Newbie Solar Question

[DWM]

Just purchased a Chateau 24BL. Should I add a solar panel since it is prewired with a control near the stairs? Will this keep the 12V battery charged (going to add another battery) in the living area?
thanks from a brand new Class C RV owner

D

[Bob Denman]

If you want to add a panel or two: it's your rig, and your money!
It would never hurt to have it...

[Pete'sMH]

“Should” is a strong word! But yes a small panel can be effective keeping your batteries charged. I put an 80W panel on my coach and it easily is keeping my two house batteries and chassis battery charged while it’s in storage. But it takes a large, complex system to keep batteries charged when they are being used as in dry camping. Depends on what you want solar to do.

[Bob Denman]

I've got a 375 watt setup with a 40 amp MPPT controller on my radar right now.

[EA37TS]

The question should be do you need solar. If you need it then determine how much you need and install it. If you don’t need it put the money elsewhere.

[egslaw]

Absolutely (IMHO). I have a 300 watt system on my 2020 Palazzo and it keeps the house running (sans microwave or ACs) 24/7. It's all the power I need for lights, tvs, etc. And you'll never have a dead batter again! My 2 cents.

[PS Cruisign]

IMHO, if you are going to boondock, solar is a must. If you are an "umbilical baby", and plan on living in RV parks... well not so much. Prewired? Are you planning on just plugging in your panel and putting it out on the ground? Thats pretty simple. If you are going to put it on your roof... can you mount it? Complete the wiring? Guess its an it depends at that point, because the cost of paying someone an letting them punch a hole in the roof.. eeek!

But like the guys said.. sure... get some solar.

We love the camps with no hookups and dry camping. Weeds out a bunch of peeps. Me 750 watts, 200 amps lifepo4. Residential fridge.. amp eater. Best of luck either way.

cheers

[Bob Denman]

The term, "umbilical baby" is just a tiny bit repugnant...
Reconsider using this term: not everyone uses their RV in the same way that you do.

[The_Breeze]

I'll continue to drive this point forward. Solar has a payback period. It can be quite lengthy if you spend a lot of time hooked to other powers sources or camp in a lot of shade, where solar is compromised.

If you spend 90% of you time in the desert southwest, your payback period will be less.

Try to research it and compare that to how you use your RV, or intend to use it once you get solar and the picture will get clearer with most every read. Solar is either a fad or a vey good way to remain off grid.

I know a woman with a scamp fifth wheel. She has 750W solar, Victron equipment and 3 lithium batteries. She dry camps 95% of the time. In her case, it already paid for itself.

[PS Cruisign]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

The term, "umbilical baby" is just a tiny bit repugnant...
Reconsider using this term: not everyone uses their RV in the same way that you do.

Thats why I wont Bob... NOT Cuz its a free world until November maybe.

Cheers

Not gonna happen. Own up. You choose your path.. thats fine with me.

Have a great day tomorrow. Your inputs here are legendary... Thanks.

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by The_Breeze

I'll continue to drive this point forward. Solar has a payback period. It can be quite lengthy if you spend a lot of time hooked to other powers sources or camp in a lot of shade, where solar is compromised.

If you spend 90% of you time in the desert southwest, your payback period will be less.

Try to research it and compare that to how you use your RV, or intend to use it once you get solar and the picture will get clearer with most every read. Solar is either a fad or a vey good way to remain off grid.

I know a woman with a scamp fifth wheel. She has 750W solar, Victron equipment and 3 lithium batteries. She dry camps 95% of the time. In her case, it already paid for itself.

I agree with this. (For whatever THAT’s worth!). Significant solar makes no sense whatsoever in my case as we simply don’t camp without at least electric hookup. But for under
$150 I was able to add enough solar to keep all three of my batteries charged while in storage. My coach was not prewired.

[DWM]

That was my concern. I have a new Chateau 24BL and already had battery going dead. Now using 110 plug in driveway but will be down the road in storage lot...thought solar might keep the battery (now batteries - I just added a second battery, don't understand since there is room for 2 in the step well why on an $80,000 motorhome they don't just go ahead and fill the compartment up with 2!) charged even in the winter [Michigan] while stored (???).

[The_Breeze]

Originally Posted by DWM

That was my concern. I have a new Chateau 24BL and already had battery going dead. Now using 110 plug in driveway but will be down the road in storage lot...thought solar might keep the battery (now batteries - I just added a second battery, don't understand since there is room for 2 in the step well why on an $80,000 motorhome they don't just go ahead and fill the compartment up with 2!) charged even in the winter [Michigan] while stored (???).

I thought I only had room for two. Turns out I had room for 4. Guess what's under the steps now. Yup, 4. Go ahead and do the solar thing for storage. If you're going to boondock, read some and come back here to get some additional input/opinion/experiences. Otherwise, it could be time better spent on star gazing. Enjoy your new rig.

[Yosemitebob]

In my case, I've had several campers, fifth wheels, motorhomes, and now a super C. I have had solar in every RV I've had. Would not be without it. We go to the desert, live in the desert, store in the desert. I use 600w with a sophisticated system to keep and watch everything working. I have never had a dead battery or even replaced batteries (they are expensive). To explain how to use it, is also complicated. You need to read a lot and talk to people. Your system will depend on your needs, how many people are with you, how you want to use it and for what you want to use it. It's not automatic like many think. But, if you don't have a real need for it - forget it. As some do, just get what you need for battery storage time.

[Long & Winding road]

For many of us Solar is something we "Want".... Not "Need". I been planing on adding Solar for TWO years but have yet to pull the trigger.

I will eventually....... I dont boone dock much but I hope to in the near future.... and it would be nice not to worry about conserving my power as much. But I really dont need it right now.

I like to tinker with stuff so to me this install will be fun learning experience.

It will be my very own study case for when I install solar on my home before I retire (and gives me more stuff to tinker with ) ...... plus I like the whole "living green" thing. Sounds like the way to go for the long run.

[Bob Denman]

The only reason that we haven't pulled the trigger yet: The Missus wants recliners first!

[tuchmybuttercups]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

The only reason that we haven't pulled the trigger yet: The Missus wants recliners first!

Bob,

Were you able to get (the recliners and) your solar getup? Curious how it's working for you.