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HERE TO HELP YOU!
Pub Member / Supporter
Cutting Edge
An RV solar kit night not save you as much money as you might think. Here's the truth about solar power for RV.
If you want solar power for your RV, you need three elements: RV solar panels, batteries, and an inverter. The panels are made from silicon and phosphorous. Sunlight causes the electrons in these cells to break and bond over and over, which creates electricity. This electricity gets stored in the batteries as DC power. The inverter transforms this into AC power, which runs electronic products. So, with solar panels, batteries, and an inverter, you can generate free, renewable energy. Just how much energy will you get from your RV solar kit, though?
If you're considering RV solar, this is the most important question you need to ask. The answer depends upon which type of devices you plan to power in your RV. It also depends upon how long you plan to power them. Lastly, it depends upon your RV solar kit – the solar panel, batteries, and inverter. Let's take a closer look at each of these components that deliver solar power to your RV:
The size of solar panels and inverters – and the number of batteries you need – depends on the devices you want to power. How long you plan to power these devices is also part of the equation. Even the smallest of electronic products and appliances can be a huge drain of energy. Here is a list of basic appliances that are energy eaters:
Are motorhome solar panels the answer to running your air conditioning unit? Many RV owners ask about this when they're considering solar power for their RV. If small appliances are energy eaters, can you imagine what a rooftop AC unit would be? Short answer: an energy hog! Generally speaking, an RV solar kit isn't the best way to power your AC unit.
To use solar power to run your AC, you'll need enough battery to support the load. (You'll be running your AC for several hours.) If you're using regular batteries, you'll need so many that it will add weight and take up space in your motorhome. Do you really want to leave things at home that you would rather have with you on your trips?
You might be able to solve this problem by switching to lithium batteries. This creates other difficulties. Lithium batteries can be costly. If your installation requires many of them, it could put a dent in your wallet. To power these units, you'll need about 1,000-1,500 watt solar panels. This means you'll need four to six times the surface area that your RV has to fully power your camper with solar power. You'll also need a large inverter, which can also be expensive. All this added weight has a huge effect on your gas mileage, which already isn't great in a large RV.
We spoke with several RV owners with solar panels atop their recreational vehicles. While the pros and cons seem 50/50, all the pros are conditional. The cons to an RV solar kit affect the very thing that RV owners want – free energy to power their appliances.
We've given you an overview of what to expect when you use solar panels for RV use. To sum it up, solar panels and hardware needs to become six times more efficient to power all your camper's devices. If you still want solar power, we recommend that you talk to your local RV dealer. In addition to batteries and inverters, they'll recommend the best RV solar panels on the market.
Are you looking to add something to your recreational vehicle? How about a DIRECTV or DISH mobile dish installation? This delivers your favorite programming while you're on the road and at the RV park. As an DIRECTV and DISH dealer Signal Connect sets you up with a account, satellite equipment, and a local installer. We'll also get your account activated so you and your family can enjoy satellite TV while on vacation. There are many amazing benefits to a satellite TV for RV setup. If you have any questions, just give us a call at 888-233-7563.
The post RV Solar Panels for Beginners appeared first on The Solid Signal Blog.
Continue reading...
If you want solar power for your RV, you need three elements: RV solar panels, batteries, and an inverter. The panels are made from silicon and phosphorous. Sunlight causes the electrons in these cells to break and bond over and over, which creates electricity. This electricity gets stored in the batteries as DC power. The inverter transforms this into AC power, which runs electronic products. So, with solar panels, batteries, and an inverter, you can generate free, renewable energy. Just how much energy will you get from your RV solar kit, though?
How Much Solar Power do I Need for my RV?
If you're considering RV solar, this is the most important question you need to ask. The answer depends upon which type of devices you plan to power in your RV. It also depends upon how long you plan to power them. Lastly, it depends upon your RV solar kit – the solar panel, batteries, and inverter. Let's take a closer look at each of these components that deliver solar power to your RV:
- Solar Panels: If you want to run large or multiple devices for a long time, you need a solar panel that fully charges your batteries every day. If your panels aren't able to do this, you'll run out of stored power because you'll be using it quicker than you're replacing it.
- Battery: A single car battery has the potential to run almost all household devices. But for how long? The number of batteries you have helps determine how long you'll be able to operate those electronic products.
- Inverter: The size of your inverter determines how much AC power you can use. These devices range in size and strength.
The size of solar panels and inverters – and the number of batteries you need – depends on the devices you want to power. How long you plan to power these devices is also part of the equation. Even the smallest of electronic products and appliances can be a huge drain of energy. Here is a list of basic appliances that are energy eaters:
- Tea kettles
- Toasters
- Coffee pots
- Heating pads
- Heaters
- Electric ranges
- Refrigerators
- Hair dryers
- Microwaves
- Washer/dryer
- Power tools
RV Solar Panels to Run AC?
Are motorhome solar panels the answer to running your air conditioning unit? Many RV owners ask about this when they're considering solar power for their RV. If small appliances are energy eaters, can you imagine what a rooftop AC unit would be? Short answer: an energy hog! Generally speaking, an RV solar kit isn't the best way to power your AC unit.
To use solar power to run your AC, you'll need enough battery to support the load. (You'll be running your AC for several hours.) If you're using regular batteries, you'll need so many that it will add weight and take up space in your motorhome. Do you really want to leave things at home that you would rather have with you on your trips?
You might be able to solve this problem by switching to lithium batteries. This creates other difficulties. Lithium batteries can be costly. If your installation requires many of them, it could put a dent in your wallet. To power these units, you'll need about 1,000-1,500 watt solar panels. This means you'll need four to six times the surface area that your RV has to fully power your camper with solar power. You'll also need a large inverter, which can also be expensive. All this added weight has a huge effect on your gas mileage, which already isn't great in a large RV.
RV Solar Pros and Cons
We spoke with several RV owners with solar panels atop their recreational vehicles. While the pros and cons seem 50/50, all the pros are conditional. The cons to an RV solar kit affect the very thing that RV owners want – free energy to power their appliances.
- Pro: Can use solar panels to run 12v devices at state parks and music festivals, but only when not running AC.
- Pro: Can help save about $25-$60 a night when staying in an RV park when running small appliances.
- Con: Still need to rely upon a generator on rainy/cloudy days.
- Con: Cost and weight are considerable and still can't run AC without making a huge investment. (Most RV owners rely on propane to operate rooftop air conditioning systems.)
The Best Solar Panels for RV
We've given you an overview of what to expect when you use solar panels for RV use. To sum it up, solar panels and hardware needs to become six times more efficient to power all your camper's devices. If you still want solar power, we recommend that you talk to your local RV dealer. In addition to batteries and inverters, they'll recommend the best RV solar panels on the market.
Get DIRECTV or DISH for RVs, Campers, and Motorhomes
Are you looking to add something to your recreational vehicle? How about a DIRECTV or DISH mobile dish installation? This delivers your favorite programming while you're on the road and at the RV park. As an DIRECTV and DISH dealer Signal Connect sets you up with a account, satellite equipment, and a local installer. We'll also get your account activated so you and your family can enjoy satellite TV while on vacation. There are many amazing benefits to a satellite TV for RV setup. If you have any questions, just give us a call at 888-233-7563.
The post RV Solar Panels for Beginners appeared first on The Solid Signal Blog.
Continue reading...
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312 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n43A0sNukCg
Direct YouTube Link - SpaceX Seeks to Conduct 450 Starship Launches a Year in Texas!
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n43A0sNukCg
Direct YouTube Link - SpaceX Seeks to Conduct 450 Starship Launches a Year in Texas!
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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4 views
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Cutting Edge
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
68506 Replies
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2671298 views
Marques Brownlee
Time for another AWESOME video from Marques Brownlee!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scwlR0QHGOk
Direct YouTube Link - The NEW Tesla Roadster: My Honest Reaction
The official MKBHD Website!
The MKBHD Store
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scwlR0QHGOk
Direct YouTube Link - The NEW Tesla Roadster: My Honest Reaction
The official MKBHD Website!
The MKBHD Store
0 Replies
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5 views
iJustine
Time for another AWESOME video from iJustine!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/m44iKsdN1-Q
Direct YouTube Link - NVIDIA RTX Spark launch party!!!
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/m44iKsdN1-Q
Direct YouTube Link - NVIDIA RTX Spark launch party!!!
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
0 Replies
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15 views
For quite a while now, people with a VIP211k have been losing their recordings on their activated external HDDs... even when there's nothing physically wrong with HDD. I believe this is an intentional and underhanded tactic that Dish is pulling in an attempt to force users away from the VIP211k.
They are obviously regretting that they ever let users have a "non-dvr" dvr in the first place. You would think they would be happy charging you a $40 one time fee... and then be happy letting the customer be the one responsible for HDD failures.
Dish clearly hates the 211k bitter-clingers. This recording deletion problem is intentional (IMO), and I think it is just one more tool that they are using. Hopper and a 2-year agreement... that's what they want you to have. Think about that... a 2-year agreement... with a company $30 Billion in debt (that's with a B). What happens when all that debt causes them to drop the channel that may have been your whole reason for having Dish in the first place? Guess who's stuck with a service that no longer suits their needs... for the remainder of the 2-year agreement.
On top of that, they don't want you to install it yourself. I purchased and installed all my equipment myself. That used to be common. Now, they lie to me and tell me that my dish must be updated to use a Hopper. Funny thing is... they don't even know what dish I have because they didn't install it, and I didn't tell them. If you ask what type of dish/LNBs the hopper needs... good luck getting an answer. All they know is that whatever you have needs to be upgraded by an installer.
It is quite apparent to me that they care much more about staying in their box, than they do working with the customer. That's too bad, because it hasn't always been that way. It's like they are totally unaware of the current business environment that they are trying to compete in.
I have been a customer since 2010. I will be cancelling my service before the next period. Yeah, I know, my $1,200 a year won't make a difference to them. It just seems like they have forgotten who needs who, especially when you consider the competition in today's streaming world. But hey, they will have succeed in forcing me off the 211k.
They are obviously regretting that they ever let users have a "non-dvr" dvr in the first place. You would think they would be happy charging you a $40 one time fee... and then be happy letting the customer be the one responsible for HDD failures.
Dish clearly hates the 211k bitter-clingers. This recording deletion problem is intentional (IMO), and I think it is just one more tool that they are using. Hopper and a 2-year agreement... that's what they want you to have. Think about that... a 2-year agreement... with a company $30 Billion in debt (that's with a B). What happens when all that debt causes them to drop the channel that may have been your whole reason for having Dish in the first place? Guess who's stuck with a service that no longer suits their needs... for the remainder of the 2-year agreement.
On top of that, they don't want you to install it yourself. I purchased and installed all my equipment myself. That used to be common. Now, they lie to me and tell me that my dish must be updated to use a Hopper. Funny thing is... they don't even know what dish I have because they didn't install it, and I didn't tell them. If you ask what type of dish/LNBs the hopper needs... good luck getting an answer. All they know is that whatever you have needs to be upgraded by an installer.
It is quite apparent to me that they care much more about staying in their box, than they do working with the customer. That's too bad, because it hasn't always been that way. It's like they are totally unaware of the current business environment that they are trying to compete in.
I have been a customer since 2010. I will be cancelling my service before the next period. Yeah, I know, my $1,200 a year won't make a difference to them. It just seems like they have forgotten who needs who, especially when you consider the competition in today's streaming world. But hey, they will have succeed in forcing me off the 211k.
168 Replies
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7494 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Has anyone subscribed to NBA League Pass for 2026-27 and try to link their account to NBA.com to stream League Pass? I purchased it for 2026-27, and when I linked, I got a message saying success, but then I receive an error that my linked subscription does not include the preseason games for NBA League Pass. Is that how it has always been? I know satellite doesn't have the preseason games on the NBA League Pass channels, but I thought that I was able to stream the preseason once I linked my account on NBA.com?
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86 views
Supporting Founder
Really excited for this season with Kentucky having a new coach and some really exciting recruits. Probably won't last long, but here's hoping this season is great.
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1465 views
Nah, you just don't understand how ignore works, which is why you made your own NFL thread thinking there wasn't one
For some reason, the satelliteguys.us site is loading a lot slower than usual on both Chrome on my Asus laptop and Safari on my iPhone.
I'm also seeing longer appearances of the blue bar at the top and the "3 blue bars" loading symbol.
Is anyone else also having the same problem? Thanks in advance.
I'm also seeing longer appearances of the blue bar at the top and the "3 blue bars" loading symbol.
Is anyone else also having the same problem? Thanks in advance.
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18124 views
Remember folks... just like DNS... its always Foxbat. 
WTF… …What the Foxbat!Remember folks... just like DNS... its always Foxbat.
S
wow what a kick in the balls!!! the wife blames you when things don't work now scott's blaming youWTF… …What the Foxbat!
I know. Here's what Scott has in store for me if I get out of line:wow what a kick in the balls!!! the wife blames you when things don't work now scott's blaming you
S
OMG to freaking funny
You're no fun.
I thought I would come here and find lots of complaints about the update to the dish anywhere mobile app, but am not seeing any. It used to look just like the desktop webpage. Now you can no longer filter by sports channels or movie channels. Plus that they made it look like a big button telephone and you see fewer channels in the screen which requires more scrolling. Yes I realize you can look at sports then select which sport you want to look at, I just liked being able to see all sporting events in the guide with all other channels being filtered out. Am I alone in the wilderness on this?
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157 views
Supporting Founder
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Apple has finally released their Apple TV 4K with built-in Siri and a microphone so it can respond to your queries even if you don't have the remote. It also increases in price, to $299. I had been planning on updating my current Apple TV 4K streamers, but that's $600 for the two of them, and that's a pass at this point.
At $299, it had better come with 256 GB of Storage, Gigabit (or better) Ethernet, the latest HDMI tech and standards, and one year of free Apple One. But it probably won't…
At $299, it had better come with 256 GB of Storage, Gigabit (or better) Ethernet, the latest HDMI tech and standards, and one year of free Apple One. But it probably won't…
Apple TV 4K
Apple TV 4K. New Siri AI and hands-free control. Stunning picture and immersive HomePod surround sound. Works with your Apple and smart home devices.
www.apple.com
20 Replies
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331 views
S
. apple's been making money off of software and not hardware for a while
they all do that anyways.. ever notice your cell phone slows down when you come up for an upgrade..
. apple's been making money off of software and not hardware for a while
You should have looked in the APP STORE instead.
