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Old 12-02-2015, 07:43 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Generator or solar

So we want to have a washer/dryer, A/C and fridge and lights
We want solar but afraid the amount of power I will need I would need alot of panels to run everything.

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Old 12-02-2015, 07:55 PM   #2
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Running a dryer from anything other than straight a/c is going to be very difficult. Most are 220v, I have a small one that is 110v but they all require a lot of amps.
You can't really run any of that straight from the panels. maybe just the lights. You well need a large battery bank, with a solar charger. Then an inverter to convert the batteries to a/c voltage. A generator might also be necessary to run all that.

As far as how many panels depends on their amp out put, hoe big of battery pack, and how big of an inverter.
Start with the amp draw of your appliances, add them up and go from there
HTH
Eric
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Old 12-02-2015, 08:56 PM   #3
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You have to be realistic about what you can run off of solar.

Here is the best source of information I have found on a solar setup. He speaks from actual experience.

https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/
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Old 12-02-2015, 09:39 PM   #4
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Porque no los dos?
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Old 12-02-2015, 11:22 PM   #5
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Ideally, both. Solar when it's good, generator when you need it.
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Old 12-03-2015, 12:26 AM   #6
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Roger what Puggy said!
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Old 12-03-2015, 04:05 AM   #7
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ditto puggy. i can run whole bus on solar without air conditioning or heaters. consider the dryer as a heater. lights, tv computers, fans, coffee pot (short term) microwave 700w (short term) and fridge and frezer are no problem unless more than 1 day cloudy sky. then generator runs them while charging battery pak.

anything that heats is min of 1500w and will kill the batteries in short order.
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Old 12-03-2015, 09:13 AM   #8
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What about a gas dryer? Many people around here have natural gas dryers which only require 120vac electricity for the tumbler motor and the electronics. They should be able to run off of propane by swapping the nozzles (like other natural gas/propane appliances). You'd need a dandy of a propane tank, though.
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