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09-18-2011, 11:05 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Seattle
Posts: 173
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Sizing solar panels
I've checked the forum and if this topic has been discussed, I sure can't find it.
I have a 2005 SMB with the penthouse roof. I'd like to add a solar panel to keep the house battery topped up while I'm camping for more than 3 days or so. The house battery is a Lifeline AGM 4D and reefer is the biggest draw. It's a small Norcold, Norcold says this will draw about 3.5 amps/hour.
I don't run any other appliances, just lights for a little while in the evening, and the furnace if it's chilly.
Any help on sizing a solar panel would be appreciated.
thanks..
Tom
__________________
2005 SMB RB 50 4X4 w/ a 6.0 PSD
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09-18-2011, 11:17 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,179
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Re: Sizing solar panels
I think there are a few threads about power usage and appropriate solar panel size, but I'll just offer that I have a single 120W-130W panel, which has been just fine for me. I have about the same usage requirements as you do.
Herb
__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.
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09-18-2011, 02:32 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Turlock Ca
Posts: 10,409
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Re: Sizing solar panels
I agree with Herb that a 130 is a good size. Alot depends on how much sun is available in the areas you plan to visit. Overcast or fog reduces the output and that's where a second or larger panel can make a difference. Same with tree cover. SMB has also made panels that tilt so you can aim towards the sun. I carry a portable 65w flat panel but rarely use it.
Dave
__________________
2006 Ford 6.0PSD EB-50/E-PH SMB 4X4 Rock Crawler Trailer
Sportsmobile 4X4 Adventures.......... On and off road adventures
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09-18-2011, 03:40 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Washington - Ridgefield
Posts: 4,728
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Re: Sizing solar panels
Our Norcold refrigRuns less than half the time, so the power needed from a solar panel is reduced from what it would be if the refrig ran continuously.
Before solar, we could camp 2-3 days on our 2 group 27 batteries. We added the solar panel (Kyocera 135W) and are quite happy with it. Only in a heavily shaded campsite in Yosemite have we needed to charge the batteries when camped. Other than that, camping for a week or more is not a problem
Other than the refrig, we sometimes watch movies on a small DVD player/TV. The 135W is plenty for us.
Mike
__________________
Alaska to Key West, Labrador and more
Prostate cancer survivor. See Thread Prostate cancer and Sportsmobiles
2015 VW GTI 2020 Fiat 124 Spider
2012 E250 Hitop camper
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09-18-2011, 04:01 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Western Colorado
Posts: 1,228
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Re: Sizing solar panels
Another satisfied 135 watt user here.
__________________
Desert Solitaire
2003 7.3L EB 4x4
Timberline 4x4 conversion
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09-18-2011, 04:55 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 79
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Re: Sizing solar panels
Sportsmobile has a good web page full of info on how to size a solar system:
http://sportsmobile.com/5_sys_solar.html
Rick L
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09-18-2011, 05:53 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Seattle
Posts: 173
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Re: Sizing solar panels
Thanks all! And a big Dope Slap to me for not thinking to check the Sportsmobile Website.
Tom
__________________
2005 SMB RB 50 4X4 w/ a 6.0 PSD
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09-18-2011, 06:08 PM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,179
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Re: Sizing solar panels
Quote:
Originally Posted by flyfisher
Thanks all! And a big Dope Slap to me for not thinking to check the Sportsmobile Website.
Tom
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Actually, I find some satisfaction that people check here first, and then the SMB website.
__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.
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09-19-2011, 10:08 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: SE Washington
Posts: 1,029
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Re: Sizing solar panels
I noticed all the people who replied were from California or Colorado. The OP is in Seattle. It would be interesting to hear about experiences from Seattle or other PNW locations. The latitude, weather, and tree cover could make a difference.
__________________
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2009 E250 RB 5.4L "SilVan"
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09-19-2011, 04:36 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: California
Posts: 1,012
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Re: Sizing solar panels
Quote:
The latitude, weather, and tree cover could make a difference.
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I recently installed a 200w Sovello solar panel which outputs 8-9 amps in direct sunlight. I just got back from a 4 day trip in the southern Sierra's and it kept up with my electrical draw. I was getting approximately 4 hours of direct sunlight per day with partial shading for 8 hours.
My calculated usage:
Code:
Amps/hour Number of hours Total amps
Refrig. 3E - 2.7CF 2.5 16 40
LED lights .3 5 1.5
Espar D5 3.0 2 6
Water pump 4.0 1 4
CO2/CO detector .1 24 2.4
Blue-Sky controller .017 24 .4
Total 54.3
Picture of campsite, driver side was facing east.
http://www.sovello.com/en/products/p...configuration/
__________________
2006 E350 6.0PSD 5R110, SMB 4X4, RB-50, ARB lockers front/rear, Aluminess galore, AMP steps.
Callsign KK6GIY
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