Hi all.Just sharing this picture. I camp a couple times a year with no hookups and don't want to rely on the inverter anymore.So, I am going solar.Below is what I have (minus the 250W panel and pure sine wave inverter I bought).I am a LOT nervous about this install/drilling holes, but I have all my cables and gear ready to go. I even color coded my hookup clips so that if I ever need to have someone hook up they can't(shouldn't) mess it up.I realize there is going to be some criticism, but I wanted to share the pre-install pic anyway. Everything is going to be in my pass through.Here is the link since I can't seem get the picture to post. Then click on the picture to enlarge it.Click here

You may want to prepare for future upgrades. Once you have free power, there seems to be endless "wants" for more generation. BTW, wouldn't it be easier to pull the wire and then attach your connectors?

I always like to see other peoples setups and plans, I installed a small 85w system on our old rig, but now I am researching a new much larger build for our new rig. I am wanting 200+ watts and a battery monitor too, but no big inverter plans right now, just have a small 100w inverter for our TV.I was super nervous about drilling a hole in the roof of our old rig, but seal it up good with dicor and eternabond and it shouldn't give you any issues (assuming you inspect it regularly, like should be done anyways).

Been over 3 weeks in our new class A on 200 watts of portable solar without cranking the ginny. Looks like about 400 will be what we finally end up with. Got unknown brand house batteries so those will go in the boat this winter.

scrubjaysnest wrote:Been over 3 weeks in our new class A on 200 watts of portable solar without cranking the ginny. Looks like about 400 will be what we finally end up with. Got unknown brand house batteries so those will go in the boat this winter.Which portable kit?

Hey all. Done the install inside the trailer and thought I would share. I am open to critiques. Click here

I am going solar | Good Sam Community

25 Replies

samhain7
Explorer
Jul 20, 2016
Hi all. Wanted to send a quick update.
Did a 7 day trip off the grind and the solar worked great!
I kept a close eye on it and would guess I was harvesting around 5 AMP average. An entire week with NO inverter/generator.
And at night the kids were able to watch a movie before bed with the 100W inverter plugged into the TV.
One thing I have to figure out. As the week went on, it seemed like my battery was discharging quicker.... I am not sure if this is true as I don't yet know how to measure that.
However, it was really REALLy nice to not have to plug in and start the genny and worry about what my neighbours though....
westend
Explorer
Jun 30, 2016
If I choose to view the image I can see them. Maybe better for sharing to use this website's software.

Your display looks OK to me but I don't have that display so nothing to compare to. To be truthful, since my solar system has been active for a few years, I rarely check the battery monitor or pull up the display for the solar components. It's a touch of old-school to not touch what ain't broken, I suppose. I also have a pair of analog gauges that are switched and they are never on, either.
samhain7
Explorer
Jun 30, 2016
And for some reason my pictures don't display from google photos!,
samhain7
Explorer
Jun 30, 2016
Hey all. Anyone have the same display as me?

Just wondering if this looks ok?

I think the battery voltage is ok. But the display looks like it is half dead!
samhain7
Explorer
Jun 28, 2016
GrandpaKip wrote:
Nice work.
I would have to install some type of guards over the components, as my compartment is full of stuff.

Yeah, when in route, i am going simple. Pool noodles...
GrandpaKip
Explorer II
Jun 28, 2016
Nice work.
I would have to install some type of guards over the components, as my compartment is full of stuff.
bill-e
Explorer
Jun 28, 2016
Yea, used those before at work but hadn't thought of them...thanks

I picked the Zamp because it seemed to be the highest quality and had the best onboard controller.....and I didn't want to build something. Also, if we start doing a little family boondocking (ie. not with a bunch of guys shooting) my wife and I like to be under the trees so a permanent installation seemed to not be an option. Zamp portable is about as expensive as a permanent so cost wasn't a consideration.
westend
Explorer
Jun 28, 2016
bill-e wrote:
westend wrote:
bill-e wrote:
danimal53 wrote:
critiques? hell no, that looks good, nice work.

i was thinking of getting a kit myself, does anyone know anything about ZampSolar? my newer TT came "pre-wired" with a zamp solar outlet, does that mean I can only use their panel/systems?
I just ordered the Zamp 200 watt portable kit and new batteries.

My guess is that Zamp uses the 12 gauge wire for portability purposes, remember there is virtually no loss between the panels and the controller so they can stand a bit more loss to the battery from the thinner cable....thus allowing a very small, easy to handle wire package.
You may rethink that theory about wire loss when your new batteries need a good charge.

Installing wire that results in harvest loss is one thing that is easily remedied and makes no sense. Why spend significant dollars on solar charging only to lose charge power for the life of the installation when a few dollars more could buy bigger wire?

I may add a portable panel for those times I'm camped in impenetrable shade but I will use the largest wire possible and have the controller as close to the batteries as I can (where it is currently located).
Yes, I understand about loss and if I were installing solar for extended boondocking I would have gone a different route. For me, my dry camping is 100% 2-4 days surrounded by fellow shooters who run their sometimes loud generators very often so this is more for the fun of it than anything.

When I looked at the Zamp the first thing I noticed was the cable size but unfortunately the Zamp controller terminals only go as large as 12 gauge. My thought was to eventually make a short pigtail/connector out of the controller and then run larger wire from there.
Understood. The pigtail makes good sense. You could also use something like these Insulated spade connectors that allow larger wire into a smallish barrier strip.
bill-e
Explorer
Jun 28, 2016
westend wrote:
bill-e wrote:
danimal53 wrote:
critiques? hell no, that looks good, nice work.

i was thinking of getting a kit myself, does anyone know anything about ZampSolar? my newer TT came "pre-wired" with a zamp solar outlet, does that mean I can only use their panel/systems?
I just ordered the Zamp 200 watt portable kit and new batteries.

My guess is that Zamp uses the 12 gauge wire for portability purposes, remember there is virtually no loss between the panels and the controller so they can stand a bit more loss to the battery from the thinner cable....thus allowing a very small, easy to handle wire package.
You may rethink that theory about wire loss when your new batteries need a good charge.

Installing wire that results in harvest loss is one thing that is easily remedied and makes no sense. Why spend significant dollars on solar charging only to lose charge power for the life of the installation when a few dollars more could buy bigger wire?

I may add a portable panel for those times I'm camped in impenetrable shade but I will use the largest wire possible and have the controller as close to the batteries as I can (where it is currently located).
Yes, I understand about loss and if I were installing solar for extended boondocking I would have gone a different route. For me, my dry camping is 100% 2-4 days surrounded by fellow shooters who run their sometimes loud generators very often so this is more for the fun of it than anything.

When I looked at the Zamp the first thing I noticed was the cable size but unfortunately the Zamp controller terminals only go as large as 12 gauge. My thought was to eventually make a short pigtail/connector out of the controller and then run larger wire from there.
westend
Explorer
Jun 28, 2016
bill-e wrote:
danimal53 wrote:
critiques? hell no, that looks good, nice work.

i was thinking of getting a kit myself, does anyone know anything about ZampSolar? my newer TT came "pre-wired" with a zamp solar outlet, does that mean I can only use their panel/systems?
I just ordered the Zamp 200 watt portable kit and new batteries.

My guess is that Zamp uses the 12 gauge wire for portability purposes, remember there is virtually no loss between the panels and the controller so they can stand a bit more loss to the battery from the thinner cable....thus allowing a very small, easy to handle wire package.
You may rethink that theory about wire loss when your new batteries need a good charge.

Installing wire that results in harvest loss is one thing that is easily remedied and makes no sense. Why spend significant dollars on solar charging only to lose charge power for the life of the installation when a few dollars more could buy bigger wire?

I may add a portable panel for those times I'm camped in impenetrable shade but I will use the largest wire possible and have the controller as close to the batteries as I can (where it is currently located).

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I am going solar

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