Decided to add a small solar panel to the rig.

twinster2

twinster2

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2016
Posts
737
Location
Kalamazoo, MI & Leesburg, FL
twinster2 said:
I just can not stop diddling with the FF. After reading about another member adding a solar panel to his camper, I decided to look around and see what I could get. I bought this 50 Watt Renogy starter kit on Amazon. Will set it up as a portable unit that can be propped up on the ground. If I need more power, I can always added another panel.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DCDZOI0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Cool! That a great way to start. They must be in demand "ships in 1-2 months"
 
I use a 120 watt portable -- it has changed everything. We never run the generator, and we can boondock as long as we want (until the gray tank gets full, which is about a week). The panel tops off the battery every day.
 
I would like to have a portable solar panel, but chose to install a fixed one first and see if that does the trick. I can't wait to hear how yours does, as adding a 50 watt would be a good choice for portable solar.
 
The beauty of a portable is of course that if you are in a shaded campsite (which we prefer in the hot summer) you can move the panel to a sunnier spot maybe. I think on a roof installation it would be good to be able to tilt the panels for maximum exposure rather than have them in a fixed position.
 
When my panel arrives, I will need to think about how I want to mange it. First thing is to set up a thru the wall SAE plug with the controller either inside the pass thru storage bay or inside the living area of the trailer. What have you guys done?

Also it would be nice to mount it on the roof but be detachable for portable use as well. Biggest problem is that the roof is pretty high so climbing up there to detach the panel would get old very quickly. And if it is not mounted on the roof, how would I store it so it does not get broken? Any suggestions?
 
One idea for a location to install a panel is on the back of the trailer, where you could tilt it for a good angle to the sun, or remove it and set it somewhere in the sun.

I am planning to install mine on the roof (T139) and use a cable entry plate to secure the cables and seal from weather, and drop the cables down where the shower valve/wall is (and also where the sink vent is located). I would like to mount the controller to the left of the sink, on the back of the shower wall, where I drop the wires. This seems like a great place to run the wires from the controller, which leads them under the sink and to the front of the trailer (next to all the other wires that run that direction).
 
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profdant139 said:
I store my portable on the bed when we are in transit.

And I hook it directly to the battery (on the tongue) with alligator clips.
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What size panel are you running as a portable unit? I am very interested in adding a small portable one down the road.
 
be careful

corleykj said:
One idea for a location to install a panel is on the back of the trailer, where you could tilt it for a good angle to the sun, or remove it and set it somewhere in the sun.

I am planning to install mine on the roof (T139) and use a cable entry plate to secure the cables and seal from weather, and drop the cables down where the shower valve/wall is (and also where the sink vent is located). I would like to mount the controller to the left of the sink, on the back of the shower wall, where I drop the wires. This seems like a great place to run the wires from the controller, which leads them under the sink and to the front of the trailer (next to all the other wires that run that direction).
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It is very important to locate the charge controller as close to the battery as possible, with suitable gauge cables. Good info on IRV2 forum... ;)
 
Wow was offline a few days and missed all this. Really interested in this as I would like to add solar. Post pictures!

Liz
 
So far I've finished assembling a stand out of 1/2 inch PVC pipe that will prop up the panel between 30 and 55 degrees. I strengthened the pipe by inserting wood dowels. As can be seen, the stand is slightly wider on the bottom so that it will "lock" inside the aluminum frame for transport. All up weight is about 13 pounds.







 
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Great job! A word of advice -- when you deploy the panel during windy conditions, put a few heavy rocks on the crossbar. I have not had a panel flip over and break during high wind, but I know someone who has.
 
profdant139 said:
Great job! A word of advice -- when you deploy the panel during windy conditions, put a few heavy rocks on the crossbar. I have not had a panel flip over and break during high wind, but I know someone who has.
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I would get 2 3 or 5lb ankle weights from walmart would easily go on pcv pipe.
 
Just about finished with my Solar Panel Project. Below is a picture of the SAE two pin connector port I added to the side of my trailer. I also included a picture of left pass thru hatch where I decided to mount the charge controller. Since controller is pretty much automatic, meaning once the solar panel is plugged in it charges and when its not plugged in it does nothing, there was no point to putting it in a more prominent spot in the inside of the trailer.



 
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