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hybridized
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Jul 04, 2014

750W Solar install on TT

I am attempting to wire a 2800W Inverter/750W PV system onto a 2007 Kodiak 210DB hybrid, capable of shore or generator input.

I am posting my basic wiring diagram in the hope that, if I've overlooked some fundamental aspect, someone with far more knowledge than I may notice the error:



Notes: I am only running two batteries mainly due to weight. When we dry camp, it's usually for 3-5 days at a time, and usually not in extreme weather (some heat, almost never A/C). We want to be able to run/charge off shore when available, have generator input only when necessary, and run/charge off solar the majority of the time. I plan on running fridge (and everything else PV will support on a given day) on electric as much as possible.

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Brett

13 Replies

  • Hi,

    Your diagram shows a 2 pole power panel. If you have a 50 amp service, you would be limiting it a lot by using a 3,600 watt 30 amp 120 volt main, instead of the potential 50 amp 120/240 volt service that has 12 KW of capacity. If your RV has a 30 amp service, then the diagram is correct for that use. I also have a 30 amp service to my RV and wired it to pass through my Trace M1512 inverter. Basically the same way you are showing.

    Later I rewired the inverter. Now it just feeds a couple of receptacles. Now I have the ability to shut off the circuit breaker feeding the inverter and transfer those loads to my solar system, while still able to use the 120 volt shore power to run my A/C when desired. The M1512 1500 watt inverter will not run the A/C because it required pure sine wave power, and will not run on MSW.

    Two batteries will work out great. You don't need to save very much energy, the pair will store about 2 KW. The larger solar system will make up for a shortage of battery storage, by putting out about 20 - 40 amps during the day.

    I had a 415W solar system while living in my RV during 2006 - 2008. It was plenty large enough for my needs, and I had Direct TV all that time, running the receiver with the inverter. I had 4 batteries at the time, now just two.

    I have actually moved a pair of 45W solar panels to a friends house, where I wired up about a dozen 12 volt LED panel lights. Each will use about 0.2 amps, and are powered at night with a used 30 AH sealed battery.

    Then I removed my pair of 120 watt panels to recharge my pair of batteries at my house, and plan on running some DC wiring to run lights inside and out. It should allow me to run a lot of things, off grid, in my home that is using about 1 MW per month running the normal loads found in a house. I probably will only save about 3 or 5 KW per month, but it is a start to saving energy.

    Fred.
  • It looks like you are prepared to invest quite a lot in getting the right setup.

    If the obstacle to adding more storage is weight / space have you considered looking at Lithium Ion storage instead of lead acid?

    You can fit a lot more storage capacity into a much smaller, lighter package that way.

    If you do look at Lithium Ion, you will need to work with whomever you source them from to make sure that your hardware (particularly the MPPT) is set up correctly.
  • That all looks good if you manually connect your shore power cable to a generator. If you wish to have shore power and generator power automatically served, you'll need an additional transfer switch.

    FWIW, I run a small fridge with 235W of solar and two battery banks totalling 310AH. The solar also takes care of my 120V entertainment gear and 12V lights, fans, and pump.

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