Beginner Set up options- advice on which way to go

[nibbs]

First, let me say thanks to many of you on here as I've read countless threads and gained a bunch of info. I'm at a crossroads in some decision making here to figure out 'what is best' for my set up at this current period of time.

EDIT: Location primarily northeast- but travels take us through northern US and up to Canada at times - (Dakotas, Manitoba, etc.)

We've recently purchased an InTech Pursue flyer. For those unfamiliar, it comes with a 'Best' 24M3 marine battery, onboard inverter that powers a dometic CF 50 fridge/freezer, a few USB outlets, a few 110v outlets, a fantastic vent, and a few LED lights. There is an AC/Heater, but shore power is required and I'm not worried about that. I am planning to pick up a small solar 'trickle' charger (with controller) to keep the battery fresh while not in use, mainly cheap solution as I'd prefer not to/can't have an extension cord running to it always.

Use: Most of the use will be 2-3 day trips. With the family, it'll be some campgrounds- both rustic and not as we've got two young kids and some friends with the same who aren't quite as used to 'roughing it' as much as we are. I'll be using the trailer for some hunting trips as well by myself.

Options: I was originally planning on picking up a briefcase solar panel - probably 100W, just to help keep the battery from draining so quickly (if not topped off). There is a minimal draw, and again, MOST trips will be short in duration. In any of the hunting scenarios - I'll be able to set this up with good sunlight assuming the weather cooperates. In any of the camping scenarios- probably not so much as most of those areas will be partially shaded at best - if not under full shade. With those campgrounds, pending the campground, there are always the options of hook up sites if really needed and then, no solar required.

Now, I'm thinking why would I go through this trouble when I could put that same money towards a small generator. Some of those campgrounds don't allow generators; but again- shore power available if we were going for a longer stay. Everywhere else, I'd be fine. I would eventually look into getting a generator anyways at some point in time.

Here's how I see it, and looking for some advice from others who have lived it and then changed their minds:

Trickle charger, and 100w solar set up
Trickle charger, generator (now or later... see how it goes)
30W (or so) panel for both battery and/or supplement, generator later on anyways

I'm one to try to do things right the first time, and over analyzing each scenario to make sure it's 'right' - so any advice/suggestions are absolutely welcome.

Thanks!

 

[john61ct]

200W would be a good starting point for when cycling, but only bother with solar for scenarios where you have access to full unshaded sun.

High voltage panels can be set far away from the van if you're say parked at the edge of a field.

15-30W is only suitable for storage, don't skimp on a reliable controller so you don't cook the batt, better to just hook up say a couple days per month.

A Honda inverter genny can be **very** quiet.

 

[Bear in NM]

Ok, I'll jump in. I am not the most experienced here as to giving advice, but have come a long way in the last couple of years. And, I run my setups much as you propose, 2-3 camp trips, and hunting trips.

Off the top, you are probably going to have to give us some sense of location, as there is a vast difference on the solar side, between places like the US SW and PNW or Alberta Canada. A lot of folks here actually live off grid, so you will need to sort through a lot of information to figure out whether things apply.

I have a portable suitcase I built with 75 AH's worth of battery, much the same as your battery. I have a larger system that was in my trailer, that I am now fitting into my new van. This is 160 AH of battery. I run an Arb 63 quart fridge, probably similar to your, run led's and charge small devices.

The first thing I figured out, and has worked is that I picked up a good battery charger. Not going to get into the weeds here, but the Walmart type Schumacher's do not fit this bill, IMHO. For the life of your battery, and maximize 2-3 day trips, you need to charge fully before leaving, and soon upon return. Not sure, but maybe your trailer has one built into the existing system. If so, I would make sure it is a good one. If not, add to it. If you only have red light green light "idiot" style state of charge indicators, it would be helpful to have a way to actually measure volts and amps. When one has a massive battery bank, or excess solar, one can get away with not getting into the weeds on charging and use.

Obviously, hooking up to shore power camping is pretty much NA here. With your 80 ah battery and no shore, you will be on the edge with those AH's and a 100 watt panel. Between your stated loads and and any additional devices that get plugged into your 110 outlets, your going to need a little sun, and have to futz with making sure your panel is in the sun, and pointed a bit. With your 80ah battery reduced to 40ah (50% capacity) you might make it into Sunday, if you pay attention to solar and load. For me to make it on a long weekend, here in the SW, with my 75ah batteries and 135 watt panel, I need to really pay attention to solar and load.

With my 160ah batteries and 135w panel, I can make a long weekend, no problem, with making the panel gets some sun, but not getting too anal. I ran my 135w glass panel and portable goal zero 100 with my 160ah system last hunting season for a week without issue. I only had 1 day of fog and snow, and had good sun otherwise. I probably would have done OK with my 75ah system, but if the weather would have come in for a few days, it would have been tough.

I have an older Honda generator that I have not used at all, but did have it with me for my hunt last year. It would suck to have to use it on a hunt, but it does afford piece of mind. I'll probably have it in my new van for trips, more as my Van is a two battery system, turbo diesel that has a finicky starting system. I need some time with it to get a comfort level. So while I have turned into a solar junkie of sorts, the generator is peace of mind, for sure.

You have a lot of unknowns going into this, so I would caution that while you want to get it right this first time, it's probably not going to happen. Probably the easiest way to start would be to see if you can shoehorn an additional battery into your system. If you can get 80 usable ah's, and start fully charged, you can piddle with the smaller solar system to see how things go. I would make sure that the solar controller that you buy can handle adding panels.

Having a generator is not a bad thing, even if seldom used. I went straight to solar, knowing I had my generator. I quickly realized that 75ah of battery was going to be tough.

As this tread progresses, I am sure things will shake out a bit.

Craig

 

[nibbs]

Off the top, you are probably going to have to give us some sense of location, as there is a vast difference on the solar side, between places like the US SW and PNW or Alberta Canada. A lot of folks here actually live off grid, so you will need to sort through a lot of information to figure out whether things apply.

Having a generator is not a bad thing, even if seldom used. I went straight to solar, knowing I had my generator. I quickly realized that 75ah of battery was going to be tough.


Craig

Thanks (all) for the info thus far. Edited my location info in the original post - no where with ideal sun angles, especially during the real travel months (fall/winter) for us.

I toyed with the idea of do I look into a battery bank and the whole 9- and figured that I would not just yet. Someday, I can upgrade the battery for sure, and that will happen as we sort things out. I can charge via the trailer, and do have some monitors that I'm wiring in on the way. For now and the driveway tests, I've just pulled out the mulitmeter, but not like we've been under any crazy load/use. Thanks for the feedback and explaining your trials/tribulations. Exact experiences that give me great info. I knew the 100w system would be more of a limp with this battery; so I don't drain as quickly rather than supply; and that's what bothered me the most.

We'll have a roof top tent on top of the trailer, so fixing some larger panels isn't an option.

Absolutely on charging up before heading out of town each time. In short, both my wife and I grew up with week plus long backpacking trips - so everything we have now is a luxury in that sense. It does make me think that upgrading the battery sooner might not be a horrible option- gain that reserve knowing a 3 day trip will be worry free. With the younger kids, those trips are more for fun and with them. As they get older, I'm sure we'll push out further and longer; and that's where most of these questions stem from. If it's just me and the dogs on those trips now... nobody is yelling at me that we have a great new trailer and no power- ha ha.

 

[Bear in NM]

Nibbs,

Yes, I think solar in the more northerly latitudes is much more challenging, especially in that time of the year.

I too started out doing things from my back, so really appreciate things like not having to use perked coffee in my bowl of instant oatmeal, to facilitate weight, speed and stuffing back in my pack.....

When you noted kids, I assumed older, with older friends, and lots and lots of "things" needing recharging. With the smaller kids, they may not demand energy, but they will certainly be tripping around camp, and solar wires may be an issue. I do a lot of solo camping, and there is a lot less stress, for sure. About the only absolute trip wrecker for me would be dead starting batteries. Beyond that, if the fridge cant be run, I could go and get ice, in some cases. Or drink warm beer. No big deal in the grand scheme.

Sounds like you understand that you need to know how much you use, to know where you need to go for recharging. I test everything for amps. One thing I wonder about your fridge is whether it is installed to run off the inverter, or DC? If you are not really running the 110, you might save some amps here, by hooking the fridge to DC, or maybe a switch?

One thing about this forum. You can gain nuggets in almost every thread. Stuff for now, maybe for the future. First thing I did when deciding to go solar, I went through every backpage here in the 12volt forum. And right now I am making my way through the backpages of the solar subforum on the SMB website/forum. My "new" van led me to them, and there is a lot of info that tends to be van specific. The info is out there....

Craig

 

[nibbs]

Excellent Points- especially about running and tripping... I've had a hard enough time keeping them from tripping over tent stakes let alone solar wires and panels... Ours are 2 and 5, and the friends' are ranging from 2-6; so yes, disastrous - ha ha.

Fridge does have both a 110v and DC mode.

Finding this forum invaluable with info- which is both good and bad at times... well, if you want to stick to a budget- ha ha.

Thanks again for the assistance - and FYI, if you pretend those little grounds are 'flavor crystals,' it helps the with the oatmeal.

 

[Bear in NM]

Well, when it's 4 o'clock in the morning, and you are trying to beat the elk to the high meadows and working by headlamp, they could be coffee grounds, crystals, last nights dehydrated peas that did not fully hydrate or anything in between. And good, no matter........;^)

Those days were fun, and I think the reason I crack a smile every time I look at my Arb Fridge. Sounds like your gal/wife has a similar background, which will makes things easier. I truly believe there is a different mindset between "moving all of your house stuff to camp" v. "what can we add to make camping more enjoyable".

And the trick to cruising here is to not have Amazon open in another tab. Or at least have enough restraint to place items in the wish list rather the cart, pending further research. I have spent a lot of money, but to date most everything gets used.