Log In | Register
Skip to main content
Topic: Solar upgrade, a year later update (Read 385 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Solar upgrade, a year later update
Had AM Solar upgrade my new 2017 TK a year ago.

850 watts of solar
400ah of low temperature LioN batteries
3000 watt inverter
Misc such as a soft start on the AC, new charge controller, etc

At the time, it was way more than I needed, but I like never plugging in or using the generator.

Game changing uses I have found since:

StarLink
   Uses 120V power (without a kit to convert it)

Usual kitchen appliances (microwave, coffee maker, toaster)
    Using them without having to power up the generator is amazing.
    Before, the microwave was just a fancy bread box.

AC/Heat pump usage for a couple hours

Induction burner
   Easily three times faster than cooking with the anemic propane stove top,
   Doesn’t heat up the house as much, and can be used outside with an
   extension cord off the refrigerator outlet.  For those unfamiliar with
   induction, it heats the pan magnetically, out performs gas burners.

Ninja Speedi air fryer
   Last summer was miserable using the oven to roast veggies as it heats
   the house during the 30-40 minute roasting & takes forever to cool down.

   Decided to try an Air Fryer, picked the Speedi because it’s the easiest to  
   clean.  Roasts in 10-15 minutes, much less heating of the house, and like
   the induction burner can be moved outside.   There are lots of other modes
   makes killer fish & chips, etc, but just the quick roasting is enough to
   justify the space it takes.

Honorable mention, running the stock fridge off AC for 12 hours.  Rarely done, it’s on propane 98% of the time, but it has been useful on the six of our ferry crossings this summer, where propane must be shut off.
Dave

2017 TK
Re: Solar upgrade, a year later update
Reply #1 –
Just an observation and a couple questions....
Quality Solar Rough& Ready/Grass Valley CA - AM Solar certified installer
2022
560 watts solar (previous install)
300AH Lithium batt
2000 watt inverter.
Brought it home, tested reefer: chilled from 80 deg to operating temps overnight drew 210 Amps from battery.
Haven't tested maintenance load.  (the next day the first of 9 (nine) atmospheric rivers chained together arrived so recovery a bit slow  ::) ).

Your 12 hours running the reefer on 6 crossings - was the rig outside to recharge?  What was the longest crossing?
Thanks for the travelogue and posts.
joel
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: Solar upgrade, a year later update
Reply #2 –
Oh yes, the simple joys of a ‘Gold Medallion Home’. With our solar upgrade, came the advantage of running the Dometic fridge on electric while driving down the highway. It’s a kick to see my solar bringing in (on a sunny day) almost twice the watts the fridge needs to operate.

Plenty of advantages to our upgrade. Like they say, “No regrets”.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Solar upgrade, a year later update
Reply #3 –
Quote from: joel wiley  - 
Your 12 hours running the reefer on 6 crossings - was the rig outside to recharge?  What was the longest crossing?
Inside the ferry, covered, no charging.

Four 3 hour crossings
One 6 hour crossing
One 37 hour crossing (Bellingham to Ketchikan)

Add about two hours to the crossing time from when I shutdown propane until we’re off the ferry.

I set the refrigerator to the second lowest temp, and run off AC, uses up to 25% of the battery, so I figure I could do a crossing up to 12 hours.   Had to defrost on the 37 hour, and will again on an upcoming 30 hour.
Dave

2017 TK
Re: Solar upgrade, a year later update
Reply #4 –
Thanks.  That info is helpful for planning (including packing reefer for longer ferry trip)
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: Solar upgrade, a year later update
Reply #5 –
Quote from: Kent Heckethorn  - 
Oh yes, the simple joys of a ‘Gold Medallion Home’. With our solar upgrade, came the advantage of running the Dometic fridge on electric while driving down the highway. It’s a kick to see my solar bringing in (on a sunny day) almost twice the watts the fridge needs to operate.

Plenty of advantages to our upgrade. Like they say, “No regrets”.

Kent
Sounds like you are set for an upgrade to a compressor fridge - far lower AC power consumption, and also allowing for longer between refills on your propane, and faster cooling and better temperature control. They are a bit noisier, though.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Replacement interior florescent fixtures, or new circuit boards?
Reply #6 –
15 months ago we ditched the four T0-105 lead-acid batteries for 200-amp/hours of lithium batteries, losing over 250 lbs in the process. The underframe mount added a lot of weight. The 560 watts of solar has maxed out the Blue Sky 3000i and allows high amperage charging any time the sun is shining. A 2200-watt inverter was added a the same time to run the microwave and Ryobi and bike battery chargers. The solar has been able to keep the battery charged without running the generator or needing shore power, the only exception came recently after a full week of camping in the deep shade of Olympic NP where a 1-1/2 hour generator run was needed, not bad for over a year of frequent camping. It is impressive how fast the batteries recharge with solar, changing to lithium felt like adding an extra solar panel or two

Besides the lights, vent fans, and electronics, the system runs a 40 qt compressor ice chest which will be useful for long ferry crossings such as the long passages Dave K. is taking this summer. On our South-East Alaska trip years ago we had to forgo taking food that needed refrigeration on the long 36-hour passage from Bellingham to Ketchikan. An electric ice chest would allow taking a decent amount of frozen food, keeping the less perishable items in a large styrofoam ice chest. We are thinking about trying this again next summer.

Electric compressor refrigerators are very appealing but are not practical for our style of camping, we like shade. Our 24' LD does not have the roof space for the additional solar panels that would be needed for our usage, much less the space for two or three more batteries. The upgrades made to the propane refrigerator have made it work fine in hot climates...our driveway at home is a great test center in the summer.

Orcas island
Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Solar upgrade, a year later update
Reply #7 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
Besides the lights, vent fans, and electronics, the system runs a 40 qt compressor ice chest which will be useful for long ferry crossings such as the long passages Dave K. is taking this summer. On our South-East Alaska trip years ago we had to forgo taking food that needed refrigeration on the long 36-hour passage from Bellingham to Ketchikan. An electric ice chest would allow taking a decent amount of frozen food, keeping the less perishable items in a large styrofoam ice chest. We are thinking about trying this again next summer.
We have a Dometic CFX 35W, pre LD days, basically lives in my wife’s small SUV.   Great for having a freezer/cooler at a moment’s notice.

Considered bringing it for the two long passages but couldn’t justify the space for four months, just for a couple early crossings.

Probably could have squeezed enough out of the 400ah in this last crossing, but we arrive 8pm with no significant sunlight to recover.

Dave
Sitka, AK
Dave

2017 TK
Re: Solar upgrade, a year later update
Reply #8 –
A couple of questions:
I’ve never done a ferry crossing. Do you stay in the RV during the ride?

If you pack the fridge and freezer with ice, and didn’t open the doors, would that not keep the refrigerator items cold enough for the crossing?
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Solar upgrade, a year later update
Reply #9 –
Quote from: Dave Katleman  - 
Considered bringing it for the two long passages but couldn’t justify the space for four months, just for a couple early crossings.

Probably could have squeezed enough out of the 400ah in this last crossing, but we arrive 8pm with no significant sunlight to recover.

That what generators are made for.
Anyway, it doesn’t stay dark very much in  early summer up north.

San Juan Island
Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Solar upgrade, a year later update
Reply #10 –
Quote from: HiLola  - 
A couple of questions:
I’ve never done a ferry crossing. Do you stay in the RV during the ride?

If you pack the fridge and freezer with ice, and didn’t open the doors, would that not keep the refrigerator items cold enough for the crossing?
^

It depends on the ferry. Open deck ferrys allow staying in the vehicle. Ferrys that park the vehicle inside the ship do not allow staying inside the vehicle. Vehicles usually can be accessed every few hours for short periods.
We are now on an open deck ferry, sitting inside the Jeep.

Keeping food cool depends on the length of the passage.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
 
Re: Solar upgrade, a year later update
Reply #11 –
Quote from: HiLola  - 
A couple of questions:
I’ve never done a ferry crossing. Do you stay in the RV during the ride?

If you pack the fridge and freezer with ice, and didn’t open the doors, would that not keep the refrigerator items cold enough for the crossing?
Cannot stay with the RV unless it’s a short open deck ferry, which rarely travel more than 30 minutes, only ever been on two, one in Vermont, another from Vancouver Island to Quadra Island.

Propane must be turned off on closed deck ferries, means either turn off your fridge or run it on AC during the crossing.  I turned mine off, but turned it back on (AC) for the final 4-5 hours.   Long Alaska ferries allow for periodic car calls where you can visit the car deck.

Ice would work for the fridge, not sure plain ice would keep frozen food frozen, might need dry ice for that .
Dave

2017 TK