Solar 160 w? vs Dual 6V Lifeline AGM batteries? why is the solar costly? - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Tech > Escape Systems | Water, Waste, Charging & Propane
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 09-21-2015, 02:56 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: no fixed address, California
Trailer: 2017-21' Escape (sold) Casita 17' (sold)
Posts: 1,348
Question Solar 160 w? vs Dual 6V Lifeline AGM batteries? why is the solar costly?

Solar 160 w? vs Dual 6V Lifeline AGM batteries?

About to order our 21’ Escape! Getting started on planning our build sheet…

I myself intensely dislike hydrometers and sulfuric acid…. so I upgraded the stock (1 stage) Casita power “brain” (Parallax Power Supply Lower Section 7345 Converter) to a fancier one. (PROGRESSIVE DYNAMICS ) then installed a sealed AGM Lifeline GPL-27T battery. Sealed, high performance. Works great!

My question is…. this is a $300 battery (ouch)

should i just get ONE for our 21’ escape, and save up for the roof top solar add on ($850) ?

or get TWO 6 v plus the solar panels? (or is that overkill?)

we do like boondocking……. but we do not need the inverter, and don’t need to use 120v at all when boondocking. Just fridge on propane, occasional furnace on propane, LED lights… not much….

oh and any guesses as to why the solar add on is $850? That seems like a LOT...... i know the panels and the electronics are not very much...... seems a bit overpriced? Surprising to me when I see a fair price for mostly all the other mods. What am I missing?

thanks for any thoughts.
Losangeles is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2015, 06:55 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
There is nothing wrong with installing the AGM battery but I'd wait until the stock dual sixers nead to be replaced. The 6 volts are have thicker cells and will last a long time. True once a year you some some water but other than that they are maintenance free. Another issue is size, dual 27 AGM's may not fit. Definitely a good match up with the stock solar.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2015, 07:47 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Jim Bennett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,532
I don't think it is a matter of dual 6V vs solar, but a balance of what your needs are.

If you have adequate solar collection on a daily basis, I would think a single 12V would be adequate, especially if you don't need an inverter. I am thinking of going this route, but still thinking.....

If you were a heavy power user, and used an inverter regularly, you might want to increase your storage to allow for these periods of higher draw.

Still, having dual 6V to me seems like fairly cheap insurance to ensure you do not run out of power on an extremely cold night, when the daytime skies might be constantly overcast. Worse case scenario, but you know it will happen if you are not prepared.

I haven't yet looked at costs for available solar, but if you would rather build in your own system, that is an option later. The labour would certainly be cheaper.

Regarding flooded vs AGM, there is no doubt that the AGM is better, but the 6V flooded seem to work just great, and checking the levels once or twice a year, is no big deal, so I will likely opt to save a few bucks there.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
Jim Bennett is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2015, 10:24 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: ESCAPE #3 COMING - 19 FT
Posts: 277
I wud go with dual 6v and 1 solar panel.
ken
__________________
ESCAPE #3, 19FT ON ORDER
TV - NOT YET, THINKING RIDGELINE OR F150
KEN AND DIANA, CALGARY
kvermeulen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2015, 10:29 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Greg A's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Seventy Degrees"
Posts: 3,495
Battery capacity is the foundation of a good off-grid system, so the dual 6V was an easy decision for us. The flooded battery's have always worked fine for us, so have never considered going to the price point for AGM's. The $850 for solar installation is right inline for having it professionally installed, but when you pay for it with the current exchange rate in USD it's a great price. I would like tilt capability on the panel rather than a fixed mount, but may mod that in after the fact.
Greg A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2015, 11:20 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: no fixed address, California
Trailer: 2017-21' Escape (sold) Casita 17' (sold)
Posts: 1,348
Thanks everyone for the good thoughts....

I already own a Honda 2000 that I modded (with a kit) to run on propane (and it works great!)

and I already own a portable solar panel (with an long optional cord, to place the panels where there is sun - as in a forest....)

so perhaps a better use of $ and weight would be to have ETI add a way to tap my portable solar panels into their solar system......



that would be the best setup for us, i think.


Losangeles is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2015, 11:26 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Rangeley, Maine
Trailer: 2005 Escape 17B Sold 2016. 2016 Escape 19 Sold 2019. 2019 Escape 21 picked up Sep 2019
Posts: 173
Quote:
Originally Posted by Losangeles View Post
I already own a Honda 2000 that I modded (with a kit) to run on propane (and it works great!)
Wow... cool! I didn't know that was possible!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Losangeles View Post
so perhaps a better use of $ and weight would be to have ETI add a way to tap my portable solar panels into their solar system.
That's what I'm going to do. I don't have a portable solar panel, but want the option to easily add one later.
sallemann is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2015, 11:27 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
or leave the generator at home, get the factory package with dual sixers and have them install a tap for your portable panel. Other than a/c, you would not need a generator.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2015, 11:29 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
santacruzer's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Santa Cruz, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19
Posts: 755
Adding a portable solar panel to the existing installation isn't a problem. I have the 160 watt panel, and had ETI place the charge controller close to where I intend to bring in the wire for the portable unit at a later date. You can either connect direct to the batteries, or through the charge controller.
__________________
2019 Tundra CrewMax Limited TRD 4WD
2014 Escape 19
santacruzer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2015, 11:48 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: no fixed address, California
Trailer: 2017-21' Escape (sold) Casita 17' (sold)
Posts: 1,348
Honda 2000 propane gas conversion:

A few different make conversion kits... and after a bunch of research I went with Propane carbs: 1-877-425-8383

It was a little fiddly to do myself - but someone who was more mechanically minded than me would find it easy.

I took my time, and did give them a call once to have them walk me thru one step.

It consistently starts on the first few pulls, and fits in a large Tupperware type bin I bought at HoneDepot.

The big plus for Propane + Honda 2000 conversion kit is:

It can still run on gasoline if need be……. but I have NEVER put gasoline in the 2000.

We live in an earthquake zone (SoCal) and a generator is a good thing to have!

Gasoline goes stale and bad in 6-ish months… so I did not want to have to keep gasoline around, and also have to rotate it….

We always have 3 bottles around… and propane NEVER goes stale.

Plus I can securely strap the 2000 into the back of our SUV tug, and there is zero smell, as it has never had gas in it.
When we boondock we sometimes take the Generator, but just end up leaving it in the tug the whole time. It is insurance.

Did I mention that I REALLY hate battery acid and hydrometers?

so this is why I’m leaning towards one sealed AGM, adding roof solar, plus a tap to get into the system with my portable solar panels, plus we have the 2000 propane generator.

:-)

If i was to get the dual 6 volt wet - I know they go under the dinette seat…..

if I was to NOT get the dual 6v…. where does the single 12 v go?

thanks
Losangeles is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2015, 12:09 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
depends on which model Escape.....
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2015, 12:11 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: no fixed address, California
Trailer: 2017-21' Escape (sold) Casita 17' (sold)
Posts: 1,348
Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
depends on which model Escape.....
sorry - should have specified 21' regular (not 5.0)
Losangeles is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2015, 12:12 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
under curb side dinette seat in rear.....
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2015, 01:52 PM   #14
Member
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Yuma, Arizona
Trailer: 2016 Escape 19, 2007 Tacoma 4X4 V6 tow package
Posts: 62
Quote:
Originally Posted by santacruzer View Post
Adding a portable solar panel to the existing installation isn't a problem. I have the 160 watt panel, and had ETI place the charge controller close to where I intend to bring in the wire for the portable unit at a later date. You can either connect direct to the batteries, or through the charge controller.
I've been considering adding the ETI solar option and would like the option to add a portable panel like that. So was it that control panel typically above the sink in the 19 that is the charger controller? And where did you have it installed?

I'm having the U shape dinette and adding an electrical port into the front drivers side going into the seat area. Is that what you did?
Jeff in Salinas is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2015, 05:52 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
santacruzer's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Santa Cruz, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19
Posts: 755
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff in Salinas View Post
I've been considering adding the ETI solar option and would like the option to add a portable panel like that. So was it that control panel typically above the sink in the 19 that is the charger controller? And where did you have it installed?

I'm having the U shape dinette and adding an electrical port into the front drivers side going into the seat area. Is that what you did?
WE have two threads going on this topic...

The charge controller normally would have been installed over the sink in the 19. When I add a portable solar panel I want to tie it in to the controller, so the above sink location would have been a cumbersome wiring run. Reace suggested the location under the dinette. It's not as easy to read, but will be much simpler to run wires. And he added a port to the outside, which I would do differently next time.
__________________
2019 Tundra CrewMax Limited TRD 4WD
2014 Escape 19
santacruzer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2015, 06:32 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
Ron in BC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,744
Quote:
Originally Posted by santacruzer View Post

Reace suggested the location under the dinette. It's not as easy to read, but will be much simpler to run wires. .
Why not put brackets on the platform the table mounts to and put it at the end of the table. Close to the other electrical and very easy to read and adjust in this position.

Ron
Attached Thumbnails
18-01-2015 3-19-29 PM6_resize.jpg  
Ron in BC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2015, 05:51 AM   #17
Senior Member
 
santacruzer's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Santa Cruz, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19
Posts: 755
An installation that nice wasn't even on my radar screen when I ordered the trailer. I like that shelf idea, but will probably put it to other use at this stage.
__________________
2019 Tundra CrewMax Limited TRD 4WD
2014 Escape 19
santacruzer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2015, 08:17 AM   #18
Senior Member
 
Jim Bennett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,532
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron in BC View Post
Why not put brackets on the platform the table mounts to and put it at the end of the table. Close to the other electrical and very easy to read and adjust in this position.

Ron
While I like the idea of this, and you did a great job, I do wonder what you do with it when the dinette gets used as a bed? It might be in danger around rambunctious grandkids.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
Jim Bennett is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2015, 09:55 AM   #19
Senior Member
 
craiginpetaluma's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: petaluma, California
Trailer: 2015 Escape 21 2002 Tundra 4x4 V-8 tow package.
Posts: 163
Another way to wire the controller for optimum efficiency and ease of use. Is to place The controller next to the batteries as Santacruzer did and run a remote monitor ( trimetric ) through a negative shunt to a more visible location. The Trimetric gives you great info, all amps in the batteries and all amps out of the batteries are measured.
A friend just installed a trimetric on his RV and soon learned he a .6 amp phantom draw. That will be fun to chase down.
craiginpetaluma is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2015, 10:09 AM   #20
Senior Member
 
Greg A's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Seventy Degrees"
Posts: 3,495
Has anyone added a tilt mount to the factory flat mount after the fact? Seems like it wouldn't be too challenging to remove the panel and bolt the tilt mount to the existing roof supports then attach the panel to the tilt mount.
Greg A is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:51 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.