We want to add solar panels to our 2020 Imagine 2970RL

[mataeva]

Looking for advice on installing solar panels on our rig. The unit is not wired for solar, so we would be retrofitting from scratch. What are pros and cons? We appreciate hearing from anyone with any information or opinion about this.

Thanks in advance
2020 GD Imagine 2970RL

[FlyStar]

First question is why do want solar? The answer to this will influence your strategy. If you could elaborate a bit on your goals for this upgrade there are many experts here that can guide you a bit.

[mataeva]

Since we live in the Southwest, we feel that we could camp in more places if we tried boondocking. I realize that we can use propane to power the fridge but we still need to run the lights and if we're boondocking, (I assume) we will be forced to charge the battery with our truck in order to keep the lights on. We've never tried camping without hook-ups, so that may be something we need to learn first.

2020 Imagine 2970RL, F250 Super Duty

[FlyStar]

Some questions. How many nights in a row boondocking? Will you want to run the air conditioning?

Charging the battery with the truck is not a good solution. Much too slow. Better to get a small generator. Or go with some solar and a generator for back up.

If you want to run the microwave or the electric coffee maker you will need either a small generator or a fairly fancy solar/battery bank/ inverter set up.

[mataeva]

We typically go out for somewhere between 3 to 7 days at a time. Depending on time of year, we may need the AC but no matter what or when, we will need coffee. Maybe investing in a good generator is a better idea than fancy solar...

2020 Imagine 2970RL, 2021 F250 Super duty

[Redapple63]

We typically go out for somewhere between 3 to 7 days at a time. Depending on time of year, we may need the AC but no matter what or when, we will need coffee. Maybe investing in a good generator is a better idea than fancy solar...

2020 Imagine 2970RL, 2021 F250 Super duty

I think Solar is a great idea, however, before you make that decision you need to evaluate HOW you plan to use your rig and estimate how much solar and battery you need to accomplish it.

Example: You mentioned your coffee machine. How much does that use and for how long daily. Do you want an inverter

Other items to characterize would be a combination of 12v and 120v items such as television, computer use, ac, electric fireplace, hairdryer, microwave, lights, fans well you get the picture. What kind of fridge do you have? That could also play into it.

Once you have done that then you can estimate battery bank size and solar size to charge.

Generator is certainly the easier method as it just plugs in, but with that comes dragging the generator with you along with fuel and oil.

You can certainly get say a 2k Honda (one of the more popular ones) to run a subset of items as listed above. If you do the Soft Start start capacitor for your ac it will even run one of your ac’s.

We are currently doing a similar mod on our rig. 800 watts of solar on the roof, 600ah power of Lifepo4 batteries and 3k Victron inverter. Doesn’t sound like you need all of that based on your use description, so maybe a nice battery bank say 400 ah with maybe 400 - 600 watts of solar. Your batteries could be AGM as it doesn’t seem like you need the expense of Lifepo4.

Lots of opportunities to do a healthy budget based system that will fit your needs without breaking the bank.

Let us know more of how you plan to use it and we could better guide you to a good solution.

Bill

[FlyStar]

If you decide to get a small generator, consider the ones that run on either propane or gas. (Champion brand is popular) Propane is already onboard and safer and more convenient than gas.

[huntindog]

If you decide to get a small generator, consider the ones that run on either propane or gas. (Champion brand is popular) Propane is already onboard and safer and more convenient than gas.

When deciding on which fuel to use in a generator, it is important to consider the pros and cons of each fuel carefully to determine which one is the best fit for you.
Propane has no carb to gum up and it does not go bad sitting in a tank
The cons are that generators put out less power and consume more propane, and it can be more difficult to obtain in a boondocking situation.

Gas puts out more power while using less fuel. It also will not drain your propane supply. Gas is by far the easiest fuel to get.
The cons are:
Gas can go bad, and carbs can gum up. Fuel treaments can prevent it, but the best prevention is to use the generator

With these considerations, propane is a good fit for light or occasional users. That is most Rvers

Gas is the best choice for heavy or frequent users. If one needs AC boondocking in the southwest, they are a heavy user. Also very cold camping will require a LOT of generator use.
This type of RVer is in the minority, but they are out there, I am one of them.

[mataeva]

Great information from everyone. We clearly have a lot more learning and research to do before we make a final decision. I appreciate all of the comments and time to respond.

[SolarPoweredRV]

If you decide to get a small generator, consider the ones that run on either propane or gas. (Champion brand is popular) Propane is already onboard and safer and more convenient than gas.

We have a Champion Dual Fuel 3500W generator that has never had gasoline poured into the tank. We only run it from our Propane tanks and love not having to drag around gas cans or filling the tank.