TLDR: looking for a good all in one option for a class c to add 2x400watt panels to the roof. Any newer charger/inverter/solar controller that would allow me to use shore power and the Onan 4000 generator to charge the batteries when needed. Mostly would like to not worry about lights/tv/laptop always an option, and maybe the fridge or AC for short periods if needed? Not sure if the class c f450 alternator is worth connecting too? What size battery? Hoping to not spend more than ~$5000
Been poking around this forum, and some of the popular YouTube channels.
I'm picking up a 30' 2006 Bigfoot 30mhsl next week. I believe it is pretty standard with a 30amp plug, Onan 4000 generator, 12v/propane fridge, 13500 but AC roof unit.
I would like to upgrade it to lithium and solar, so that we could do some boondocking with it, and not rely so much on a gas generator.
The motorhome has a roof rack on the back that could easily fit 2 60"x30" ish panels. Maybe a 3rd, or another 2 towards the front, or portable panels to supplement them down the road. I'd like to get 300-400watt panels for 600-800watts of solar to start.
I have information overload at this point trying to decide between just getting something like the Ecoflow Delta Pro, and plugging in the 30amp shore cable to it, and charging that with a couple solar panels on the roof rack, or changing out the existing components with something like Victron, Renogy, or the Ecoflow power kit. Do I need to go as far as the power kit or a victron multiplus 1 or 2, or some sort of all in one system? Or are there cheaper options for just swapping out the batteries, disconnecting the alternator, and getting the solar setup. Should I definitely replace the inverter in an 06? Seems like the Ecoflow plus would mean a lot of changing plugs around if I needed to charge it from the generator, and it wouldn't charge from the front alternator. Is that really a big deal? Would I get all I need from the solar mostly? It would also mean I'd still have my original batteries, and potentially would need to disconnect or remove them so the Ecoflow wasn't just charging them, and having both sets of batteries for extra weight.
I would love some opinions about my options, and the pros and cons of each.
Ideally, I'd like to run the fridge, lights, laptop, and a tv off of the batteries. I also have 1 slide. In a perfect world, I'd be able to run the AC unit for an hour or two, or I'd be open to replacing the roof ac unit down the road with one of the newer low power or DC options that seem to be popping up, if that would make sense to achieve more ac run time for less money/batteries.
I do have a pull out slide storage compartment by the front, that houses the 2 current batteries. I'd be open to getting new batteries to go there, or finding room inside if it was needed for one of those eg4 setups with the rack battery. It is a 4 seasons fiberglass walls and roof class c.
12v, 48v (with the new AC options?), how many watt inverter? Why do most people seem to talk about 100-200 watt panels, when 300-400 watt ones seem pretty much just as cheap, and much better for the limited motorhome roof space.
So, any opinions on how I should approach this? I'm planning on taking it for a road trip not too long after I pick it up. My brother, and a good friend are both licensed electricians, so I have the help I may need, but neither are familiar with solar setups. I guess really what I'm wondering is what is the best bang for my buck for a class c design, that can be a bit set it and forget it, whether you need to plug into shore power, use the generator, and always be charging with the panels on the roof or alternator. If I can fit 2 residential 400watt panels on the roof, what makes the most sense for an all in one?
Thanks in advance for any help, and sorry about the long rambling post!
Been poking around this forum, and some of the popular YouTube channels.
I'm picking up a 30' 2006 Bigfoot 30mhsl next week. I believe it is pretty standard with a 30amp plug, Onan 4000 generator, 12v/propane fridge, 13500 but AC roof unit.
I would like to upgrade it to lithium and solar, so that we could do some boondocking with it, and not rely so much on a gas generator.
The motorhome has a roof rack on the back that could easily fit 2 60"x30" ish panels. Maybe a 3rd, or another 2 towards the front, or portable panels to supplement them down the road. I'd like to get 300-400watt panels for 600-800watts of solar to start.
I have information overload at this point trying to decide between just getting something like the Ecoflow Delta Pro, and plugging in the 30amp shore cable to it, and charging that with a couple solar panels on the roof rack, or changing out the existing components with something like Victron, Renogy, or the Ecoflow power kit. Do I need to go as far as the power kit or a victron multiplus 1 or 2, or some sort of all in one system? Or are there cheaper options for just swapping out the batteries, disconnecting the alternator, and getting the solar setup. Should I definitely replace the inverter in an 06? Seems like the Ecoflow plus would mean a lot of changing plugs around if I needed to charge it from the generator, and it wouldn't charge from the front alternator. Is that really a big deal? Would I get all I need from the solar mostly? It would also mean I'd still have my original batteries, and potentially would need to disconnect or remove them so the Ecoflow wasn't just charging them, and having both sets of batteries for extra weight.
I would love some opinions about my options, and the pros and cons of each.
Ideally, I'd like to run the fridge, lights, laptop, and a tv off of the batteries. I also have 1 slide. In a perfect world, I'd be able to run the AC unit for an hour or two, or I'd be open to replacing the roof ac unit down the road with one of the newer low power or DC options that seem to be popping up, if that would make sense to achieve more ac run time for less money/batteries.
I do have a pull out slide storage compartment by the front, that houses the 2 current batteries. I'd be open to getting new batteries to go there, or finding room inside if it was needed for one of those eg4 setups with the rack battery. It is a 4 seasons fiberglass walls and roof class c.
12v, 48v (with the new AC options?), how many watt inverter? Why do most people seem to talk about 100-200 watt panels, when 300-400 watt ones seem pretty much just as cheap, and much better for the limited motorhome roof space.
So, any opinions on how I should approach this? I'm planning on taking it for a road trip not too long after I pick it up. My brother, and a good friend are both licensed electricians, so I have the help I may need, but neither are familiar with solar setups. I guess really what I'm wondering is what is the best bang for my buck for a class c design, that can be a bit set it and forget it, whether you need to plug into shore power, use the generator, and always be charging with the panels on the roof or alternator. If I can fit 2 residential 400watt panels on the roof, what makes the most sense for an all in one?
Thanks in advance for any help, and sorry about the long rambling post!
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