solar question

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Feb 20, 2008 | 09:19 PM

alberta46

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 224

Likes: 4

From: High River

solar question

I have just bought a new tt and was wondering if I could get some advice. It has the fridge furnace and hot water tank and I was wondering how big of a solar panel I would need to keep the battery charged for say ten days of camping? I have a 5.5 watt now but I think all it does is maintain or charge slightly any help appreciated.

Feb 20, 2008 | 09:42 PM

kermmydog

Post Fiend

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 9,176

Likes: 4

From: Western Central NV

You're Refer & hot water heater work on 12V? Your refer & hot water heater should work on propane. The panel you have should keep the battery charged with lights, water pump, radio, & furnace going if you aren't running the heat a lot. Remember you should also be able to charge your batteries with your tow vehicle. I can tell you that 2 deep cycle 6 volt batteries in series will last far longer than 2 deep cycle 12 volt batteries in parallel. With my wife & i we can live about a week on 7 gals of propane. We live year around full-time in a TT and have for 10 years. We have an 05 Tahoe 32' with a 12 ft slide-out.

Feb 21, 2008 | 07:35 PM

roostercrows

Laughing Gas

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 831

Likes: 0

From: Port Elgin, On

when we go camping the battery lasts easily the full 7 days, the fridge, stove, furnace and hot water heater are all propane, so really all I'm running is lights and an exhaust fan

Feb 21, 2008 | 08:41 PM

alberta46

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 224

Likes: 4

From: High River

I understand that everything works on propane but what about the fan for the furnace I would think that would use a lot of power. I just wondered if I should get a bigger solar panel. I think I am going to look into the golf cart batteries for sure.

Feb 24, 2008 | 11:30 PM

fasthauler

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 1,398

Likes: 17

From: Hesperia, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by alberta46

The amount of current the furnace draws depends on the type and size of the furnace. They can draw as low as 3.5 amps to a high of 9.5 amps. The average furnace draws about 6.5 amps. I use a 75 watt solar panel on my 5th wheel along with two 6 volt golf cart batteries. We run lights, furnace and TV on ours and the batteries will usually last 5 to 7 days depending on sun exposure and night time temperatures.