collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Solar battery charger for RV?  (Read 7395 times)

Offline Fastass350

  • Past Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2010
  • Posts: 2088
  • Location: Salmon, ID
Solar battery charger for RV?
« on: August 20, 2019, 05:01:44 PM »
Which solar panel do you all recommend for daily charging of your rv batteries? I have a big generator for powering micro and a/c and all that stuff, as well as a little 1000 for running just a battery charger, but I’m trying to eliminate the fuel use and running the little 1000 just to charge what the sun could be. So I’m looking for suggestions for what solar panel setup to go with.

Thanks

Offline gasman

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Dec 2008
  • Posts: 6377
  • Location: Tacoma,wa
Re: Solar battery charger for RV?
« Reply #1 on: August 20, 2019, 05:43:15 PM »
Tagging along......
Gasman


It's 5 O'clock somewhere.......

Offline trophyelk6x6

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2008
  • Posts: 796
  • Location: Belfair WA
Re: Solar battery charger for RV?
« Reply #2 on: August 20, 2019, 05:59:54 PM »
You can find solar panels cheap on amazon or evil bay but remember.............you still need a tender/meter to make sure the solar charger doesn't keep charging your RV batteries.  They are cheap, plug into the RV solar panel plug.  I was going to plug my solar panel into the convenient RV plug mounted on the side of my new RV and I thought...hmmm how does it quit charging once those dual batteries are fully charged? So I call my RV dealer Apache in Poulsbo and they said i needed a tender or shut off which is NOT built into your RV solar battery plug ins. FYI.  I haven't bought one yet and I don't remember the actual name but just inquire with a good RV dealer and they will know what you are asking. 

Offline Russ McDonald

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 8197
  • Location: Enumclaw
  • USN ET3 SW 87-92, USS Excel MSO 439
  • Groups: NWTF, NRA
Re: Solar battery charger for RV?
« Reply #3 on: August 20, 2019, 07:26:06 PM »
Look at Harbor Freight they have a 100 watt suitcase type panel setup for $189 I believe.  Has a regulator with it.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Russell McDonald
President South Sound NWTF Chapter

Offline Hilltop123

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 2096
  • Location: Up on the Ump
Re: Solar battery charger for RV?
« Reply #4 on: August 20, 2019, 08:08:23 PM »
You can find solar panels cheap on amazon or evil bay but remember.............you still need a tender/meter to make sure the solar charger doesn't keep charging your RV batteries.  They are cheap, plug into the RV solar panel plug.  I was going to plug my solar panel into the convenient RV plug mounted on the side of my new RV and I thought...hmmm how does it quit charging once those dual batteries are fully charged? So I call my RV dealer Apache in Poulsbo and they said i needed a tender or shut off which is NOT built into your RV solar battery plug ins. FYI.  I haven't bought one yet and I don't remember the actual name but just inquire with a good RV dealer and they will know what you are asking. 
The electronic device your talking about, is called a charge controller.

Offline Hilltop123

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 2096
  • Location: Up on the Ump
Re: Solar battery charger for RV?
« Reply #5 on: August 20, 2019, 08:16:25 PM »
Are you thinking of permanently mounting the panel to the roof of the RV?

Offline MADMAX

  • Trade Count: (+21)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: May 2007
  • Posts: 9356
  • Location: Kitsap/Cle Elum
  • I like big bucks and I can not lie
Re: Solar battery charger for RV?
« Reply #6 on: August 20, 2019, 09:28:39 PM »
I use the harbor freight 20 dollar solar charger daily on single battery
Easy and cheap
500 watt Honda for the dvd and tv or heater fan if needed
I can go off grid for a couple weeks easy
Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
Mark Twain


I Ain't Captain Walker.
I'm The Guy Who Carries Mr. Dead In His Pocket


What would life be without the thrill of the hunt ?

Offline 724wd

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2009
  • Posts: 3884
  • Location: Spokane
Re: Solar battery charger for RV?
« Reply #7 on: August 21, 2019, 08:38:28 AM »
I use a Coleman panel and controller I bought from Costco. Last I looked, they still have them. I don't take my generator anymore (I will when it gets cooler and need to run the furnace/fan at night).

https://www.costco.com/Coleman-100W-Solar-Panel-With-8.5-AMP-Charge-Controller-.product.100389117.html

Offline Carl

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Feb 2012
  • Posts: 1009
  • Location: Mill Creek
Re: Solar battery charger for RV?
« Reply #8 on: August 21, 2019, 12:43:01 PM »
I just looked at the Costco 100W Solar Panel that comes with the controller.  It's got a $40 instant rebate right now!  $119.99 after rebate.

Carl

Offline Fastass350

  • Past Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2010
  • Posts: 2088
  • Location: Salmon, ID
Re: Solar battery charger for RV?
« Reply #9 on: August 21, 2019, 04:27:49 PM »
Just ordered two from Costco, now my dad will have one too. Thanks for the help all!

Offline 92xj

  • Trade Count: (+26)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: May 2009
  • Posts: 4024
  • Location: Out of Place
  • Kill 'em
"If you have to be crazy to hunt ducks, I do not wish to be sane."

Offline BNAElkhntr

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+7)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Apr 2012
  • Posts: 730
  • Location: Cle Elum, Wa
  • Groups: Life member NRA, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, SCI
Re: Solar battery charger for RV?
« Reply #11 on: August 22, 2019, 07:14:11 AM »
I've used the Harbor Freight Model 100 watt with charge controller Like Russ said 189 but watch the ads got mine for 149 works great for keeping batteries topped off while I leave RV between Seasons Even has enough power to allow me to leave Propane Fridge running to keep stuff good while gone
https://www.harborfreight.com/100-watt-solar-panel-kit-63585.html

Offline Fastass350

  • Past Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2010
  • Posts: 2088
  • Location: Salmon, ID
Re: Solar battery charger for RV?
« Reply #12 on: August 23, 2019, 09:19:02 PM »
We picked up our trailer today, and it has the same plug that yours shows xj, I asked the kid at the parts counter to order me a plug to fit that to wire my Coleman to. Should be pretty easy.

Offline Carl

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Feb 2012
  • Posts: 1009
  • Location: Mill Creek
Re: Solar battery charger for RV?
« Reply #13 on: August 24, 2019, 09:15:04 AM »
Are you guys permanently mounting the solar panels on your RVs?  :dunno:

Offline Russ McDonald

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 8197
  • Location: Enumclaw
  • USN ET3 SW 87-92, USS Excel MSO 439
  • Groups: NWTF, NRA
Re: Solar battery charger for RV?
« Reply #14 on: August 24, 2019, 09:58:26 AM »
I have seen it done.   The problem with a permanent mount is you would have ri have your rig parked to hey good sun. Ther easy spat panels work if you get a shadow across the panel it will shut off those streams not giving you full efficiency of ther panel.   If the shadow falls jus right you can shut down the whole panel.  On the other side is if they are decent panels you will get  charge just off ambient light.  Ibuse solar for my remote repeater sites for work.  Full overcast I get anywhere from 1.5 to 2 amps from the panels.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Russell McDonald
President South Sound NWTF Chapter

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Looking for Solid 22 LR input by Rat44
[Today at 12:26:36 AM]


Lynx kittens confirmed in the Kettle Range by dwils233
[Today at 12:04:14 AM]


Archery elk gear, 2025. by spin05
[Today at 12:03:42 AM]


How To Get Your $0.00 Tax Stamp - Black Hammer Arms by dreadi
[Yesterday at 11:33:25 PM]


AUCTION: SE Idaho DIY Deer or Deer/Elk Hunt by Rainier10
[Yesterday at 10:19:01 PM]


Seeking recommendations on a new scope by Klickitatsteelie
[Yesterday at 09:23:56 PM]


2025 Canning by Twispriver
[Yesterday at 09:15:12 PM]


2025 Montana alternate list by Edminsterquality
[Yesterday at 08:47:06 PM]


WSTA 2025 Summer Rendezvous Agenda by Trapper John
[Yesterday at 08:00:27 PM]


First attempt at polish sausages by Stein
[Yesterday at 07:58:22 PM]


Fullsized Truck Opinion: HiMiNew vs LoMiOlder by MADMAX
[Yesterday at 07:57:22 PM]


Sockeye Numbers by Southpole
[Yesterday at 07:44:30 PM]


Best all around muzzy (updated) by jjhunter
[Yesterday at 07:44:26 PM]


38% increase in fishing and hunting licenses by Sitka_Blacktail
[Yesterday at 07:02:41 PM]


50 inch SXS and Tracks? by 92xj
[Yesterday at 05:34:03 PM]


3 days for Kings by MADMAX
[Yesterday at 05:06:49 PM]


Full moon and last week of September by pd
[Yesterday at 04:51:23 PM]


Hunting bears in the thick stuff by ghosthunter
[Yesterday at 04:33:46 PM]


GMU 247 Entiat bear hunting by Ridgerunner
[Yesterday at 11:56:01 AM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal