Another Solar Setup
Many thanks to all you folks who helped me work out the details of my solar installation. And for the many examples of your craftsmanship. This link to some pictures may work: Picassa Album "Solar...
Forum Discussion
OK, here's an update. Bottom line is I'm very happy with this setup so far.
Admittedly, it is summer and the days are long, and once setup we don't use many amps. But it's windy, rainy and cloudy today, so we are spending more time inside. And the solar panels are only giving me 25-50W in MPPT.
But that seems to be enough to charge up the computers and tablets, and run the 3G antenna amp for internet access. I also have a handheld 75W inverter for my coffee grinder, but that's all the 110VAC we use. The water pump and electric awning are run occasionally.
During initial setup, the electric tongue jack was run and up several times (use it to help remove the tension bars), the electric stab jacks set and the slide opened. There was a bit more sun then with maybe 100W from the panels, so the batteries were quickly recharged afterwards.
All the 12V electrical do-hickeys on this trailer were the reason we decided to go solar, and it does seem to be doing the trick. But the real test will be next November when we spend 3-5 days at Great Smokey Mountains National Park. The leaves will be off the trees but they don't call the mountains "Smokey" for nothing. And it gets cold then, often below freezing at night, so the furnace fan will be running. We'll see. At some point I'd like to add a second bank of AGMs to help out.
Admittedly, it is summer and the days are long, and once setup we don't use many amps. But it's windy, rainy and cloudy today, so we are spending more time inside. And the solar panels are only giving me 25-50W in MPPT.
But that seems to be enough to charge up the computers and tablets, and run the 3G antenna amp for internet access. I also have a handheld 75W inverter for my coffee grinder, but that's all the 110VAC we use. The water pump and electric awning are run occasionally.
During initial setup, the electric tongue jack was run and up several times (use it to help remove the tension bars), the electric stab jacks set and the slide opened. There was a bit more sun then with maybe 100W from the panels, so the batteries were quickly recharged afterwards.
All the 12V electrical do-hickeys on this trailer were the reason we decided to go solar, and it does seem to be doing the trick. But the real test will be next November when we spend 3-5 days at Great Smokey Mountains National Park. The leaves will be off the trees but they don't call the mountains "Smokey" for nothing. And it gets cold then, often below freezing at night, so the furnace fan will be running. We'll see. At some point I'd like to add a second bank of AGMs to help out.
