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01-13-2020, 10:30 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: New York
Posts: 5
THOR #17702
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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.
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01-13-2020, 10:33 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Georgia
Posts: 2,585
THOR #4735
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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.
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the Turners...
two Campers, two Electric cars
former diesel pusher traveler
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01-13-2020, 11:08 PM
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#3
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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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.
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"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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01-14-2020, 09:53 AM
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#4
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: New York
Posts: 5
THOR #17702
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Thank you for your input. I am now trying to figure out how many panels I can put up there.
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01-16-2020, 02:51 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Aria 3901
State: Colorado
Posts: 141
THOR #13190
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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!
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01-16-2020, 09:04 AM
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#6
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: New York
Posts: 5
THOR #17702
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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.
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01-16-2020, 11:27 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2020 Magnitude SV34
State: Florida
Posts: 4,147
THOR #12751
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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.
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01-16-2020, 11:06 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 31L
State: Florida
Posts: 2,063
THOR #12189
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jim ward
Thank you for your input. I am now trying to figure out how many panels I can put up there.
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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.
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01-16-2020, 11:25 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 31L
State: Florida
Posts: 2,063
THOR #12189
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Judge
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.
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You could very easily add tilt mechanisms to this set up to get more bang for your buck, if that's something you want.
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01-22-2020, 07:22 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Magnitude RB34
State: Montana
Posts: 217
THOR #2531
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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
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01-22-2020, 07:32 PM
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#11
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Colorado
Posts: 21
THOR #2995
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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.
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01-23-2020, 04:45 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: California
Posts: 109
THOR #16919
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jim ward
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.
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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.
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01-23-2020, 04:06 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: THOR Chateua 35SF
State: Florida
Posts: 5,850
THOR #11130
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Judge
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.
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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
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01-24-2020, 11:46 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2020 Magnitude SV34
State: Florida
Posts: 4,147
THOR #12751
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton
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?
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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.
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02-02-2020, 07:33 PM
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#15
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: New York
Posts: 5
THOR #17702
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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
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02-02-2020, 07:36 PM
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#16
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: New York
Posts: 5
THOR #17702
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Don't want to use tilt would have to climb on roof.
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