations to come up with the 200W requirement. If not, share and several here will help calculate your requirement. Also, your choice of battery type comes into play. Lead Acid of all types (flooded, AGM) don't support the needs of many solar installs. Lithium technology batteries will go further if you have high demands.

How do you plan to use them? Or what is your camping style? I use a portable panel mostly because we camp primarily in State/Provincial parks with heavy tree cover. If the panels were roof mounted we would lose a ton of solar generation because the panels would be in shade most of the time. A portable kit with longish extension allows me to move the panels a few times a day to follow the sun patches around the site.

If you are going to camp primarily BLM in Arizona, that's not a consideration at all and roof mount is fine. Your usual encampment will determine the placement, and cost/complexity of installation.