Solar Kit

[Radkins]

I like the idea of a kit for solar needs but am tirn about spending a bunch of money. Any one have thoughts on this kit. https://shopsolarkits.com/products/complete-off-grid-solar-kit-hbk-6-3

[Rwnielsen]

You cold put that together yourself for about half that amount.
I have 9.6kW in batteries, two charge controller/inverters capable or 120/240, 4.8kW and 80a each of charging.
Even with all the peripherals (wire, xfmrs, fuse blocks) I'm in around $4000 without panels. My system is 24 volt.

[Rucker]

Originally Posted by Radkins

I like the idea of a kit for solar needs but am tirn about spending a bunch of money. Any one have thoughts on this kit. https://shopsolarkits.com/products/c...ar-kit-hbk-6-3

Welcome to the forum. What kind of power needs do you have? That's a lot of solar.

[Hutchy]

Originally Posted by Radkins

I like the idea of a kit for solar needs but am tirn about spending a bunch of money. Any one have thoughts on this kit. https://shopsolarkits.com/products/c...ar-kit-hbk-6-3

before you buy anything look up will prowse on youtube and watch some of his videos

[Iceni John]

How can the Growatt Solar Charger (i.e. a PV charge controller?) have a "Pure Sine Wave waveform"?!? Just wonderin'...

John

[Hutchy]

Originally Posted by Iceni John

How can the Growatt Solar Charger (i.e. a PV charge controller?) have a "Pure Sine Wave waveform"?!? Just wonderin'...

John

I am pretty sure that's an all in one unit with an inverter in it

[Radkins]

I was going for a bit of over kill here. I was hoping to run some air-conditioning on the solar but am wondering if the over kill with solar is worth it. We plan on having the generator anyways for back up.

[Rucker]

Originally Posted by Radkins

I was going for a bit of over kill here. I was hoping to run some air-conditioning on the solar but am wondering if the over kill with solar is worth it. We plan on having the generator anyways for back up.

Set yourself up for success and search this skoolie forum for relevant topics. There has recently been quite a few posts about the feasibility of running air conditioning on batteries and I think some of us got wore out with the discussion.

Short version: Not enough roof space for the number of panels needed, even if you bought all the battery storage you needed. Get a generator and a couple of fans.

[HamSkoolie]

Originally Posted by Rucker

Set yourself up for success and search this skoolie forum for relevant topics. There has recently been quite a few posts about the feasibility of running air conditioning on batteries and I think some of us got wore out with the discussion.

Short version: Not enough roof space for the number of panels needed, even if you bought all the battery storage you needed. Get a generator and a couple of fans.

ON a 40' bus there is plenty of room for the panels and a properly designed system can indeed run A/C off solar. In fact our build has TWO AC units (front and rear) that pull 800W each when the compressor is on (which would rarely if ever be 100%). KEY is insulation to reduce the cooling load required. Keep in mind, if it's hot enough for A/C there is a good likelihood of plenty of sun. If the A/C is to combat high humidity like in the south and on the east coast, that might not be true.
Our system includes a 2500 +/- watts of panels, 10.24kWh of lithium rated for 7000 cycles to 80% DOD, and a Victron multi-plus inverter/charger/transfer switch.

If the batteries are at full charge they will be able to run one A/C unit at 80% duty cycle for 12.8 hours with zero input and only be at 80% DOD. Since that would only occur at night, while in our bedroom, the 80% duty cycle is WAY WAY high since the square footage will only be about 70SqFt and the AC unit is intended for 400-450 SqFt (plus the ceiling is a whole lot lower than that the AC unit rating was determined with.
We will have a small generator, sufficient to recharge the batteries while running normal household loads. It will be remote start so if the batteries get low, it's just the push of a button to put some juice back in them.

AC is indeed doable if it is part of an integrated set of systems.
As for the solar kit. That's a lot of money but not THAT much compared to a really nice DIY system. If you don't have the skills, or know someone with them, to design a system from components, it might be worth it. For us, we're going with used solar panels, the victron multi-plus and other components, along with server rack lithium batteries. The batteries and multi-plus alone are close to $5000 without charge controllers, panels, mounting, wires, etc.

[Meathead]

When I started my bus didn’t know much about solar and I needed power to build my bus. So I bought a kit.

Renogy 400w kit.
3000w inverter. (I don’t need that big)
3-150ah AGM batteries.

It’s all I ever need
Radio, 10 cu ft fridge
Washing machine
Fans, hair dryers, usb outlets

There are many other brands. Just sayin what worked for me.

You still need to calculate wire sizes, add fuses, breakers, and switches. That’s enough for many of us. Good luck!

☮️

Oh. RV 7K generator. Never considered running a rooftop A/C on solar.

[Rock-N-Ruth]

Originally Posted by Rucker

Set yourself up for success and search this skoolie forum for relevant topics. There has recently been quite a few posts about the feasibility of running air conditioning on batteries and I think some of us got wore out with the discussion.

Short version: Not enough roof space for the number of panels needed, even if you bought all the battery storage you needed. Get a generator and a couple of fans.

Depends on your bus length. We have 14 327W panels on the roof 4 solar controllers, 6 220Ah lifep04 batteries and a 5KW powerjack pure sinewave inverter. I'd say we are about 6000 bucks in our solar system but we run a 12000 BTU mini split all summer long in the desert of sw New Mexico. We often cook with electricity. We have a deep freeze. We have 2 4.5 CF refrigerators and one compressor cooler.

We live like we are grid tied and never run the generator.

[HamSkoolie]

Yep, our system is designed...... not yet built....... for 2500+/- Watts of solar panels, 10.24kWh of lithium batteries in server rack configuration. We'll also have a residential 110VAC refrigerator and 3000 continuous, 6000 peak (for 30 minutes) Victron multi-plus feeding the 100VAS side

[Rucker]

Originally Posted by Rock-N-Ruth

Depends on your bus length. We have 14 327W panels on the roof 4 solar controllers, 6 220Ah lifep04 batteries and a 5KW powerjack pure sinewave inverter. I'd say we are about 6000 bucks in our solar system but we run a 12000 BTU mini split all summer long in the desert of sw New Mexico. We often cook with electricity. We have a deep freeze. We have 2 4.5 CF refrigerators and one compressor cooler.

We live like we are grid tied and never run the generator.

Thanks for the counterpoint. Nice to learn there is an actual example of a system in use (like Kaz.). With your example it looks like the minimum length of a bus roof would be somewhere around 35 feet, so with roof vents/whatever a 40 footer is needed to get the panels you indicate. Sound correct?

So, doable. I'm convinced the best advice for newbies is get a generator as the cost and complexity of an A/C-capable system is prohibitive, but I will certainly add to the next post on this topic 'it's theoretically doable if you have a forty foot bus however....'

[TheHubbardBus]

No way I'm spending upwards of 10K with a business that doesn't even list a physical address on their website.

[Iceni John]

Buying a "solar kit" will cost you more than buying exactly what you need from separate dealers as/when they have good prices. PV panels shouldn't cost much over $0.50 a watt (these days panels are a generic commodity item), and maybe less if you can get used ones or blems. Sometimes you can find deals on factory-refurbished inverters: I got a USA-made refurb Magnum inverter for less than a Chinese new one of similar ability, and I know which one will last longer and be more repairable. Hunt around and you'll find bargains.

And if you don't yet know much about PV systems, take the time to read, learn and inwardly digest all the accumulated wisdom and experience on the Northern Arizona Wind & Sun forum. The folk there know of what they speak, so ignore their advice at your peril!

John