captainphx
Senior Member
I had started another thread about lithium Ion batteries, and decided not to go that route, hence this new thread.
I have a 2012 Raven with an 85 watt solar panel and a Dometic 110 with two group 27 AGM's (That are now dead...again). I have had extreme difficulty keeping my batteries charged while out camping. As I was removing the batteries I noticed a water leak. The leak was in the water tank itself. I removed the water tank. So, I have the camper pretty torn up right now, so I thought it would be a good time to redo my solar system.
First thing I did was upgrade my original 10 AWG FWC wiring from the truck to the camper to 6 AWG. Thanks to DavidO for helping me with that!
This is what I am planning on ordering next.
1) Bogarts PWM SC2030 charge controller and the Trimetric TM2030A
2) Blue Sea ML-ACR
3) Zamp 160 watt 12V solar panel
4) 2 new AGM's (Crown?)
5) wiring for a portable solar panel
Been doing lots of research trying to get myself up to speed. I am not an electrical whiz, I think I can handle this, but does anyone see anything wrong with this equipement so far?
I would like to have more solar up top, rather than use a portable, but it seems that the 160 watt is about all I can get on my roof. I plan on removing the 85 watt. My roof has Yakima tracks, which I plan on using to mount the new panel, but I also have 2 Fantastic vents and a luggage rack.
I could attach a second panel to the top of the luggage rack, but that is to the rear of the roof and thus would add weight to the rear and make it more difficult to lift. And as it is right now, I can just clear the garage door by 1/2 inch. As a last resort I could remove the luggage rack, or at least the top part of it. Anyone see another way to add more watts to the roof? Otherwise, I'll have to rely on the portable, although we usually never stay in one place very long.
The Zamp 160 watt is quite expensive, $500. Not sure why. Other panels are quite a bit less expensive, around $200. What's the difference. Any recommendations?
Another view of rear part of roof.
I have a 2012 Raven with an 85 watt solar panel and a Dometic 110 with two group 27 AGM's (That are now dead...again). I have had extreme difficulty keeping my batteries charged while out camping. As I was removing the batteries I noticed a water leak. The leak was in the water tank itself. I removed the water tank. So, I have the camper pretty torn up right now, so I thought it would be a good time to redo my solar system.
First thing I did was upgrade my original 10 AWG FWC wiring from the truck to the camper to 6 AWG. Thanks to DavidO for helping me with that!
This is what I am planning on ordering next.
1) Bogarts PWM SC2030 charge controller and the Trimetric TM2030A
2) Blue Sea ML-ACR
3) Zamp 160 watt 12V solar panel
4) 2 new AGM's (Crown?)
5) wiring for a portable solar panel
Been doing lots of research trying to get myself up to speed. I am not an electrical whiz, I think I can handle this, but does anyone see anything wrong with this equipement so far?
I would like to have more solar up top, rather than use a portable, but it seems that the 160 watt is about all I can get on my roof. I plan on removing the 85 watt. My roof has Yakima tracks, which I plan on using to mount the new panel, but I also have 2 Fantastic vents and a luggage rack.
I could attach a second panel to the top of the luggage rack, but that is to the rear of the roof and thus would add weight to the rear and make it more difficult to lift. And as it is right now, I can just clear the garage door by 1/2 inch. As a last resort I could remove the luggage rack, or at least the top part of it. Anyone see another way to add more watts to the roof? Otherwise, I'll have to rely on the portable, although we usually never stay in one place very long.
The Zamp 160 watt is quite expensive, $500. Not sure why. Other panels are quite a bit less expensive, around $200. What's the difference. Any recommendations?
Another view of rear part of roof.