Question Solar install

[Joe Dutchstar]

Back to debating to install some solar panels or not. Do I really need solar installed??
We are in Nappanee and speaking with SES regarding a solar install.
Pricing is reasonable.
We typically travel camp ground to campground. The only real benefit is to keep house battery topped up while traveling,
Issue is that if the house battery get low when traveling when we plug in the charger will take most available post power until the Lipo batteries are charged. No AC or cooking etc.
consequently when traveling with house air on we run the generator.
So in reality as long as we don’t boondock the is little real need for solar, but it is nice to have as we discovered in the previous RV.
Thoughts??

 

[osuallen]

Last year we got the whole solar and lithium upgrade from SES. Our primary purpose was to be able to boondock some and reduced generator usage while boondocking. If we are travelling campground to campground, unless we need to exercise the generator, we run the house AC's on solar/battery while driving when it is hot. We do not have any issue with inadequate power due to battery draw when we plug in. Of course your inverter set up may be different than ours.

 

[Neal]

Solar is also beneficial when in for service and not plugged in such as in the parking lot waiting on service. The main reason I got solar as my storage at the time didn't have power, but it's also a good learning experience to better understand electrical. Boondocking such as balloon fiesta and other events. And at times you may want to just enjoy some off grid time even if only a night or two.

You're incorrect in that when your LiFePO4 are charging you can't use anything else. As mentioned before long ago, your charge rate needs to be set properly, i.e. 30A and not 50A. This is no different than non LiFePO4 batteries and your EMS should manage if necessary.