With over 6000 views in just a few weeks to my post "Is solar worth it", many of you have read about my challenges. After many of the helpful replies, personal emails, and an invitation to meet with RC Pilot Jim (we met last weekend), I am convinced that solar will work if sized correctly.
With such an interest in this subject I thought I would start a thread on my plan, build, and results to increase my solar system. This all from someone that still barely knows the difference between watts, volts, amps, draw, shunts, voltage drops, controllers, wire gauge, etc, etc. Hopefully this will help others in similar situations.
With all the feedback from the previous topic and direct communications with Morningstar and Renogy, hours of reading, and meeting with Jim, I think I have a plan that will work, but I welcome practical feedback.
My current system is a factory installed 80W panel, Morningstar SS6 controller, and two camper batteries. This was factory installed during my build in 2012 and I am told by FWC that all solar wiring is 12 AWG. I also had the extra solar plug installed in the back of the camper but was frustrated to learn that I can't even use it without upgrading the controller.
Much of my camping is in the desert in the winter - so short days and low angle sun. I have a compressor frig and need for lots of electronic use for my photography.
My plan is to remove the current 80W panel and install three 100W Renogy bendable panels wired in parallel. One in front of the bed vent, one between the vents, and one behind the kitchen vent. I can either glue them directly to the roof as some here have done successfully, or bolt (there are 6 grommets in each panel)/glue the panels to aluminum platforms and attach those to the full length Yakima tracks. If I go with the aluminum platforms I will add a bunch of cut-outs or drill holes in the aluminum to further reduce weight and allow some air circulation under the panels. I have sent an email to Renogy to ask their opinion. They have been very helpful and responsive to my other questions.
Unless my logic is flawed, another reason I am slightly(?) over engineering this with 300W is this information that I got from Renogy regarding the 12AWG wiring in the camper. From my reading it would be difficult/expensive to rewire and adding another panel is easier and cheaper.
"A 12 gauge is suitable for your system because it can handle 35A, but you
are correct in assuming that there will be a large voltage drop across the
wire. If you are okay with that, then 12AWG wire will work fine."
I will upgrade to a Morningstar SS20L controller.
Finally, I will add a Trimetric. I saw this in action at RC Pilot Jim's, and was immediately convinced of its need.
I still have a few questons out, most stuff is ordered, and I hope to get started next weekend.
Thoughts/comments?
I will do a few posts with parts list, pictures, etc, as I proceed. And of course, information on performance/results after my first trip.
With such an interest in this subject I thought I would start a thread on my plan, build, and results to increase my solar system. This all from someone that still barely knows the difference between watts, volts, amps, draw, shunts, voltage drops, controllers, wire gauge, etc, etc. Hopefully this will help others in similar situations.
With all the feedback from the previous topic and direct communications with Morningstar and Renogy, hours of reading, and meeting with Jim, I think I have a plan that will work, but I welcome practical feedback.
My current system is a factory installed 80W panel, Morningstar SS6 controller, and two camper batteries. This was factory installed during my build in 2012 and I am told by FWC that all solar wiring is 12 AWG. I also had the extra solar plug installed in the back of the camper but was frustrated to learn that I can't even use it without upgrading the controller.
Much of my camping is in the desert in the winter - so short days and low angle sun. I have a compressor frig and need for lots of electronic use for my photography.
My plan is to remove the current 80W panel and install three 100W Renogy bendable panels wired in parallel. One in front of the bed vent, one between the vents, and one behind the kitchen vent. I can either glue them directly to the roof as some here have done successfully, or bolt (there are 6 grommets in each panel)/glue the panels to aluminum platforms and attach those to the full length Yakima tracks. If I go with the aluminum platforms I will add a bunch of cut-outs or drill holes in the aluminum to further reduce weight and allow some air circulation under the panels. I have sent an email to Renogy to ask their opinion. They have been very helpful and responsive to my other questions.
Unless my logic is flawed, another reason I am slightly(?) over engineering this with 300W is this information that I got from Renogy regarding the 12AWG wiring in the camper. From my reading it would be difficult/expensive to rewire and adding another panel is easier and cheaper.
"A 12 gauge is suitable for your system because it can handle 35A, but you
are correct in assuming that there will be a large voltage drop across the
wire. If you are okay with that, then 12AWG wire will work fine."
I will upgrade to a Morningstar SS20L controller.
Finally, I will add a Trimetric. I saw this in action at RC Pilot Jim's, and was immediately convinced of its need.
I still have a few questons out, most stuff is ordered, and I hope to get started next weekend.
Thoughts/comments?
I will do a few posts with parts list, pictures, etc, as I proceed. And of course, information on performance/results after my first trip.