-
Coach storage
DT,You asked for some help using solar to keep your batteries charged while the coach is in storage. In keeping with the spirit of Prevost Community sharing, I’ll answer here to open the opportunity for better, more current answers than I can give.You said you store the coach where there’s no shore power, so you run the generator or move it to plug in to charge batteries, then store it for another couple weeks. You found a 500 watt portable solar system (https://inergytek.com/) with an inverter you can simply plug your 30 amp coach plug into for $2,950.00.First off, I feel the nearly $3K system you’re looking at is a lot more than you need to spend. Solar panels now sell for around $.75 per watt. You probably don’t need more than a couple panels and a charge controller to keep the house batteries charged. In my opinion, leaving the fridge running is an expensive liability. Empty it and leave the doors open… no danger of spoiled food (yuk!). It really doesn’t take that long to cool down. Storage is simpler without the need to generate 115 volt power (inverters increase the load).My coach is different in that my house battery bank (8 x 8D Lifeline AGM’s) is set up at 24 volts with an equalizer to keep the two halves balanced when I pull the 12 volt loads from one half. When plugged into 115v, the 4kw inverter/charger (also on 24v) charges the house batteries, then charges the chassis batteries through a Xantrex digital echo charger ( http://www.xantrex.com/power-products/power-accessories/auxiliary-battery-charger.aspx ). The solar panels mounted on the awning supports are paired for 24v as well, so they do the same without shore power. An RV Power Products charge controller keeps the batteries from being overcharged. The advantage to this system is that I can start the coach from the house batteries and use my 24v/270amp alternator to directly recharge them.You can leave an inverter on to power your 115v chassis battery charger (24v output), but when the sun isn’t shining, it will be drawing your 12v house batteries down. I’d opt for a couple small panels and another charge controller dedicated to charging the chassis batteries. By running the wires down your refrigerator vent, you can avoid drilling holes in the roof. Even if you’re not planning on dry camping as I did, three or four solar panels permanently mounted will let you give up those storage worries forever. ‘Hope this helps. -
3 Replies
-
Thanks for your input Ron.
I was looking at the Inergy system from convenience / plug and play stand point with minimal work on the coach and possibility of using the solar gen on other applications if / when needed.
Not really concerned about chassis batteries, they hold OK for a while(between our summer trips when they get fully charged while plugged in) but the charger idea is good.
Permanent solar panels and chargers install would be ideal, (looking into it with couple RV solar specialists) if it all works out without inducing more issues to the coach. Although expensive, this Inergy solar gen could be used just as plug in at the campground. Sunlight should not be a concern during summer months and if an issue there is also the Autogen…
The search continues…
-
I had a portable solar system at one time, but couldn’t get past the concerns about someone walking off with it. Roof mounting is pretty simple (photo attached). I used 1″ aluminum tubes across the roof from one awning support to the opposite one. They’ve been strong enough, but 1″x 2″ aluminum might be better. My panels hold down an extra 3″ of roof insulation, so they don’t have any vertical oscillation. Wedging a block of foam under the center of a panel would serve the same purpose. It’s easy enough to run two wires down to a charge controller, then to the house batteries, but you get to make the final decision on your coach. If you run into more questions, just ask. Others here may have found even more innovative ways to run wires or mount panels.
-
Solar powerhouse…at least 8 x100 panels…was thinking of mounting the panels on the awning brackets but with extruded aluminum square or rectangular for easier installation depending on panels mounting brackets or slots. Worth looking into it for my application, I am sure I will more questions, thanks Ron
Log in to reply.