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View Poll Results: Are Solar Panels Worth it?
Adding solar panels is a MUST! 11 20.37%
Add only if boondocking often. 23 42.59%
Add only if the RV is already prepped. 7 12.96%
Neutral. 4 7.41%
Not enough gained to deal with it / another system to maintain. 12 22.22%
Stay away from them! 0 0%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 54. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 12-16-2020, 06:48 PM   #121
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Model: Thor Ace 33.1
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EA37TS View Post
Depends on how the controller is wired to the batteries. In my rig the controller charges both the house and chassis batteries without going through the Use Store (Master Power) switch.
That's how mine works, my 100 watt panel is keeping all the batteries charged right now in the cold.

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Old 12-16-2020, 06:56 PM   #122
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Originally Posted by Bill Johnson View Post
That's how mine works, my 100 watt panel is keeping all the batteries charged right now in the cold.


Yup. Me too. Wired through the controller directly to the house batteries. I added a Trik-L-Start charger to the chassis battery so my small solar can take care of it as well.
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Old 12-16-2020, 07:00 PM   #123
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Originally Posted by Pete'sMH View Post
Yup. Me too. Wired through the controller directly to the house batteries. I added a Trik-L-Start charger to the chassis battery so my small solar can take care of it as well.
It's nice and warm down there. When it's 46 degrees up here we wear shorts and t-shirts LOL
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Old 12-16-2020, 07:45 PM   #124
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Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Johnson View Post
It's nice and warm down there. When it's 46 degrees up here we wear shorts and t-shirts LOL
How cold is it?
At 50 degrees: Californians reach for a sweater
at 40 degrees: British cars won't start
at 30 degrees: Folks in Montana schedule outdoor barbecues
at 20 degrees: Folks in Maine are thinking about closing
down their pools
at 10 degrees: Folks in Michigan will have a barbecue: if they can find their grille under the snow.
at 0 degrees: Folks in Maine will close the window in the
bathroom
at -10 degrees: Alaskans go skinny dipping!
at -20 degrees: Swedish cars won't start
at -30 degrees: Folks in Minnesota go to football games
at -40 degrees: They put away the pools in Alaska
at -50 degrees: German cars won't start
at -60 degrees: Politicians start putting their hands into their own pockets
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Old 12-16-2020, 08:08 PM   #125
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Model: Thor Ace 33.1
State: Illinois
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Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
How cold is it?
At 50 degrees: Californians reach for a sweater
at 40 degrees: British cars won't start
at 30 degrees: Folks in Montana schedule outdoor barbecues
at 20 degrees: Folks in Maine are thinking about closing
down their pools
at 10 degrees: Folks in Michigan will have a barbecue: if they can find their grille under the snow.
at 0 degrees: Folks in Maine will close the window in the
bathroom
at -10 degrees: Alaskans go skinny dipping!
at -20 degrees: Swedish cars won't start
at -30 degrees: Folks in Minnesota go to football games
at -40 degrees: They put away the pools in Alaska
at -50 degrees: German cars won't start
at -60 degrees: Politicians start putting their hands into their own pockets
So true, we were in Minnesota one year at Christmas cooking on the grill and our Manhattans were icing up sitting outside
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Old 12-16-2020, 08:39 PM   #126
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Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
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Well if they're not ice cold: what good are they?
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Old 12-16-2020, 11:25 PM   #127
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Model: Vegas 25.5 / Keystone Mon
State: Arkansas
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Here is what I did when I considered solar and wanted it as a option but not fully bought-in. We typically use traditional hookups or run the generator.

Not long ago we drove the Vegas to Lake Tahoe and stayed in a hotel rather than the Vegas. We wanted to keep the fridge running as we had food and beverages in there so propane and battery did the work. I had to run the generator from time to time to keep the batteries charged as we had no access to power at the hotel. A solar option for us would have been nice.

Our 2019 Vegas is solar ready, simply needed a panel. Not wanting the full time solar option as I did not want to attach anything to the roof, I went this route...

A foldable 100w solar panel which I can use in situations like our Lake Tahoe trip or if we are out in an area with no access to power. I have considered possibly getting some 20' or 30' cables to offer some mobility of the solar panel should the situation require bit for now I simply climb the ladder, unfold the 100w solar panel and plug it into the solar connectors on the roof. Pretty simple and relatively cheap as only cost (other than cost of the Vegas) has been the panel.

Living in the PNW solar isn't typically a leading topic as it rains and is overcast 9 months out of the year (not really, but close) but an reasonable option at times for sure.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07FH..._1608161098029Click image for larger version

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