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.

 

[Joe Dutchstar]

Neal, you are correct once again, thank you for reminding me of the 30amp charging setting. Currently set to 50A, oops,
In any event I’m schedule for a roof full of solar at SES on October 2nd.
Not sure which installer will do the work but it will get done.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

For you! Probably not worth it. For someone like me? Worth it. I full time, very conservative. Didn't go to a high-end shop for install. Have you calculated break even? My guess the 4th owner might see benefits, that is if the install requires no corrections to the system when the company finishes the installation.

My question would be, how much diesel would you need to burn to break even?

I advocate solar for full time users, who do their own work. They of course don't worry about bragging rights.

 

[Richpatty]

For you! Probably not worth it. For someone like me? Worth it. I full time, very conservative. Didn't go to a high-end shop for install. Have you calculated break even? My guess the 4th owner might see benefits, that is if the install requires no corrections to the system when the company finishes the installation.

My question would be, how much diesel would you need to burn to break even?

I advocate solar for full time users, who do their own work. They of course don't worry about bragging rights.

Maybe Joe just wants solar for the extra charging and convenience and does not care about break even…. Would that be OK?

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Maybe Joe just wants solar for the extra charging and convenience and does not care about break even…. Would that be OK?

Of course! But if a man asks for an opinion! Well! I have one.

 

[Joe Dutchstar]

Neal’s point about service is right on point. When we took the coach in to Cummins last year the next day service happened 7 days later. No plug in available. Batteries were quite low and shut themselves off. When we went to pickup, had to run the generator just to use the wheelchair lift to get in.
Royal PITA.
Solar would have covered the situation nicely.

 

[Joe Dutchstar]

Typically I do not use the AGS if there is the possibility of the coach being in an inside workspace for an extended period of time. So no the AGS was not active.
Potentially filling a closed up workshop with diesel fumes would be very bad.