Portable solar
Would like to hear from those who own and use a PORTABLE solar panel system. We have 2 campers; Eagle Cap truck camper, and an Airstream trailer. Our power needs are minimal. A few (LED) lights...
Forum Discussion
I am currently trying to get a portable solar system put together. Have purchased about everything except the batteries. I have a bumper pull travel trailer and also a horse trailer with living quarters trailer. If our travels don't include the horses I pull the bumper trailer. Wanting solar but since I have not committed to one trailer yet and I don't want to park in the sun, I decided to try and put together a stand alone power skid. I have a 1 ton dually dodge ram diesel truck which pulls both trailers. The truck has a flatbed aka "haybed" which can handle large round bales of hay. I plan on using the haybed to "load" the portable solar skid onto the back of my truck. When the skid is loaded the panels will be flat and hover above the cab of my truck. The skid will be functional while loaded but plan is when I get to where I'm camping I will unload the skid in the sun and run an extension cord to my trailer parked in the shade. There has been some design challenges as we put the skid together. I am planning to have the capability to raise the panels (manually) to 45 degree angle for winter solar collection. Below are the components I have purchased:
1) TM-2025-RV Battery Monitor Package
2)Morningstar ts mppt - 45amp mpt charge controller
3)Caster Wheels - on bottom of skid so it can be moved
4) Batteries - Have not purchased yet. Originally planned on using 4ea 6v golf cart wet cells for a 12volt system but since the skid design may be "off plumb" during load/unload; ventilation for wet cells creates additional skid design problems; and I don't want to spend the time to maintain the batteries properly; I have decided to stay with 4ea 6v but go with agm type batteries and all I need to keep focused on then is making sure they don't get below 50% charge.
5) Samlex PST-2000-12 Pure Sine Inverter
6) IOTA Battery Charger - 12V 55A - If I need to use a generator this charger should charge the batteries more quickly.
7) I already have a couple generators and may carry one depending on where I'm going and for how long. Hopefully I can get by without it.
Metal for frame & box skid - My brother-in-law is doing the fabrication.
solar panels - 2ea - 270 watt monocrystalline
wire/fuses/rack for components/etc.
Scissor Jacks (2ea) 4" to 30" lift range - 5000# capacity - The main part of the skid will only be about 24 inches deep x 44" wide so I plan on putting "outriggers" to make the skid more stable (in wind) and also to have the capability to keep it level if put on unlevel ground.
1) TM-2025-RV Battery Monitor Package
2)Morningstar ts mppt - 45amp mpt charge controller
3)Caster Wheels - on bottom of skid so it can be moved
4) Batteries - Have not purchased yet. Originally planned on using 4ea 6v golf cart wet cells for a 12volt system but since the skid design may be "off plumb" during load/unload; ventilation for wet cells creates additional skid design problems; and I don't want to spend the time to maintain the batteries properly; I have decided to stay with 4ea 6v but go with agm type batteries and all I need to keep focused on then is making sure they don't get below 50% charge.
5) Samlex PST-2000-12 Pure Sine Inverter
6) IOTA Battery Charger - 12V 55A - If I need to use a generator this charger should charge the batteries more quickly.
7) I already have a couple generators and may carry one depending on where I'm going and for how long. Hopefully I can get by without it.
Metal for frame & box skid - My brother-in-law is doing the fabrication.
solar panels - 2ea - 270 watt monocrystalline
wire/fuses/rack for components/etc.
Scissor Jacks (2ea) 4" to 30" lift range - 5000# capacity - The main part of the skid will only be about 24 inches deep x 44" wide so I plan on putting "outriggers" to make the skid more stable (in wind) and also to have the capability to keep it level if put on unlevel ground.
