Can anyone tell me about a solar panel / battery system to run this? I would like to use it in a small RV.
273937
Yes this will work. You will need a solar panel that will recharge the battery draw (you can calculate this from the watt output of different panels) and a battery large enough to provide the current draw without getting below 10.5 before it gets recharged by the panel. You also would want a marine style deep cycle or at least a start/deep cycle combo battery. Remember that solar panels and batteries are not 100% efficient so calculate the load accordingly. All that said I do just this on my boat along with running additional DC loads and don't need to run my aux engine to recharge the hose bank while at anchor. Yes this will work. You will need a solar panel that will recharge the battery draw (you can calculate this from the watt output of different panels) and a battery large enough to provide the current draw without getting below 10.5 before it gets recharged by the panel. You also would want a marine style deep cycle or at least a start/deep cycle combo battery. Remember that solar panels and batteries are not 100% efficient so calculate the load accordingly. All that said I do just this on my boat along with running additional DC loads and don't need to run my aux engine to recharge the hose... » Read More Yes this will work. You will need a solar panel that will recharge the battery draw (you can calculate this from the watt output of different panels) and a battery large enough to provide the current draw without getting below 10.5 before it gets recharged by the panel. You also would want a marine style deep cycle or at least a start/deep cycle combo battery. Remember that solar panels and batteries are not 100% efficient so calculate the load accordingly. All that said I do just this on my boat along with running additional DC loads and don't need to run my aux engine to recharge the hose bank while at anchor. « Show Less
273938
It has a hook up for 12 volt D/C or 120 volt A/C so it will work off your RV batteries. I am currently using it in my 18 wheeler and it runs off 4 batteries I have in my truck. I can leave it running over the weekend and still crank up the truck Monday morning. So there should be no problem of a solar system keeping a battery charged to run it. One thing I do not like is it has to sit flat like a chest. As you see it pictured that it how it has to stay to run. You cannot turn it up like a regular refrigerator.
273939
If you have 1 deep cell battery connected to a 45 watt or more solar panel you will have enough power to run it and charge your cell phones.
273940
Can't help on the solar panel. I have used the 12v option off of my house batteries. The unit worked fine
273941
I don't know about solar panels, I've run mine on a 12v deep cycle battery for about 28 hrs, and it was working fine.
2079607
I think it really depends on several factors. Are you going with 12V system or 24V system. I am using the solar panel for 12v system on my RV in remote areas and have an inverter to run few 110v devices. Typically I get 10 amps during the day in the summer and less in the winter months. You can get more with better controller. With 4 storage batteries it is adequate. If I was in a cabin I would try to maximize on power capable on this panel and build a 24v system and use an inverter to supply 110v for in the cabin. With 24v system, because this panel output is 37v you get more power. It also depends on what appliances you have in mind. In general you really can't run any appliances that use lot of power like large fans for long. But you learn to convert everything to low energy use devices. I have converted all the lights to LEDs. Prior to conversion regular lights would drain the batteries in hours. But with LEDs it takes weeks. I think with enough storage batteries one panel is adequate, but if you spend lot of time in the cabin in the winter months, I would install 2 or more. In general this large 37v panel is better buy than several 18v panels. Hope that helps.
1729374
It could be done, but 50 watts probably wouldn't do the trick. You could tie together more than one panel, though, for more power, or use a larger panel. If you do buy solar and plan to use a lead-acid battery, spend a little more and buy a PWM controller. (Look at Sunguard controllers). It costs a little more, but you'll get more output from the same panel. Controllers are used to prevent overcharging lead acid batteries. So, in short, it can be done. I love the Instapark panels. I dropped one from my RV and replaced it with the same model. Still need to see if I can have the glass replaced. They are not fragile, though. Have fun. It's a project. It could be done, but 50 watts probably wouldn't do the trick. You could tie together more than one panel, though, for more power, or use a larger panel. If you do buy solar and plan to use a lead-acid battery, spend a little more and buy a PWM controller. (Look at Sunguard controllers). It costs a little more, but you'll get more output from the same panel. Controllers are used to prevent overcharging lead acid batteries. So, in short, it can be done. I love the Instapark panels. I dropped one from my RV and replaced it with the same model. Still need to see if I can have the glass... » Read More It could be done, but 50 watts probably wouldn't do the trick. You could tie together more than one panel, though, for more power, or use a larger panel. If you do buy solar and plan to use a lead-acid battery, spend a little more and buy a PWM controller. (Look at Sunguard controllers). It costs a little more, but you'll get more output from the same panel. Controllers are used to prevent overcharging lead acid batteries. So, in short, it can be done. I love the Instapark panels. I dropped one from my RV and replaced it with the same model. Still need to see if I can have the glass replaced. They are not fragile, though. Have fun. It's a project. « Show Less
434841
I think it would work just fine for the amount of power it would draw. Although you stated that it is a 12 volt system so you could run it directly from a battery unless you wanted to use an AC to Dc adapter.
1378034
If you are living in a RV, spend the extra money and get a MPPT charge controller. I found a cheap priced one made by Tracer. They make a 10, 20, 30, and 40 amp. They are a lot more efficient than a PWM controller.
1625344
I use just this one battery hooked up to a small inverter, and an 85 watt solar panel (DC to AC) to run equipment in my small woodworking shop. Have not used this battery independently for DC power.
165915
You need a charge controller, otherwise you will fry your batteries...This also a 24 volt panel, so you will need solar charge controller tha can handle up to 45 volts.
304630
I run mine on a 12 volt battery for 20 hours with no issues, I would think the right solar panel would work.
1055545
I recommend you read my review. I managed to make this work but DO NOT EXPECT the solar to do anything at all. The panel it comes with is only 1/3 the power required to run the system. It is a 10W panel and you need 30W. They will happily sell you additional panels. The batteries are also worthless. The system has no way to charge them. You actually need to connect them to an external charger to do this. The solar won't charge them. They will also sell you a solar charging module. In the end I removed the solar and the batteries and have it wired to A/C power. Oh and another thing, I have replaced the main control board 3 times since I bought it. The customer service to make this happen as horrible. I am now out of warranty and if the system dies I will simply spend the money and replace it with a higher quality one. Now I am basing this on the kit I purchased 2 years ago. It would be nice if they have changed it but I would not count on it. I hope this helps.
262551
i use it with two deepcycle batteries, i have a solar cell 68w connected to the batteries, it runs all the time with this setup in my camper
982327
Hi, Sharon. It seems to me that a camper would utilize a solar panel that is permanently mounted. A "hard" panel, as opposed to this folding unit would be cheaper. Perhaps 1/3rd of the cost for the same wattage. You're paying quite a bit more to have the folding/soft and light style. This unit is more for having in a car or boat, or even a backpack, and put into action only when needed-- and not permanently affixed to the top of a parked RV or camper, during the week, charging the batteries for the next excursion IMHO. But to answer your question, my controller inputs take two bare wires from the panel. So I modified the adapter (that has alligator clips) that the panel came with by cutting the clips off so that the terminal ends are bare. The controller then locked them in with screws. You could actually just cut the plug off from the terminal end of the wire coming out of the panel, but I feel better about chopping up an adapter than cutting the plug off of the panel. Anyway, I hope I answered your question without rambling too much. -Scott
330824
Other than a solar panel(s), you will need a charge controller, battery bank and an AC inverter. If you can run your lights and electronics on DC battery power, then an inverter would not be needed. Misc. wiring, fuses and battery disconnect would also be needed. Web sources like &lt;homepower.com&gt; would be great sources of information on setting up a small system.
398482
I used a 12 volt deep cycle marine battery. I had purchased this solar panel, and also an 800 watt inverter. Along with the deep cycle battery as I mentioned, I was able to run my C-Pap machine (I have sleep apnea) at Elk hunting camp for 7 days. I like the solar panel a lot!
2195110
Yes! It runs directly in panel , no battery, I use it in my farms but I have fixed a 250 watt panel!
392410
There is no simple answer. Most solar panels have a fixed 12 volt output rated in amps. People who use several batteries use a device called a controller. For off grid small batteries like yours, one solar panel should work. I se a Solar5 panel and it keeps a battery like yours charged up. For me, it is stand by power only. the 5 means it has a maximum 5 amp output in full sun. The best way is to use a controller as the other folks wrote
281511
Ms. Fearneyhough, Hello From Explore ElectricWe received your question and are glad to help. For outdoor and RV applications the Solar Extreme should work very well. Because the inverter Go Power uses with the Solar Extreme Kit is designed for outdoor and RV applications, it uses a non-bonded ground system. Domestic (indoor) applications would need an inverter with a bonded ground. Because you are referring to an off-grid situation, we're going to assume that means indoor usage - and for that use we would not recommend this kit. Feel free to let us know if we can be of further help. Regards,Steve Ms. Fearneyhough, Hello From Explore ElectricWe received your question and are glad to help. For outdoor and RV applications the Solar Extreme should work very well. Because the inverter Go Power uses with the Solar Extreme Kit is designed for outdoor and RV applications, it uses a non-bonded ground system. Domestic (indoor) applications would need an inverter with a bonded ground. Because you are referring to an off-grid situation, we're going to assume that means indoor usage - and for that use we would not recommend this kit. Feel free to let us know if we can be of further... » Read More Ms. Fearneyhough, Hello From Explore ElectricWe received your question and are glad to help. For outdoor and RV applications the Solar Extreme should work very well. Because the inverter Go Power uses with the Solar Extreme Kit is designed for outdoor and RV applications, it uses a non-bonded ground system. Domestic (indoor) applications would need an inverter with a bonded ground. Because you are referring to an off-grid situation, we're going to assume that means indoor usage - and for that use we would not recommend this kit. Feel free to let us know if we can be of further help. Regards,Steve « Show Less
560722
this is a 12 volt system, the bigger the battery the longer it will last, I have a small solar panel on mine and it will run all the time.