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We had some snow overnight here in the higher elevations of the Tetons. Warming up again today, feels like autumn weather. Enjoy!

Duct tape, duct tape, and a roll of duct tape. Tire plug repair kit - it's saved my bacon 3+ times in the backcountry. Cigarette lighter plug-in air pump, to inflate the flat you just had. Flashlight, some common wrenches and screwdrivers, bungee cords, zip ties and DUCT TAPE. I've used duct...

I saw that too, Paul...I think I've scoured every video on series vs. parallel on the internet LOL. Decided I'm going to make 2 types of adapters/pigtails for my panels. One will be a series adapter, the other a parallel. I have the plugs and wire for the one, have to spend about $20 to...

Rando, could you elaborate a little on the shading aspects of parallel vs. series? Seems to be a lot of confusion out there regarding the two configurations. General consensus seems to be parallel is better in shade, bec. one panel in shade in series will draw the whole network down. Others...

Camel, I thought about that, too, but my counter-argument to that is, if you have your panels all mounted on the roof of your camper, and they're all pointed in the same direction, it's probably rare that one will be in the shade and one in full sun, considering the fact that they're all in...

Thank you, Rando...you've been a big help. Deciding between convenience vs. ability to aim a portable. If I want it, I can get the 3rd rooftop panel cheaper than new from a friend who doesn't need his anymore...weight of the addl. 80W is not an issue (~15lbs.). I know I wouldn't have figured...

My thinking also. Getting a small portable is a lot less work. Just as an exercise, I made a diagram of what I'd have to do to connect all panels in series thru the rooftop....it wouldn't be hard to do. Thanks for giving me the starting point. I could use these 3 pigtails and do it fairly...

If I wanted to go back to parallel connections only I don't think I could use that connector....it's 18AWG and wouldn't support 18A total between the three panels. I see what you're saying regarding the pigtails. Thanks for giving me a visual image. I've been using my camper more and more...

Rando, I drew this out on paper. I can still use my Y connector for the parallel connection between the two 80s, but I'll need to cut and solder for the series connection to the rooftop plug. Would you concur?

I've thought about that, but the 160W panel is between the two 80s. I think that's going to require a lot of wires running back and forth across the rooftop w/the parallel and series connections, but maybe I'm wrong. Also seems a little confusing to me how to do SAE connections with series...

The sidewall connector is identical to my rooftop plug. My 160W panel will plug in there. The connections meet behind the MPPT controller now....all I have to do is rewire in series what's back there. It's wired in parallel at the moment (i.e., the rooftop and sidewall plugs), but the...

The dohicky is just a 3-hole wire push connector, looks like this: That would do what rando suggested.... 2x 80w in parallel, then those in series with the 160w. What's the dohicky you are using in the middle to join them in series? Where are you going to locate that? Close to the...

Rando and/or Vic, here's a lousy diagram of my setup in series as you guys suggested: Just not sure about the Y connector, but I think it accomplishes the parallel connection between the two 80W panels. Thanks for your help.

Thanks for your reply. I'll have to use more expensive Zamp 80W panels, as they have the footprint I need for my rooftop configuration. Fortunately they're fairly light. I have this connector...

Thanks for your reply, Vic. I'm still getting my head wrapped around this....I checked the specs for my MPPT controller. Says it can accept a max voltage of 50V. Recommended max is ~40V. I know if you connect panels in series voltage is additive, but amperage is not. Let's forget about a...

After giving FWC my serial # on my Hawk, I was assured by FWC that my wiring was 10 AWG from the factory, but my inspection of most of the wiring behind the solar controller looks to be 12 AWG. There is some 10 AWG going to the battery, but it has some 12 AWG spliced on to the last foot, where...

Mine also heats up in about 10-15 min. Surprisingly, I can wake up the next morning and I still have hot water from the day before. Works pretty well.

The other way to check and see how that external SAE plug/receptacle is wired is to use a voltmeter/multimeter. Hook the wires that are coiled up in your battery compartment to your battery the way the wires indicate, i.e., red to positive terminal, black to negative (what kind of connections do...

Hi ...I can try to help. 1) You most likely need a controller with any portable panel you buy, as I doubt FWC put a controller in your camper. Check that, but if not, then, yes, get a portable with a controller 2) That's a trickier question. You have to see how your external plug is wired...

Have a Hawk with the 160W roof panel. I'm adding a second 80W panel to my roof next week, which won't increase the weight much. Also bought one of these, based on a friend's recommendation...

Can Wyoming people come? LOL

I wish I could do this.... after eyeballing the back of my camper (Hawk) and taking some measurements, I don't think it's possible for me to mount the bike lock the same way others have on here. Any screws/bolts that are placed within 2" of the top of the camper (excluding the pop-up roof)...

We have a CarQuest Auto Parts store here in Jackson, and I bought two 6V flooded wet cells this time, and connected them in series. I had AGMs connected in parallel last time. Decided to try older technology LOL. More maintenance, you have to check water every so often, but the cost is cheap...

Yes, if the connector were exactly as pictured, two female red ends and two male black ends. Unfortunately, people who commented on that plug after purchasing have said the plug is not as pictured - just a normal SAE to SAE plug.

I was thinking the same thing, but aren't most generators at least a little noisy? Don't have any experience w/any except for those big ones people have when their home power goes out. They have those power-pole devices, which I think are basically just a rechargeable battery, but I might be...