Quote:
Originally Posted by Scambo1
Ive built several solar setups both lead acid and lithium.
My take on what you are trying to do…
Our 5.0 ta has escapes solar package. When we got the camper, I was certain I was going to upgrade to a lot more battery (storage). However after boondocking mostly with the camper, we have found the setup to be completely sufficient for coffee pot and microwave needs. Adding batteries, however, is simple.
When we get back from camping, as part of my storage checklist, I turn off the inverter using the on off switch on the inverter. It is accessible through the dinette seat and from the outside access door.
Im in the process of compiling another solar setup for a cabin we are building on a river property we own. Im using lead acid. Its the economical solution.
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Thanks. My thoughts were similar; let the batteries charge while we're out during the day and have power for some evening fare and morning breakfast.
Our first outing with the trailer was on some very cold days - boondocking - and because we were camped in full sunlight and we didn't have experience with anything we tried running the 3-way fridge on batteries. That, along with running the furnace, drained the system severely and it took some time to recover. Fortunately, it was clear skies.
Our second outing, also boondocking with some cold evenings, found us parked under some trees. I love being in the woods. But the solar panels don't. So, after a couple of days we drained the batteries below 50%. I mean, we got down to near zero!. I got up in the middle of the night twice one night; once to shut off the inverter that kept beeping from lack of dc voltage and again to shut off the fridge that was also beeping from lack of backup power. We really never recovered from that one. I plugged the trailer into the truck to get power at times.
Adding more lead-acid was my first thought. But the more research I did, the more it became clear that the lithium characteristics is what I was looking for.
Still working on it, by the way. I ordered equipment from Renogy and their customer service has been terrible.