I'm working on Solarizing my Scamp 16. I need something like 250 - 300W, and after extensive study, I determined that I can do it with a single panel if I use 24V. But I'm finding 24V panels to be much less available than the 12V. One source that has some choices wants $210 to ship me a $250 panel. I balk at that. Many other vendors have minimum orders - they won't sell just one.
What sources does the collective web-wisdom suggest for panel purchases?
Thanks,
All kinds on amazon w/free ship
https://amzn.to/2EjyBkX
Thats a lot of juice, what is your battery plan and what are you planning to run?
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
Connect two 12-volt panels in series, just like batteries. What will you gain running your Scamp on 24 volts, most RV equipment is 12 volts. Inverters that run on 24, and 48 volts are common, but not in the camping world
Well, I'm changing plans as I move forward. The need I wanted to fill was to be able to run my refrigerator on DC at a 10A draw, while going down the road. The secondary desire was to only have one panel to attach to the roof. Hence 24V, somewhere in the 250-300W range.
Now this turns out to be a fairly pricy system, and on further thought, we will probably handle the problem of arriving with cold food by the lowtech option of putting it in an ice chest. The fridge works well on propane or AC, so once in camp, it's not a problem.
I would still like to use solar to keep the battery up while boondocking, so now I'm looking at portable chargers. I know some have been mentioned in this forum, and I just came in to search when I saw responses to this thread. Any updated suggestions on portable battery chargers?
Thanks,
Randy
Randy in Paonia
Hey Randy,
Have you been through the step by step solar section? There is quite a bit to look at prior to purchasing panels. I’ve always heard good feedback on the Renogy portables once you get energy use and batteries figured out so you know the size unit needed.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
Yes, I have gone through that; there's a lot of useful information there. And I have also garnered information from some other RV forums, also good sources.
I think some of the solar pricing is in flux due to tariffs, etc., and the Renogy seems rather expensive right now. They have a 200W suitcase setup, available at Amazon for $682. I don't need that much if I'm not trying to run the refrigerator off of it, and I don't see a smaller kit from Renogy. There's an Eco-Worthy 80W kit for $199 that fits my need and my pocketbook much better. But I haven't made a decision yet.
Thanks for all the help and advice. Keep it coming.
Randy
Randy in Paonia
I have to take some of that back about the Renogy portable kits. I went on over to their site, and they have 100W suitcase kits in the low $200's. Worth considering.
Randy
Randy in Paonia
The Scamp Owner's Manual, as well as many Scampers (owners/users), recommend that you do not run the fridge on propane while traveling. However, many, myself included do it. The only instance where propane must be turned off absolutely, and for good reasons, is on ferries.
Running the fridge on propane while driving has the disadvantage that sometimes the pilot flame will go out on windy days, especially with headwind. Every time we stop for whatever reason we check that it is still on, by feeling the boiler.
-Paul
2004 Scamp 19 Deluxe,
2021 Tacoma, Double Cab, 6 cyl. 4WD
Colorado
We picked up a used Scamp 13 about a month ago; haven't had it out yet, as Winter is loosening its hold gradually in MN this year. I thought you could run the 3-way fridge on the TV's DC power while driving? Wouldn't that be the preferred way to run the fridge while under tow?
2016 13 Scamp Deluxe
TV: 2020 Subaru Ascent Premium
Minnesota
Another very good reason not to run the fridge on propane while traveling is that it is uses an open flame. If you pull into a gas station where someone has spilt gas (common!) or if you spill gas while fueling your TV you could be in for some exciting times.
This has been discussed before but new owners may not have seen it. The fridge on 12V uses more power than most TV wiring supplies, and therefore drains the trailer battery. This works for us. Start your travels with the fridge cold, power off. If you're only traveling three or four hours, it will stay cold, just like at home when the power goes out. If your trip is longer, turn the fridge on after your fist stop and then off at the next, etc.
Lynn and Pam
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