Re: [a/s] solar systems and RVing

[Randall Reynolds <aplaceinthewoods@xxxxxxxxx>]

Well, when we first bought the trailer we wanted to do
a lot of dry camping. But subsequently never did it
too much, as we like to be on sewer hook-ups. I
started out with 14 deep cycle 12 volt RV batteries, I
gave 6 away at a KOA to lucky neighbors, to reduce
weight in my 1 ton duelly. I recently replaced the
original ones (over 5 years old), and bought another 8
new 12 volt deep cycles. That is what I use for
storage. I have a 1500 watt Trace inverter mounted on
the floor in a cabinat, that we use to get our "AC"
from the battery bank, I keep 2 of the batteries on
the hitch mount of the trailer, and carry the rest in
the back of the truck, hooked in with long heavy
cables. When the trailer is stored they sit covered 
on the ground. When I travel I have a line hooked up
running via my (wiring harness plug-in) to my truck
battery to charge my truck battery while driving, from
the panels. Quite a reverse situation, huh?!! I had to
isolate the line from the alternator on the truck as
the panels kept burning out the relay in it. It took
me a while to realize what the heck was causing the
truck alternator to go out twice in a row. The panels
were back feeding the (truck to trailer) wire from the
truck alternator and frying the regulator in the
alternator! Now I run the line from truck battery to
trailer only, no more trouble, and truck battery never
runs low.
When we dry camp we use all the power we want,
including a 27 inch TV, and as well as a 1200 watt
microwave. The panels can be raised to have better
contact with the sun. But rarely do so, too much
trouble, leave them flat.
My gauge generally shows 20 to 30 amp charge rate at
all times when in midday. When the batteries are
charged the regulator switches to 2.5 trickle charge.
We try to use the solar panels the most during the day
as that is when the batteries can only take so much of
the panel power, and there is a lot of excess. I also
have a monitor panel that tells me exactly how much
the panels are producing, how many amps we are drawing
each moment:(using appliances etc.), and how much of a
charge the batteries have at all times.  I have never
run the bank lower than about 12.1 volts at night.
This is all dry camping of course and not on shore
power. Haven't got around the hassel of going to 6
volt golf cart yet, but may someday. Would have to
redo my battery storage on the hitch for one thing.
Thanks for asking, I love my solar panels, and love to
tell people the virtues of panels and RVing!
Randall