What good is the 100 watt solar panel?

[jrobnett]

Seems like trying to empty the ocean with a thimble. I am considering ordering a Journey 42e and was wondering if it was worth ordering. My Vista has a 235 watt panel and it could use more.

[MandG-Fun]

If Winnebago planned properly it should produce enough power to keep your batteries charged when not in use. Of course, assuming you have reasonable amount of sun on the panel and you have turned everything off.

[dengraham]

Jrobnett,
The real question is how much time are you not going to be connected to a land line? You already will have 6 glassmat batteries which will last 24 to 48 hours for your refrigerator. When you travel your alternator will charge the batteries; so when do you need additional battery power? If you dry camp then 100 watt will not help much anyway unless you up it to at least 400 watts.
>> Dennis

[YC1]

The RV should come pre-wired so just add your own base on your needs. I have 170 watts which is plenty for my style of rving. When boondocking it would be nice to have a thousand. Some day the whole roof will come as a solar panel.

[Doggy Daddy]

Check out what AM Solar offers. They carry 100 watt, 105 watt , 135 watt and 160 watt panels.
These High Efficiency Solar Panels turn Sunlight into Power for your RV Lifestyle

[lajuene]

I 2nd the AM Solar comment.

[vsheetz]

Originally Posted by jrobnett

Seems like trying to empty the ocean with a thimble. I am considering ordering a Journey 42e and was wondering if it was worth ordering. My Vista has a 235 watt panel and it could use more.

100w panel they are offering is enough for just battery maintenance.

Attached here is write-up of my 600/800w system.

[lajuene]

Here's my wife's blog posts for our visit to AM Solar:

http://walkaboutwithwheels.blogspot....-am-solar.html

http://walkaboutwithwheels.blogspot....-am-solar.html

http://walkaboutwithwheels.blogspot....-am-solar.html

http://walkaboutwithwheels.blogspot....vice-hall.html

[Bumps]

I like the 100watt solar panel option to charge chassis batteries; nice to hear that it is available from the factory on the new MHs. All I got on my MH was the old standard 10watt panel -- was not really very effective, at least for me. I replaced the 10watt panel with a 100watt panel (and upgraded wiring and a small charge controller) and my chassis batteries are now always fully charged. With the 10watt panel, I almost always had to use the 'Battery Boost' switch to get the MH started after sitting for a couple/three weeks. Also helps if you need to move a slide in or out and don't want to start the engine to do it.

If the 235watt solar panel is for coach batteries, then there are a lot more questions that need to be asked (like some of them in the posts before me). In-and-of-itself, one 235watt panel wouldn't do me much good, in light of my style of camping. Your needs are prolly different, tho.

I agree with the favorable comments about AM Solar. Good folks there.

\ken

[cochise1949]

Is it possible to add a second panel or two to the 100w panel/system Winnebago puts on the roof using the factory controller etc. Nothing changes except the number of panels. Our Adventurer 38Q has a 2KW Inverter.

[terry735001]

keep in mind every RV maker loves to save money on cost every way they can

so like some say adding a second panel may be bad

this 100watt panel only puts out around 5 to 6 amp

so the installed wire may be sized only fro this smaller load
the charge controller may all so only be a 7 amp unit

you may have to uninstall there wiring and controller as it may be under sized for what you want SO paying money for some thing that is not going to be used .. well you know

you dont want a fire

[tbethurum]

Started with a Sun Setter 30 controller from Blue Sky, 100 watt panel from AM Solar ran #8 Wire just added another panel 11.4 amps at Noon the other day will add another panel this winter works for me I think 16 amps will be all I need until next MH purchase.