Re: Advice on storing FT without power
Reply #11 –
+2 on solar. Even though our coach is stored with power, I let the solar system do most of the battery maintenance (and all the chargine in summer). Does not take much solar power to keep up with the "parasitic" loads and it even extends your ability to dry camp. Depending upon what they will charge you for a hookup, you might find it cheaper to use a good solar system and charge controller anyway. If they want $100 a month for powered storage then one year of that would pay for 240-watts of solar panel and an MPPT charge controller.
240 watt solid panels are around $200 (the 24vdc versions) and the best solar charge controller, a Midnite Classic 150, is $650 but can handle a killowatt of panels allowing for expansion. Amazon has MPPT solar charge controller for around $100 (you'd need a 24vdc to 12vdc model that can handle at least 20-amps).
Amazon.com : MPPT Tracer 2210RN Solar Charge Controller Regulator 12/24V INPUT
There are some new flexible (thinner and lighter but more expensive) out there... like this one for just under $400: EVTV Motor Verks Store: Flexible Solar Panel 180w, Solar, Boat and Golf,
Flat, flexible panels offer little drag and some of them can even be (carefully) walked on. Almost invisible from the ground, too. They might even increase resale value.
But if you just want to keep up with the parasitic loads you can buy a 50-watt 12vdc panel, build a frame for it facing towards the southern sun, and a cheap little controller and use clamps to hook it up to the battery bank. Under $200.
Solar panels do not mix well (they have to have nearly the same voltage in parallel and nearly the same current in series) so if you think you might want more than just the bare minimum it's best to buy all the same panels at one go. Saves on shipping costs, too.
Craig
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Topic: Advice on storing FT without power