Been meaning to post this for a few weeks but wanted to get some good real world data before reporting. After reading about some of the other upgrades going on out there I decided to do mine as well. I started with the system that originally came with my 2013 Hawk: 95 watt panel and a Morningstar SS-10L-12V controller. Decided to add two Renogy 100 watt bendable panels and update the controller as required. I also wanted to add a Trimetric 2030 RV battery monitor. I originally was going to go for a Morningstar SS-20L-12V controller but after doing a little research found that the Trimetric SC 2030 controller would be perfect as when connected to the 2030 RV monitor gives you lots of information plus many battery charging options.
Started by gluing down the 2 Renogy panels using 3M Marine adhesive and weighing them down with patio stones for a couple days. Used some MC4 adapter cable adapters to tie the panels together and used the stock SAE roof connector and jack to plug into the existing camper wiring. I used some 3M doubleback tape and some Secure TM wire clamps to secure the wiring. Here's some pictures of the roof :
The installation of the Trimetric controller and battery monitor went well but took a little time. Here's some pictures:
I finally got a chance to see what it could do last week as I was up at the Sunrise area of Mount Rainier about noon last week. It was perfectly clear and I was getting a high of about 14.6 amps of solar charging on the Trimetric. Not bad. I did also had another problem as I discovered that my power connector on my truck bed was corroded and shorted out due to all the moisture around here. Had to change that out as well. Good project for me and I thank all the others who gave out all the info on their solar system installations before me as It made my project go so much smoother.
Started by gluing down the 2 Renogy panels using 3M Marine adhesive and weighing them down with patio stones for a couple days. Used some MC4 adapter cable adapters to tie the panels together and used the stock SAE roof connector and jack to plug into the existing camper wiring. I used some 3M doubleback tape and some Secure TM wire clamps to secure the wiring. Here's some pictures of the roof :
The installation of the Trimetric controller and battery monitor went well but took a little time. Here's some pictures:
I finally got a chance to see what it could do last week as I was up at the Sunrise area of Mount Rainier about noon last week. It was perfectly clear and I was getting a high of about 14.6 amps of solar charging on the Trimetric. Not bad. I did also had another problem as I discovered that my power connector on my truck bed was corroded and shorted out due to all the moisture around here. Had to change that out as well. Good project for me and I thank all the others who gave out all the info on their solar system installations before me as It made my project go so much smoother.