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Post Info TOPIC: beginners' guide to solar power in a motor-home


Member

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beginners' guide to solar power in a motor-home


i've bought a motor-home, an Iveco Daily, i want to put solar panels on the roof & perhaps get a portable panel too, so i can more accurately position it. i intend on mostly free camping.

is there a site or book or some form of beginner's guide to what i should be looking at , or a recommended supplier ( i live in southern sydney ) who could suggest what i need & do the installation. i'm not very electrically savvy..

thank.



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Chief one feather

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Welcome to the gang pate277, enjoy here and out in the playground.

If you go into 'Techies Corner' on this great forum then go into the sub forum 'Solar Power' there is heaps of info there.

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Live Life On Your Terms

DOUG  Chief One Feather  (Losing feathers with age)

TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy

DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV  (with some changes)

 



Guru

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Figure out what you'll use.

EXcluding Microwave,Kettle Air-Cond etc. Use Mains plug or Generator for them.
Built in Genny's in Motorhomes
can be properly silenced with very low exhaust levels.

Have 2 minimum battery's and install enough panels to ensure that your
battery levels don't drop below 12.5v by sunrise with average usage.

A mobile panel. Realistically. is a waste of time,
unless you chasing every single milliamp.
They are very bulky\heavy, for what they will give.
Try lifting\carrying, a 100w panel. Then finding storage for.
Inside.

Not practical by 95% of users.

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Guru

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Google Collyn Rivers and buy his book about solar for RVs.

Cheers,
Peter

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OKA196, 4x4 'C' Class, DIY, self contained motorhome. 960W of solar, 400Ah of AGMs, 310L water, 280L fuel. https://www.oka4wd.com/forum/members-vehicles-public/569-oka196-xt-motorhome
 

 



Guru

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Dougwe wrote:

Welcome to the gang pate277, enjoy here and out in the playground.

If you go into 'Techies Corner' on this great forum then go into the sub forum 'Solar Power' there is heaps of info there.


 Peter wrote:

Google Collyn Rivers and buy his book about solar for RVs.

Cheers, Peter

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hi smile

These two replies say all you need to know. I have two books by Collyn Rivers  now. Cheap way to start before you spend money, and whenyou do go to any retail supplier they will try to oversell their expensive stuff and you may spend more than you need to just do the job you want !!

Cheers jaahn



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Member

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many thanks for the responses folks, much appreciated & very useful.

cheers



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Member

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thank you for the welcome. i must say i'm impressed with the responses to my 2 questions....heaps of very helpful info. i'm going to like this site i see.

cheers.

P.



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Guru

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Search YouTube . Plenty of vids there also. It's not as complicated as it seems . Attempt to be atleast 20% over what you require . Wattage wise .

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Whats out there


Guru

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Posts: 1883
Date:

Hi!
I thought you may be able to gleam some useful information from these sites I had bookmarked when I was looking into the subject.
Good luck.

https://www.redarc.com.au/solar-faqs
http://www.wanowandthen.com/solar-power.html
http://www.campertrailers.org/solar_spreadsheet.htm
http://hobohome.com/news/?p=243
https://www.goseeaustralia.com.au/news/86-notes-from-the-coal-face-on-fitting-and-managing-battery-and-solar-power
https://www.exploroz.com/vehicle/electrics/solar.aspx



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