First let me say I love Lancaster, PA. My family emigrated there and then two brothers went west. One settled in OK land rush and other went to CO, rest stayed in Lancaster County and some went over to OH.
The LED's are the best thing to start with and you've done that first step. Your battery drain has certainly dropped significantly since you put the LED's in. I originally used one panel on my Scamp 13, but two just charge and maintain quicker. There is a lot of math that can go into solar and figuring out what you need, but I'm not going to go into that at the moment. You can make solar as complicated as you wish, but most people I find do all the math and end up buying way more solar than they need or ever use. First start with a needs assessment. A full-timer who spends months boondocking needs a much more robust installation than a week camper who is going off the grid for a few days. We're thinking of doing some in-depth solar write ups for the "resources section," but more on that later.
The briefcase panels I linked to don't require a charge controller for a single panel and have protection built in to keep from overcharging, but once you add the second panel it is necessary to regulate the input to what the battery needs and to also keep from boiling the battery.
"A charge controller, is basically a voltage and/or current regulator to keep batteries from overcharging. It regulates the voltage and current coming from the solar panels going to the battery. Most "12 volt" panels put out about 16 to 20 volts, so if there is no regulation the batteries will be damaged from overcharging. Most batteries need around 14 to 14.5 volts to get fully charged."
The 30A charge controller that I linked to above should be plenty for the two panels and could accommodate more if needed. These have a quick connector setup and I permanently wire a quick connector to my battery that tucks away inside the battery box. When needed you open the briefcase panels, extend the legs, aim at the sun, and plug the quick connectors to the charge controller then to the quick connector on the battery. Total setup time is usually about 5 minutes. I have put them on the roof, but most of the time I just set them up in the dirt. (We have dirt in AZ, you have Grass) I did put about 25' of cord so I can put them most anywhere I want.
You also have to consider that when I deploy my panels I'm in Arizona usually and we have lots of what makes solar work. I have solar on my house as well. Back East with the overcast conditions, etc. they can still be beneficial, but the systems won't produce at the same levels as they do out here.
Your information about solar use in campers is very helpful. Basic use around regular campgrounds is not an issue but I do intend to trek deeper off the grid,if I can talk the wife into it. Also I think it can be very helpful if you find yourself in an emergency situation.I like to be prepared for different scenarios. If I could just capture all this gas omitted from the cows here in Pa I wouldn't need LP. Hope to see you some day when we take our big trip out west.
I have been racking my head over trying to pick out a LED bulb for my Scamp. It has 921 bulbs inside and a 1003 porch light. Any help would be appreciated.
I don't know if you want a bright or cooler white for an outside light rather than the warm white.
I tend to use the cool white or white in the kitchen fixtures, bathroom, and over our table where we do activities and use the warm white in other fixtures over the beds, etc. The warm white will resemble an incandescent bulb, while the white and cool white are a bit more harsh. I remember in the 13 Scamp before LED's were popular mine gave off a bluish white light. Better half didn't like it, I though it was cool. When you'd be outside at night it glowed kinda blue and looked like the egg from Mars had landed.
Bob & Bev outfitted "Lil Critter" with the LED's before coming to Christmas in Sedona and he said the change in the draw on the battery was amazing.
That is one of the big reasons why I post most product links with Amazon if it is available there. They are one of the largest, and safest online retailers available and the prices are usually the lowest as well. You can go direct to many of the 3rd party sites that sell through Amazon, but the price usually isn't any different and you don't have the excellent customer service and protections that you get at Amazon.
I've been using an Amazon Prime account for many years now and I get free 2 day shipping on most everything I order plus video streaming that I think has a better selection than Netflix and other outlets. Just the money we save on shipping Christmas presents is huge. It is also great when we're camping to ship something we need into the campground office in 2 days.
You can check the Amazon Prime Account 30 day free trial out at:
I so hope to be able to get such a brief case solar panel, and have the ability to install such ligting. LED's are truly the way to go. I so want them in our trailer when we get it. I talked to the manufacturer and told them this is the wave of the future, and that they should install them from build up.
Thanks for the info and advise on the led's. I ordered the on amazon and I installed them this morning. They are perfect. I had the 921 light bulbs in my new Scamp and wanted to reduce the battery draw for boondocking. I got the T10-25-3528 CW packaged by AVEC Lighting and shipped by Varsity 174. I orded them on Saturday the 4th and received them on Thursday the 9th. The fixture over to range is a double light with a single switch so I installed one led and turned it on to see how it compared to the incandescent and they are very close. Thanks for your help.
I found a bunch of strings of white LED Christmas lights at a garage sale a year or two ago. I ran a string around the inside above the countertop and around the bed/table area. They are 120v, but I have inverters to use when I need to run on battery. Until I make more permanent installations, this does the job pretty well.
Hey J,
First let me say I love Lancaster, PA. My family emigrated there and then two brothers went west. One settled in OK land rush and other went to CO, rest stayed in Lancaster County and some went over to OH.
The LED's are the best thing to start with and you've done that first step. Your battery drain has certainly dropped significantly since you put the LED's in. I originally used one panel on my Scamp 13, but two just charge and maintain quicker. There is a lot of math that can go into solar and figuring out what you need, but I'm not going to go into that at the moment. You can make solar as complicated as you wish, but most people I find do all the math and end up buying way more solar than they need or ever use. First start with a needs assessment. A full-timer who spends months boondocking needs a much more robust installation than a week camper who is going off the grid for a few days. We're thinking of doing some in-depth solar write ups for the "resources section," but more on that later.
The briefcase panels I linked to don't require a charge controller for a single panel and have protection built in to keep from overcharging, but once you add the second panel it is necessary to regulate the input to what the battery needs and to also keep from boiling the battery.
"A charge controller, is basically a voltage and/or current regulator to keep batteries from overcharging. It regulates the voltage and current coming from the solar panels going to the battery. Most "12 volt" panels put out about 16 to 20 volts, so if there is no regulation the batteries will be damaged from overcharging. Most batteries need around 14 to 14.5 volts to get fully charged."
The 30A charge controller that I linked to above should be plenty for the two panels and could accommodate more if needed. These have a quick connector setup and I permanently wire a quick connector to my battery that tucks away inside the battery box. When needed you open the briefcase panels, extend the legs, aim at the sun, and plug the quick connectors to the charge controller then to the quick connector on the battery. Total setup time is usually about 5 minutes. I have put them on the roof, but most of the time I just set them up in the dirt. (We have dirt in AZ, you have Grass)
I did put about 25' of cord so I can put them most anywhere I want.
You also have to consider that when I deploy my panels I'm in Arizona usually and we have lots of what makes solar work. I have solar on my house as well. Back East with the overcast conditions, etc. they can still be beneficial, but the systems won't produce at the same levels as they do out here.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
Your information about solar use in campers is very helpful. Basic use around regular campgrounds is not an issue but I do intend to trek deeper off the grid,if I can talk the wife into it. Also I think it can be very helpful if you find yourself in an emergency situation.I like to be prepared for different scenarios. If I could just capture all this gas omitted from the cows here in Pa I wouldn't need LP. Hope to see you some day when we take our big trip out west.
J Raps Lancaster county Pa
God Bless America
2012 Jeep Wrangler
2013 Scamp 16'
I have been racking my head over trying to pick out a LED bulb for my Scamp. It has 921 bulbs inside and a 1003 porch light. Any help would be appreciated.
Most of these are a 921 base and warm white, which most people seem to prefer:
921 Base - Warm White
The 1003 base:
1003 LED Bulbs
I don't know if you want a bright or cooler white for an outside light rather than the warm white.
I tend to use the cool white or white in the kitchen fixtures, bathroom, and over our table where we do activities and use the warm white in other fixtures over the beds, etc. The warm white will resemble an incandescent bulb, while the white and cool white are a bit more harsh. I remember in the 13 Scamp before LED's were popular mine gave off a bluish white light. Better half didn't like it, I though it was cool. When you'd be outside at night it glowed kinda blue and looked like the egg from Mars had landed.
Bob & Bev outfitted "Lil Critter" with the LED's before coming to Christmas in Sedona and he said the change in the draw on the battery was amazing.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
Thanks Greg,
Is the link you give safe to buy from? Just asking because I'm not good with the PC.
K
Hi Kilo,
That is one of the big reasons why I post most product links with Amazon if it is available there. They are one of the largest, and safest online retailers available and the prices are usually the lowest as well. You can go direct to many of the 3rd party sites that sell through Amazon, but the price usually isn't any different and you don't have the excellent customer service and protections that you get at Amazon.
I've been using an Amazon Prime account for many years now and I get free 2 day shipping on most everything I order plus video streaming that I think has a better selection than Netflix and other outlets. Just the money we save on shipping Christmas presents is huge. It is also great when we're camping to ship something we need into the campground office in 2 days.
You can check the Amazon Prime Account 30 day free trial out at:
Join Amazon Prime - Watch Over 40,000 Movies
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
I so hope to be able to get such a brief case solar panel, and have the ability to install such ligting. LED's are truly the way to go. I so want them in our trailer when we get it. I talked to the manufacturer and told them this is the wave of the future, and that they should install them from build up.
<p>Doug Allen 2016 Ford F-150 2018 Lance 1575</p>
I ordered one for me. I'll be getting to know the ins and outs of solar this summer. Can't wait to start useing my new toys this camping season.
J Raps Lancaster county Pa
God Bless America
2012 Jeep Wrangler
2013 Scamp 16'
Greg,
Thanks for the info and advise on the led's. I ordered the on amazon and I installed them this morning. They are perfect. I had the 921 light bulbs in my new Scamp and wanted to reduce the battery draw for boondocking. I got the T10-25-3528 CW packaged by AVEC Lighting and shipped by Varsity 174. I orded them on Saturday the 4th and received them on Thursday the 9th. The fixture over to range is a double light with a single switch so I installed one led and turned it on to see how it compared to the incandescent and they are very close. Thanks for your help.
I found a bunch of strings of white LED Christmas lights at a garage sale a year or two ago. I ran a string around the inside above the countertop and around the bed/table area. They are 120v, but I have inverters to use when I need to run on battery. Until I make more permanent installations, this does the job pretty well.
Ken and Janet
'76 13ft Scamp
St Petersburg, FL
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