Best portable solar setup for camping?

What do you all use?

 

I have heard of people using Renogy solar. Im interested in what other have to say.

 

Zamp from offthegrid.

 

Goal Zero

 

I have two - 100watt panels from Renogy on my trailer - very well made and sturdy. There are some low profile and flexible ones you should look into too.

Dont buy “seconds” solar panels from @Generalbmills though, he has had some bad luck with them lately... poor guy!

 

Great thanks. I was looking at goal zero but wanted to hear about alternatives that aren’t as well advertised

 

Ok... but amazing customer service...if you have a issue or question... no I don’t work for them

 

That goes a long way. Thanks

 

Truck camper- Zamp 160w on roof and an 80w portable

 

What you want is a Renology 100W suitcase panel, about 40ft of wiring, and an MPPT controller.

 

renogy 150wt panel on roof.
renogy 40am moor commader
2x 66ah optima group d27f yellowtops. been running continuously for 2 plus months.

prior to that ran 2x 6v is battery 2200’s at 232ah and it ran continuous for 6 plus months on a giant snowmaster ex85d

also my batteries are closed loop and only getting charged via solar

 

You can make your own for cheap if your handy.

 

Why not charge the batteries via the alternator when you are on the road driving?

 

I use this: http://www.alwaysempowered.com/SG1L/

It has a hefty price tag (but if money is no object!), but it is a pretty sweet setup. The company I work for bought one from this company as they were a potential client. My company wanted to me test it out at my cabin with power tools and it works pretty well even with saws. I have been testing it for like a year, it's awesome!

 

I second goal zero. For solar setups.

 

I love threads like this. There is no best solar setup for camping. Every single setup needs to be matched to the load you intend to put on the system. Until you determine what your needs are you can’t design a thing.

My enclosed trailer / rv / racebike hauler has:
4x100w of renogy monocrystalline panels
1000w renogy pure sine wave inverter
1000w modified sine wave inverter (had it previously so it is backup/non sensitive loads)
4x150ah Interstate flooded 12v deep cycle golf cart batteries
Renogy commander 40w MPPT solar charge controller

In testing my 2x system with a pwm controller couldn’t keep up to running my 24” fan in bright sunlight and charge the batteries. Right away I knew I had to upgrade the controller at a minimum to achieve higher changing efficiency. I could have probably went with either more panels or more batteries once I upgraded my controller.

In terms of charging and storage capacity I am overkill now. If I need more I should be using my generator. For most people a generator should be their first choice base on cost and capability. I would only recommend solar for camping based on noise-less operation.

Now one thing to consider is how much space it will take up and how much it weighs. My batteries weigh 85lbs a piece so 340lbs total for 600ah of capacity. The panels are 16.5lbs each totaling 66lbs plus my custom framework. I am already at 400lbs without my frame or the wiring, controller and inverter. Quick guesstimate on price is approaching $2000CDN. Since we are talking numbers my interstate battery guy is a close family friend so I paid cost which cut the price of batteries in half. Generators sound really cheap and still have better output albeit noisier. Get a Honda inverter and you save a ton of cash and they are amazingly quiet.

 

because i’ve been running 9 months closed loop everyday 24 hours a day. why stress the shitty factory alternator when my panel and battery setup performs as good if not better.

 

DIY. Two 30-watters hinged together. The controller is in the tongue box.



Solar is simple.


SB

 

Here’s my setup. I’m looking forward to the next build for a mini system that would go in the back of a truck bed. This one is for offgrid camping with my family:

*Custom controller wiring board. Bogart Engineering amp meter trimetric (this is the key brain of the device). A very smart brain.

*Wiring board includes a shunt. All negs flow through the shunt. This measures amps instead of typical controllers that measure volts. Brain knows everything about my batteries, tells them what to do and how to ram them back full of energy. Overcharges as needed, fills back to 110% or more, plus many other features due to shunt setup. Adjusts and increases voltage to ram batteries full when at 90%. I know exactly how full my batteries are to the percent. Very helpful in managing consumption. I know exactly how much power each added device is drawing. Also helpful.

*Two 100 watt panels. One fixed on roof. Charges all the time while moving.

*second panel is mobile to move around and position to catch the sun. Especially good for shady campsites. Rigged to mobile 25’ custom extension cord, made from two welding wires zip tied together, 6 gauge to avoid voltage drop. Soldered quick connects using winch style disconnects. Second panel can be employed at sunrise with good efficiency.

*more big ass welding wire, again to avoid voltage drop. Some 6 gauge and some triple zero.

*a 600 watt pure sine inverter,second portable 2000 watt inverter mounted to a board with a rope handle, and custom welding wire connectors.

*automatic shore power transfer switch

* two 6 volt golf cart batteries wired as 12 volt. 220 amp hours. May upgrade to better batteries some day. Probably 6volt Crowns.

*temperature sensor (essential in cold weather)

*fuses, fuses, and big ass fuses.

 

Will a 200 watt fixed panel with mppt run 2 fridges 24/7 and some led lights for about 4 hours at night? 12v 175 ah dual battery set up