Solar Kit - Is this a good thing?

[MrAlvinDude]

But startup could require 1000+w when sizing an inverter.

Yes, motors always use more energy (in the first second or so) when they start, but a nominal 400W inverter will plenty be able start a 175W smoothie maker.
As the start load of electric motors are a know issue for inverter makers, they will always design their inverter so it can typically do twice the official nominal watt number for a short time. So an inverter will also have an official max peak watt number. 

Why try to scare off a novice user with such trivia?

 

[frater secessus]

so what battery would you buy to support 200 watts solar?  that's what I need to know.

Answer:  two 6v golf cart batteries wired in series.  Here's why.  

I understand the desire for a simple answer.  The problem is that simple answers are often wrong, and never suited to a particular person's needs.

These links may help you find your footing:

• a list of working 200w configurations.  Many list the battery type, and some the brand and model.
• a gentle intro to solar

 

[RV-Hopeful]

Thanks everyone for all the great information. It's been wonderful and I've learned a lot! I think in planning for "future use" I've created a stopping block for myself. I now think I should to just get to the RTR with SOME kind solar to charge my phone, run 12v fans, maybe some lights (I have 2 inflatable solar lights in my Amazon basket) - not sure what else I may need for a month on the road but some things will take care of themselves. With only a month left to prepare I'm in a constant state of overload in planning (mostly just overthinking!).

I just started making my bed yesterday and I think I need to focus on getting the minor living elements handled - as usual I tried to figure out the whole plan rather than just starting ... I'll be back to this link as the information has made quite a difference in my journey to understand solar.

 

[Bohemian scout]

Thanks everyone for all the great information.  It's been wonderful and I've learned a lot!  I think in planning for "future use" I've created a stopping block for myself.  I now think I should to just get to the RTR with SOME kind solar to charge my phone, run 12v fans, maybe some lights (I have 2 inflatable solar lights in my Amazon basket) - not sure what else I may need for a month on the road but some things will take care of themselves.  With only a month left to prepare I'm in a constant state of overload in planning (mostly just overthinking!).

I just started making my bed yesterday and I think I need to focus on getting the minor living elements handled - as usual I tried to figure out the whole plan rather than just starting ...  I'll be back to this link as the information has made quite a difference in my journey to understand solar.

A stopping block....I like that! Same thing happened to me. Too much info and conflicting information to sift through, ahhhhhhhhhh overload!!!!!!! I want to spend more time digesting and understanding but I’ve got so much other stuff going on also. You don’t have to have solar to start traveling.  I did 3 months with 2 ice chests, charged my devices with my vans 12 volt plug and led battery lights. Basically I used my van as a tent, slept on a cot, had a warm sleeping bag, a Coleman one burner, simple food and my clothes for all types of weather. It was awesome! Loved every minute of it! Good luck, maybe we’ll meet at RTR, I need a identifying flag to fly....hmmmmm peace sign or tie dye?

 

[RV-Hopeful]

A stopping block....I like that! Same thing happened to me. Too much info and conflicting information to sift through, ahhhhhhhhhh overload!!!!!!! I want to spend more time digesting and understanding but I’ve got so much other stuff going on also. You don’t have to have solar to start traveling.  I did 3 months with 2 ice chests, charged my devices with my vans 12 volt plug and led battery lights. Basically I used my van as a tent, slept on a cot, had a warm sleeping bag, a Coleman one burner, simple food and my clothes for all types of weather. It was awesome! Loved every minute of it! Good luck, maybe we’ll meet at RTR, I need a identifying flag to fly....hmmmmm peace sign or tie dye?

I'd like to meet up with you, I'll be the one with a dog in a stroller as she is blind!  I know we don't have to have solar to travel, heck my ex and I primitive camped for years (got real familiar with the bush bathroom) and I know I can do anything for a month but in spending the money for "just getting by" I always think "gee, with a little more planning I could do it all" and then I forget that I'm not who I used to be and BOOM overthinking/overwhelm. (urg - chuckle) I'll get to the RTR and it will be GRAND!

 

[Bohemian scout]

I'd like to meet up with you, I'll be the one with a dog in a stroller as she is blind!  I know we don't have to have solar to travel, heck my ex and I primitive camped for years (got real familiar with the bush bathroom) and I know I can do anything for a month but in spending the money for "just getting by" I always think "gee, with a little more planning I could do it all" and then I forget that I'm not who I used to be and BOOM overthinking/overwhelm. (urg - chuckle) I'll get to the RTR and it will be GRAND!

I totally understand! See you at RTR!

 

[frater secessus]

[quote pid='351081' dateline='1511395823']
Eventually I want to grow to 400 Watts - can I buy a battery now that would support the 100W and grow with the 400 W expansion or do you have to have a battery per 100W panel?

[/quote]

If I were starting with 100w of solar and going to 400w I would do it this way:

Phase 1

• 100w panel
• 30A MPPT charge controller or 40A PWM controller
• Two 6v deep cycles in series.  Theoretically this is too much battery for the panel, so add in...
• alternator charging using a $20 relay and some heavy cable.

If you do any driving at all in the mornings and pick the more $$$ MPPT controller that setup really might be all you ever need (particularly if you are stingy with power). Without the alt charging it'd be too much battery for the panel, risking undercharging and eventual battery murder.


Phase 2

• increase to 400w of panel

Now the battery bank is optimally overpaneled 2:1 for solar charging and alternator charging is gravy.  In the rare cases 400w of panel actually put out 400w that would be just over 30A.  The MPPT controller can clamp down on the power but PWM can't, hence the "bigger" PWM controller.

 

[Bohemian scout]

Ugggh!  more double posts...

Ugggh! Be more patient...

 

[frater secessus]

LOL.  Referring to my own double post.

I was getting caught in CRVL's hosting service's YOU ARE A BAD PERSON detectors and it was stopping me from replying.  Or it looked that way.  When I was finally allowed back in my reply had actually been posted twice.

 

[MrAlvinDude]

And  175W  x  0.083 hour =  2.9Wh

Hmm... no it is not. I don't know what buttons I had been pushing on the calculator, but 

And  175W  x  0.083 hour (is actually) =  14.58Wh

14.58Wh from a 12V battery translates to Ah as: 14.58Wh / 12V  = 1.22Ah

With a max of 30% loss in the inverter, this results in about 1.3 x 1.22Ah = 1.6Ah
to run a 175W  smoothie maker for 5 minutes. 


I thought it better to clear up the numbers, if someone were to read them in the future.

 

[MrAlvinDude]

With only a month left to prepare I'm in a constant state of overload in planning (mostly just overthinking!).

I just started making my bed yesterday and I think I need to focus on getting the minor living elements handled...

Hi RV-Hopeful, 
how are your preparations going? 


Here is a thought: 
What if you bring your computer and other electric appliances with you to the RTR?
Someone might have a kill-a-watt meter there, so they can help you measure the actual consumption of your devices. 

This would give you very detailed information, so it would be easier for you to figure out your next step. 


Also, someone might have a 400W inverter where they would let you plug in your appliances, so you could get a live test to see if a 400W modified sine wave inverter would actually work for you.  Or if you might be better off getting a 300W pure sine wave inverter. 


Either way, if you bring your things with you, real and live tests are possible. So, just a thought.

 

[Burbanlife]

The wife and I are planning on going to the RTR, I will bring my kill a watt meter.

 

[RV-Hopeful]

At this juncture, I'm just bringing my cell and 12v dryer ... Solar will have to wait until later in the game. I'm not planning to hit the road until June and who knows what can happen between now and then! Thanks for your kindness and wonderful information. 8+)