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   Thor Forums > Thor Community Forums > Thor Owners Community Discussions
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 01-13-2020, 10:30 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: New York
Posts: 5
THOR #17702
solar panels for boon docking

i have a Thor 4 winds chateau 33 sw with a residential refrigerator. i do mostly boon dock beach camping ,i am looking to put solar in .I have already added 4 more batteries in a bracket under the coach behind the rear axel. has anybody put solar in that will keep battery charged.

__________________
jim ward is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2020, 10:33 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Georgia
Posts: 2,585
THOR #4735
you did the right thing first: more storage, i.e., batteries!

now, you can simply add several 100w panels to the roof(beach camping will give you some good sun hours), run the wires down to the simple pwm controller, and then attach to your battery bank - done.

then you'll see the sun help charge the battery bank during the sun hours, minimizing generator run time. When you see it working, add more panels, upgrade the controller, etc.
__________________
the Turners...
two Campers, two Electric cars
former diesel pusher traveler
TurnerFam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2020, 11:08 PM   #3
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
Added battery capacity:
Add all the solar panels that you can fit, and it'll do nothing but help keep things up and running for you.
Just be sure to leave some room for you to get on the roof for your inspections of it's condition.
One other thing: plan ahead for upgrades by getting the controller you think you might end up needing, and wiring that is stout enough to handle anticipated loads.
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2020, 09:53 AM   #4
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: New York
Posts: 5
THOR #17702
Thank you for your input. I am now trying to figure out how many panels I can put up there.
__________________
jim ward is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-16-2020, 02:51 AM   #5
LDK
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Aria 3901
State: Colorado
Posts: 141
THOR #13190
Given space on the roof is at a premium, and panel pricing has become more reasonable, would suggest considering higher wattage panels. I went with six 200 watt panels. Batteries are key!
__________________
LDK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-16-2020, 09:04 AM   #6
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: New York
Posts: 5
THOR #17702
thank you ,i am looking at a combination of 100 and160 w flexible renogy panels they only have to be taped down with special tape. I am looking to get at least 1200 w of panels on the roof.When i made the battery bracket i left room for 2 more battery just in case.
__________________
jim ward is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-16-2020, 11:27 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Judge's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2020 Magnitude SV34
State: Florida
Posts: 4,147
THOR #12751
I am using the Renogy 160W flexible panels and they seem to work great. They are much lighter and easier to mount but they are a little more expensive.

The first set I installed I used Eternabond tape and taped them right to the roof.

I then decided if I ever want to remove or replace them, it would be a pain removing the Eternabond tape. I went to Home Depot and bought some corregated plastic panels and cut them to about the size of the solar panels.

I then drilled holes in the plastic and installed a thread lug so I could screw the solar panels onto the plastic panels. I then used two sided Eternabond tape to attach the plastic panels to the roof.

If I need to remove the solar panel, I only have to remove 6 screws and unplug them.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Screen Shot 2020-01-16 at 6.24.26 AM.jpg
Views:	170
Size:	135.6 KB
ID:	22219  
__________________
Judge is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-16-2020, 11:06 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
The_Breeze's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 31L
State: Florida
Posts: 2,063
THOR #12189
Quote:
Originally Posted by jim ward View Post
Thank you for your input. I am now trying to figure out how many panels I can put up there.
A good technique for this is to get some cardboard the same size as the panels you intend to use. A utility knife and some packing tape come in handy to replicate these.Create a layout and take a pic.

Place the cardboard mock-ups on the roof and get a good fit. Don't forget to leave yourself a 'walkway' so you're not precariously walking around existing solar panels to get to the one 'way in the back corner' and fall off the side or something. You may need to get up there and dust them off or...if you go high-dollar and get the tilt mechanisms, you'll need access to them.
__________________
The_Breeze is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-16-2020, 11:25 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
The_Breeze's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 31L
State: Florida
Posts: 2,063
THOR #12189
Quote:
Originally Posted by Judge View Post
I am using the Renogy 160W flexible panels and they seem to work great. They are much lighter and easier to mount but they are a little more expensive.
You could very easily add tilt mechanisms to this set up to get more bang for your buck, if that's something you want.
__________________
The_Breeze is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2020, 07:22 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Magnitude RB34
State: Montana
Posts: 217
THOR #2531
I ran 2011 Tuscany with 4 gel batteries and 450w panels. I do not recommend the flex panels the UV will kill them. That’s why the crystal panels carry 25 year warranty and flex panels usually do not. We only had to use gen when using ac or cappuccino machine
__________________
williamprunty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2020, 07:32 PM   #11
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Colorado
Posts: 21
THOR #2995
I have a 31W, I added 4-100 watt panels and it will charge my 3 - 31 series 12 volt batteries. I also added a light timer to turn off the fridge for 3 hours, then on for 30 minutes during the night. Does your fridge make a “clunking noise when it starts up when only on battery power? Carlmatt@aol.com. Write to me, lets talk more about this problem.
__________________
Carlmatt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-23-2020, 04:45 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
Dilley Dilley's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: California
Posts: 109
THOR #16919
Quote:
Originally Posted by jim ward View Post
i have a Thor 4 winds chateau 33 sw with a residential refrigerator. i do mostly boon dock beach camping ,i am looking to put solar in .I have already added 4 more batteries in a bracket under the coach behind the rear axel. has anybody put solar in that will keep battery charged.
We. have a residential fridge in our Miramar 34.1. We added two additional house batteries and 480 watt (3 panels) Go Power Solar. Our system works great with the fridge. The key is the extra storage batteries that you added.
__________________
Dilley Dilley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-23-2020, 04:06 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
The Gritz Carlton's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: THOR Chateua 35SF
State: Florida
Posts: 5,850
THOR #11130
Quote:
Originally Posted by Judge View Post
I am using the Renogy 160W flexible panels and they seem to work great. They are much lighter and easier to mount but they are a little more expensive.

The first set I installed I used Eternabond tape and taped them right to the roof.

I then decided if I ever want to remove or replace them, it would be a pain removing the Eternabond tape. I went to Home Depot and bought some corregated plastic panels and cut them to about the size of the solar panels.

I then drilled holes in the plastic and installed a thread lug so I could screw the solar panels onto the plastic panels. I then used two sided Eternabond tape to attach the plastic panels to the roof.

If I need to remove the solar panel, I only have to remove 6 screws and unplug them.

This is about as cool and simple as a Popsicle!! Will PM you for the details. It just made it to the top of my project list....which is a very short list. Did you change the two 6V batteries or leave them as-is?
__________________
Now an SOB
Traded Thor for Melbourne Prestige 24NP
2018 THOR Chateau 35SF
Two Labs, Bugsie & Blondie
Blondie passed in 2020 at 5 to Leukemia
The Gritz Carlton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-24-2020, 11:46 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
Judge's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2020 Magnitude SV34
State: Florida
Posts: 4,147
THOR #12751
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton View Post
This is about as cool and simple as a Popsicle!! Will PM you for the details. It just made it to the top of my project list....which is a very short list. Did you change the two 6V batteries or leave them as-is?
My Outlaw had two 12V batteries and I left them in place.

My Magnitude has two 6V batteries with room for two more. My plan is to add two more in the spring. I will probably do the Costco Golf Cart batteries since you can't beat the price.
__________________
Judge is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-02-2020, 07:33 PM   #15
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: New York
Posts: 5
THOR #17702
no it does not make noise on start up.I are going to put 6- 160w and 3 100w panel on the roof ,i want the batteries to charge even if overcast
__________________
jim ward is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-02-2020, 07:36 PM   #16
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: New York
Posts: 5
THOR #17702
Don't want to use tilt would have to climb on roof.
__________________
jim ward 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 Thor Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.




All times are GMT. The time now is 11:03 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2