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BB recommends, for long-term storage of their batteries, charge to 100% and then disconnect the wires. I never do that though. I just let the Victron control the solar charge. I leave the camper outdoors year round and never plug in. During our overcast, dim winter, it stays topped off unless...

A panel's Pmax rating is based on a lab 'standard' for what may be considered normal operating conditions, which is essentially a non real-world condition. Under the right orientation, tilt, irradiance and temperature conditions a panel's real-world Pmax could exceed it's listed rating. So, is...

ntsqd - used to do exactly the same thing (terminal strips) in a j-box. Never had any issues at all within the plastic, sealed j-box itself. Even though I thought there could be a problem with condensation within the box, it never was an issue - connections were always dry and bright showing...

Worth it, if you've experienced that level of corrosion. Good info. And good luck with the swap out. Rich

Like the j-box. Rich

Jack, I do think that there will be little change in the temp coefficient, since you are only providing an air gap the height of your velcro straps. You'd likely see more of a difference with, say, a 1-2 inch gap as if you had mounted the panels on an aluminum z-bar frame. I know that scientific...

Happy to hear you went with the Victon 100/30 controller over the 75/15 for future expansion. And also the Battle Born 100 AH LiFePO4. Excellent combination. Since you anticipate cold weather in your future, I'm assuming that if you just ordered the new battery it was the heated version...

One indirect advantage of a flatbed is that the camper sits just a tad higher on a flatbed than on a traditional pickup body. And as a result the camper's overhang sits a few inches higher over the truck's cab. This creates an opportunity to utilize the roof of the truck for carrying a few low...

Sounds like you're a guy that knows how to have good time! Just curious - What type of panels did you install (i.e., flexible, semi flexible, rigid) and how did you mount them (raised off roof a bit with an air gap, or direct to the roof with no air gap)? Or both?. To get an efficiency...

Steve, I think that your idea of using 3M 33 tape is a very good idea for non critical applications, for example, temporarily wrapping a plug and socket connection and then spreading a sealant over it - for easy removal later on. But I wouldn;t consider using electrical tape as a first layer...

Don't think you're missing anything. measuring with the multimeter only to confirm the voltage directly at the terminals vs through the wires to the other meters. Chances are your meter reading will be the same. Well, a cheap AGM swap out until the new Li, which I'm sure you'll really like maybe...

It kind of sounds like the plates in one or both of your AGM's are toast or close to it. Seems like it won't hold a charge any longer. You may still be able to charge it up to a fully charged voltage state, say 12.9 volts or so when in the resting state, but when you apply your normal loads next...

To increrase solar efficiency, run a snow blower over the panels once every 12 hours - R

BBZ - basically, if you don't already have an external solar plug on your camper, you'll need to install one or find another way to run the wires from the portable either directly to your battery or to a controller. If your existing controller can handle your rooftop 160w panel and the...

If you're concerned, maybe you could cover the plug after it's connected, with a dab of sikaflex or 4200 that you could remove easily if you needed to disconnect. If you have access to the wires under the plug you could run them through a weaher proof j-box, mounted on the roof. Frankly, I've...

effective heat dissapation.

Yes.that is correct, and thanks for pointing that out in case anyone is confused about that, but we're talking about a free flowing air gap. Not sure why anyone would create an air gap under a PV panel, specifically for dissapation of heat, and then enclose that gap and trap the heat. Seems like...

All Solar PV Modules will have a parameter indicated by the manufacturer called the “temperature coefficient”. The temperature coefficient represents the percentage at which the panel efficiency reduces at each increase in degree Celsius (°C). Unless a manufacturer has managed to defy the laws...

Don't over tighten the screws until after the 4200 sets up a bit, you'll wind up removing more than you put down if you over tighten right away.. After it set up some, then tighten them down. You really shouldn't need to overcoat the screws on the second round if you do the initial step...

Hey Steve, I get that. Yes that is a more complex arrangement. I can see why you're looking for an alternative without too much compromise in panel efficiency. One thing I did once, on a sailboat, was mount thin semi-flexible panels directly to the curved deck using some Dri-Deck. Dri-Deck will...

I don't see any advantage in gluing down a solar panel to your roof, especially since you said that you've already got Yakima tracks up there. Since you have those, why not use them? You can avoid drilling any holes in your roof, you can avoid mucking up your roof with messy dried up glue, you...

No question about it.

Fred, There are quite a few numbers in their lineup. In the marine world, Sikaflex 291 is a very popular, all around sealant and available at most marine supply stores and of course on Amazon, etc. The RV crowd seems to like Sikaflex 221 and also Sikaflex 715, specifically for RV roofs. I'd...

I've used AGM's and Gel cells before LiFePO4 batteries for the house bank, for over 20 years. And that's full time, on a boat, as a liveaboard. I also never plugged into shorepower for 10 of those years while cruising, relying completely on solar and wind power. I always monitored the batteries...

Sikaflex with acetone for prep and cleanup. i've used it in place of 3M 4200 and 3M 5200 on boats, in harsh environments, for years. It won't crack under stress or extreme heat. It takes a few days to fully cure, but worth the wait.