Cmeister23
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2021
- Messages
- 16
Hi just joined the group today but have been researching this site and some others and I’m ready to get started. Sorry about the long first post but I wanted to put in as many details as I could think of to help answer the questions. This seems like the friendliest and most knowledgeable group I’ve researched.
I’ve done my energy audit. I’m going full time with my wife and two kids in mid June for 14 months. We expect to do a lot of off grid camping. I’ve just bought a 2018 5th wheel and the original battery is at the end of its life. My energy audit shows we may should use 250 amps per day which of course will vary on weather. I figure 300 Amps would be max. We will Be north in the summer and south in the winter trying to follow a temperate climate but we will experience a little of everything I’m sure. Since Im starting from scratch it seems a 24v system would be the way to go. Since I started too late I don’t think I have enough time to order cells direct from China and build a battery. I could pay a little more and get them sooner from Amazon. I could build a 24v 280ah battery for about the same price I could buy a ready to go 24v 170ah with bms. Third option for about the same money is I could get a used Tesla battery that’s prepped for this type of use and been tested. I’m have some reservations on the Tesla battery as of the potential fire hazard. I have some help with some experienced electricians if I run into problem with any route I go.
For panels - Someone locally is selling used 250 watt panels for $110 each. I have room for 8 but not sure I need that much. Maybe go with 6? I could buy new 100w panels and put at least 18 on there at a much higher cost. Getting the panels on the roof is no issue because I have it backed up to my carport roof with easy access from my deck.
So for now my main two questions are for the same money build a 280ah or save the time and go with the 170ah? Second question is - I know the standard answer is put as many panels as you can fit and afford but would 1250w - 1500w be an acceptable amount? Any reservations with the bigger used ones? Update - I found new 260w panels for $100 each locally Which would be the way to go. I will have a 4000w generator as backup if I run into poor solar conditions but I know that won’t keep up on it’s own.
Thanks!
I’ve done my energy audit. I’m going full time with my wife and two kids in mid June for 14 months. We expect to do a lot of off grid camping. I’ve just bought a 2018 5th wheel and the original battery is at the end of its life. My energy audit shows we may should use 250 amps per day which of course will vary on weather. I figure 300 Amps would be max. We will Be north in the summer and south in the winter trying to follow a temperate climate but we will experience a little of everything I’m sure. Since Im starting from scratch it seems a 24v system would be the way to go. Since I started too late I don’t think I have enough time to order cells direct from China and build a battery. I could pay a little more and get them sooner from Amazon. I could build a 24v 280ah battery for about the same price I could buy a ready to go 24v 170ah with bms. Third option for about the same money is I could get a used Tesla battery that’s prepped for this type of use and been tested. I’m have some reservations on the Tesla battery as of the potential fire hazard. I have some help with some experienced electricians if I run into problem with any route I go.
For panels - Someone locally is selling used 250 watt panels for $110 each. I have room for 8 but not sure I need that much. Maybe go with 6? I could buy new 100w panels and put at least 18 on there at a much higher cost. Getting the panels on the roof is no issue because I have it backed up to my carport roof with easy access from my deck.
So for now my main two questions are for the same money build a 280ah or save the time and go with the 170ah? Second question is - I know the standard answer is put as many panels as you can fit and afford but would 1250w - 1500w be an acceptable amount? Any reservations with the bigger used ones? Update - I found new 260w panels for $100 each locally Which would be the way to go. I will have a 4000w generator as backup if I run into poor solar conditions but I know that won’t keep up on it’s own.
Thanks!
