I full timed off and on(mostly on) for over 20 years. Retired in a house and still love traveling and camping. I bought a small v nosed cargo trailer that I will be boon docking in some nights to save hotel money.I am interested in installing solar and battery(no inverter) to run an led light and a roof vent fan, maybe a 12volt charging outlet for cell phone. I was slogging through threads that had more to do with alternators, large battery banks, tying into main power. My needs are simple, I want the option of bedding down for the night with my dogs and a good book when stopping for night or dry camping. Suggestions welcome. Experience Very welcome! Thank you in advance.

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Your described usage is so low that you could simply install a single battery Group 27 or 31 and a single 100 watt panel and basic controller from Home Depot or from one of the online sellers (www.solarblvd.com) etc and you would be well past covering your charging needs if there is any sun at all. A maxxair or fantastic fan if kept in one of the lower settings uses less than one amp of power, and LED lights use very little as well. You likely could place the battery on the tongue and if your tow vehicle uses a 7 pin plug, let it charge the trailer on the days that you move, and on the days you dont, simply start the truck and then connect jumper cables to the trailer battery for a half hour and get whta you need.

Cargo trailer, poorly insulated, can be hot as hell or freezing cold. Cold you can fight off small propane heater without 12V draw, just make sure of adequate ventilation. On hot days/nights you might want to run 12V fan on High, about 30-40 AH over 12 hours, together with LED lights. For this reason I would get battery group 31. 100W solar might work, if augmented frequent charging from truck alternator. With 10A solar controller.

From our experience for a grp 27 or 31 true deep cycle you will want about 160 watts of solar in full sun. That said if battery life isn't important 80 to 100 watts will work.

My son wanted solar to keep his batteries charged while in storage plus some. But I found 2 80W used panels which is more that you asked about. 100W might be adequate for you but consider a 160W 12V panel from Solar Blvd as you'll have room for more power or just plenty when it rains all day.Here's my son's install. Click here.

Looking for solar suggestions | Good Sam Community

30 Replies

deadticket8
Explorer
Aug 02, 2018
I had a nice rack welded on with some 1 1/2" angle iron.It's a V nose so mounting on tongue wouldn't work but a good thought. He charged me $30, I was embarrassed and asked him to at least take $40. As soon as I figure out how to post pictures I will.
westend
Explorer
Aug 01, 2018
deadticket8 wrote:
I added a Maxair fan and insulated the ceiling with 1" foam board. That Maxair pulls some air. Now in process of adding vents low to pull air across floor. Also am adding an inverter and a small frig. I tell you what, that panel is awesome! Charges battery on overcast days, after sunset and this is a flat setup. I need to find a welder to set up a proper battery rack, I'd like to add another to see what that panel will do! I will add pictures soon.I recommend solar Blvd as it was recommended to me here!
Lacking a welder, buy a metal tool box and install it on the tongue. It will hold your batteries and most offer lockability. Torklift Inc. makes a very nice battery box but are not cheap.
deadticket8
Explorer
Jul 31, 2018
I added a Maxair fan and insulated the ceiling with 1" foam board. That Maxair pulls some air. Now in process of adding vents low to pull air across floor. Also am adding an inverter and a small frig. I tell you what, that panel is awesome! Charges battery on overcast days, and this is a flat setup. I need to find a welder to set up a proper battery rack, I'd like to add another to see what that panel will do! I will add pictures soon.I recommend solar Blvd as it was recommended to me here!
Note: Looks like solar blvd closed their doors. They treated me well.
deadticket8
Explorer
Jun 11, 2018
Hi! New puppy and other so forth, will take my next trip soon and will try to post pictures. If computers were dangerous, I would be a hazard! Looking for suggestions on a invertor. Will use it to charge laptop. Do I need a fancy one or will a small one from auto zone or o'reillys do?
Traveler7
Explorer
May 19, 2018
deadticket8 wrote:
So, I did my first trip from NH to Idaho then back. I had a bad factory connection which I butt spliced and all good. I had mostly sunny or partly cloudy days and traveled daily. I never ran battery into yellow zone except once before fixing connection.( My Morningstar controller has no digital readout, I have green yellow red.)After the fix battery went to green in about 1 hour of early morning sun. While traveling I used a fan in daytime when stopped and at night 1 led interior light, also charged phone and dvd player, blue tooth head phones from system. I plan on adding some exterior lights and a vent fan. Also I will be camping in more shaded spots in the north east. I will update.

Very cool! How about some pics on your set up?
deadticket8
Explorer
May 12, 2018
So, I did my first trip from NH to Idaho then back. I had a bad factory connection which I butt spliced and all good. I had mostly sunny or partly cloudy days and traveled daily. I never ran battery into yellow zone except once before fixing connection.( My Morningstar controller has no digital readout, I have green yellow red.)After the fix battery went to green in about 1 hour of early morning sun. While traveling I used a fan in daytime when stopped and at night 1 led interior light, also charged phone and dvd player, blue tooth head phones from system. I plan on adding some exterior lights and a vent fan. Also I will be camping in more shaded spots in the north east. I will update.
profdant139
Explorer II
Mar 11, 2018
For what it's worth, you sound like a minimalist, which would sort of describe us, too. We camp for weeks at a time with two group 31 batteries and a 120 watt portable suitcase panel. This tops up the battery every day (if it is not too cloudy).

We use it for lights, the fridge, the water heater, the furnace (sparingly), the pump, and an inverter to charge an iPhone. This is not a fancy solar unit -- just a Chinese imitation of a Renogy suitcase, with a controller. Easy to deploy, easy to hook up, easy to store.

A rooftop unit would be even easier, but we camp in the shade most of the time.
Almot
Explorer III
Mar 10, 2018
This 180W panel? It says MC4 connectors. Solar Blvd and other places have "MC4 extension cable" that you run from panels to controller. You need a cable twice longer than the desired run, and cut it in half, so you'll get 2 leads, to connect to panel. That's a beauty of today's panels, most of them have standard MC4 connectors. No crimping.

deadticket8 wrote:
Am trying out my panel from Solar Blvd. before install. Getting 22.5 volts, 9.6 amps when angled at sun, 4.8 when flat. Bought connectors, unfortunately my crimper crimps flat
deadticket8
Explorer
Mar 06, 2018
Am trying out my panel from Solar Blvd. before install. Getting 22.5 volts, 9.6 amps when angled at sun, 4.8 when flat. Bought connectors, unfortunately my crimper crimps flat which won't work. So I sent for a cable with a male and female connector. They are very nice people and seems like prices are lower when you order over phone. BTW I am a 62 year old woman so girls, don't be afraid to take on projects!
deadticket8
Explorer
Feb 16, 2018
A couple of days ago I ordered a 180 watt panel and a 20 amp controller. It is 52" long and 24 " wide. My trailer should be 60" wide and it should leave room for the mounting behind vent.I will see about getting some aluminum tracks or angle to mount it on. For starters I will go with a group 31 battery 105 AH. Thank you for everyone's help. In March I will get my trailer and start the installation. As soon as I test everything out I will repost and report how its working. My cargo trailer has a window and roof vent so I bought a Fan Tastic endless breeze portable fan to move air.