My 1st attempt at solar

[Happyjax]

So I have been reading all about solar setups and because I have no camper I have been giving advice based on my electronic knowledge.
Enough of that crap

I am building a solar suitcase for portable power.

I bought 2 Grape solar panels from Home Cheapo on sale. They were $70 a piece for 50 watt poly. Cheap enough for me to take the plunge.

At this point I have fashioned them into a set with a piano hinge and paralleled the connections.

I bought an inexpensive controller from Amazon that had good ratings.

I bought 2 35Ah Interstate AGM's which I will parallel for 70 Ah of bank.

I built the testing version out of wire that was available and am in the process of getting marine grade stuff which will be more flexible.

Pictures here are of my bench testing and temporary hookup. When I get a final build I'll update the pics

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Jackie, that's pretty neat. Nice work!

 

[ski3pin]

Jackie, that's pretty neat. Nice work!

Yes it is, good work!

 

[Happyjax]

Thanks guys

 

[Squatch]

Can't wait to see how it handles your fridge.

 

[PaulT]

Prior to getting your fridge, you could load test with something like this battery load tester.
http://t.harborfreight.com/100-amp-612v-battery-load-tester-61747.html

Should give you some insight. If nothing else, works as a load to draw down the battery(s) after your solar system has fully charged it so you can try other settings in your charge controller.

Paul

 

[Happyjax]

Bought the Indel TF41. That will go on it after I get my wiring redone. I will report how it all goes

 

[wuck]

Nice sandbox to play in, and learn a bit

Run that fridge, a laptop, charge your phone. See how it all plays together. What flavor controller did you get ?

 

[Happyjax]

It's called MooHoo...lol cheapy from Amazon but well rated. Wouldn't charge at first but found the float voltage was set to low. Works like a champ so far but haven't put it through the ringer yet. That comes this weekend I hope. Waiting on wire and connectors to get it properly installed. Will check current out of the panels then also and update

 

[DannyB1954]

This site also has good info on solar for vehicles http://www.cheaprvliving.com/
right at the top under store, you will see solar and wind.

 

[Happyjax]

Thanks Danny, I have checked that site out. Lots of good info as well as Solar Bob and some of the Solar Panel Company sites
Always open to info!

 

[Happyjax]

So I have completed the ammo box build for my battery. There is a second one which houses the 2nd battery and still needs a cable run. Have to get 10 gauge for that.

These are 2 35Ah Interstate AGMs. I have mounted everything that manages the battery and solar in box 1, along with some outputs.
I got these ideas from youtube not myself so can't take credit for that. I just liked this for the portable version.

I am still working on mount ideas for the solar. Squatch pointed me to a viable idea which I may attempt. Will post when I get that done.

Maybe this will give someone else some ideas on how we can make this better and useful for our wanderings

 

[DrJ]

Great job. I love your organized wires with labeling!

I get way too lazy at that point and just tie them all down.

 

[abqbw]

I really like the ammo box battery holder! I'm going to mount a 100 watt panel on my Yakima rack on my truck camper shell to use this summer while my Hawk is being built. Your ammo box will be great the portable system I want to build.


Sent from my iPhone using Wander The West

 

[Squatch]

Pretty spiffy!

 

[Happyjax]

A few more pictures of the ammo battery box.
The solar controller is just resting on top of the wiring section. I will use some velcro to attach it. There is little room for it to move when the top is down.
The fuse block has LEDs which light up if one blows for easy identification of a problem
I will work an ammeter in here somewhere, or at least a way to put my DMM in to check current on occasion.
It's still a project in progress
Thanks for following it
Suggestions always welcome

 

[CALIcamperdad]

My 50cal solar power system for our simple tent trailer.

28ah deep cycle batt, 20amp $30 solar controller with 20amp max output power feed side -> tied to 6 fusebox. Powers about 25ft oc LEd strip lighting split into three different lights, one ATV flood light 1amp draw, and a 12v charging hub with usb and 12v sockets. We charge it with two Renogy 10watt panels that just get set out. No switches are mounted in the 50cal box. 4 wire feeds exit the box.

1 trailer power feed to ATV light and Tongue box LED strip
2 tent LED lighting power feed
3 12V charging hub feed
4 Solar panel feed.
All come off the fuse box
I have a mini ground bar mounted in the box used for the common Neg off all the lights. I pull power through the controller so we can use its monitoring and safety cut off features, so its a closed loop no trailer ground due to the controller design.