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01-02-2018, 11:36 AM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 3
Year: 1993
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
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electric appliances on solar power?
Hi All,
My husband & I are very new to this and have no electrical experience.
We were hoping to be able to run all-electric appliances to avoid propane, but we've seen mixed reviews on this when it comes to pairing with solar power.
We do have shore hookups, however, we'd like to be able to go off-grid on adventures once we install our solar panels.
Any and all insights are appreciated. Thank you!
Cheers,
Laura
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01-02-2018, 11:51 AM
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#2
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: The West
Posts: 1,210
Year: 1998
Coachwork: MCI
Chassis: 102 EL3
Engine: DD 60
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LauraB
My husband & I are very new to this and have no electrical experience.
We were hoping to be able to run all-electric appliances to avoid propane, but we've seen mixed reviews on this when it comes to pairing with solar power.
We do have shore hookups, however, we'd like to be able to go off-grid on adventures once we install our solar panels.
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Hi Laura, In my opinion, it is best to think of your battery bank as your electrical energy storage and then size it and your inverter to run whatever you desire/require. The solar panels are an input into that electrical storage bank.
So, yes, you can run whatever electrical appliances you desire from inverter/battery bank. What size inverter and battery bank do you need? it depends on what you plan to use and for how long. Answering that requires an energy budget/audit ( Energy Audit - Watt For? - JdFinley.com).
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01-03-2018, 06:55 AM
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#3
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 973
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LauraB
Hi All,
My husband & I are very new to this and have no electrical experience.
We were hoping to be able to run all-electric appliances to avoid propane, but we've seen mixed reviews on this when it comes to pairing with solar power.
We do have shore hookups, however, we'd like to be able to go off-grid on adventures once we install our solar panels.
Any and all insights are appreciated. Thank you!
Cheers,
Laura
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Focus you research on wattage of appliances...there is plate on every appliance that states the amperage...voltage is minor issue...you need to know amperage for wire size...and wattage to determine how much battery you need...typically electric heat is bad...consider propane...or diesel heat...if your rig is diesel that's a good option...diesel most expensive...good luck
Sent from my VS500PP using Tapatalk
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01-04-2018, 12:27 PM
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#4
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New Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 3
Year: 1993
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JDOnTheGo
Hi Laura, In my opinion, it is best to think of your battery bank as your electrical energy storage and then size it and your inverter to run whatever you desire/require. The solar panels are an input into that electrical storage bank.
So, yes, you can run whatever electrical appliances you desire from inverter/battery bank. What size inverter and battery bank do you need? it depends on what you plan to use and for how long. Answering that requires an energy budget/audit ( Energy Audit - Watt For? - JdFinley.com).
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JD, Thank you so much for your input! After doing the calculations, tt appears utilizing a combination of propane/solar might be the better option for us.
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01-04-2018, 12:29 PM
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#5
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New Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 3
Year: 1993
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jdawgsfanasty
Focus you research on wattage of appliances...there is plate on every appliance that states the amperage...voltage is minor issue...you need to know amperage for wire size...and wattage to determine how much battery you need...typically electric heat is bad...consider propane...or diesel heat...if your rig is diesel that's a good option...diesel most expensive...good luck
Sent from my VS500PP using Tapatalk
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Jdawg, i appreciate the insight! I think I'm going to go with propane for the kitchen appliances. it seems more practical and allows for better agility.
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01-04-2018, 04:45 PM
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#6
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 973
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LauraB
Jdawg, i appreciate the insight! I think I'm going to go with propane for the kitchen appliances. it seems more practical and allows for better agility.
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Awesomeness...have fun
Sent from my VS500PP using Tapatalk
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01-05-2018, 09:28 AM
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#7
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: The West
Posts: 1,210
Year: 1998
Coachwork: MCI
Chassis: 102 EL3
Engine: DD 60
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LauraB
JD, Thank you so much for your input! After doing the calculations, tt appears utilizing a combination of propane/solar might be the better option for us.
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Good choice - I think a combo setup is generally the best option for most folks. Stove, oven and refrigerator do not use much propane so you can expect good economy from it. It is usually the furnace that sucks down the propane.
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02-04-2018, 11:14 PM
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#8
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 386
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I'm working on an idea right now on building something like they use on a hot water pressure washer only a thermostatically controlled closed system with something like a heater core for the fan to heat the air with. Wouldn't be running constantly and it could be run in dc coach power. Whatcha think?
Sent from my LGL64VL using Tapatalk
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02-05-2018, 06:24 AM
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#9
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 973
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Quote:
Originally Posted by golfersmurf57
I'm working on an idea right now on building something like they use on a hot water pressure washer only a thermostatically controlled closed system with something like a heater core for the fan to heat the air with. Wouldn't be running constantly and it could be run in dc coach power. Whatcha think?
Sent from my LGL64VL using Tapatalk
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For? A heater?
Sent from my VS500PP using Tapatalk
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02-18-2018, 07:16 PM
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#10
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Almost There
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Posts: 71
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LauraB
Hi All,
My husband & I are very new to this and have no electrical experience.
We were hoping to be able to run all-electric appliances to avoid propane, but we've seen mixed reviews on this when it comes to pairing with solar power.
We do have shore hookups, however, we'd like to be able to go off-grid on adventures once we install our solar panels.
Any and all insights are appreciated. Thank you!
Cheers,
Laura
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There's always a compromise to be made here. If you want to run everything off of electric, you can definitely do it, but it will cost more in larger solar panels, charge controller, batteries, and inverter.
Propane is nice because it's super energy dense, both in volume and in weight. Carrying around a 20lb cylinder of propane for just water heating and cooking (for example) might equate to an extra 150 lb battery that then needs extra solar panel area to charge it. Exchanging a propane tank every once in a while is also a lot cheaper than buying an extra $1,000 of solar equipment.
__________________
Professionally converting vehicles and making custom furniture with a combined 14 years of mechanical/electrical engineering experience.
https://www.thunderstruck-studios.com/
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