SOLAR INSTALLATION on Palomino Bronco...Done!
I just finished installing a Solar Panel on my Palomino Bronco Pop-Up truck camper. Too long to post all the pictures and verbiage here so I posted it on my web page. www.rvbprecision.com Enj...
Forum Discussion
Thanks for the kind words!
The kit comes with attached, fully weatherproof connections for the panel. You simply plug in the connections that are on the end of the cable in the kit.
There are only four connections to the controller....Two wires from the panel and two wires to your battery. On the 12V+ lead to the battery I installed a 20amp fuse in a holder I bought at the auto parts store. You want a very heavy duty one with the largest wire possible.
I used stainless steel 1 X 10 Pan Head Screws to secure the panel to the roof along with 3M 5200 adhesive/sealant. It ain't going anywhere!
NOW....If I was to do it again.....I'd rather not use the Phocos controller and digital panel that comes with the kit. I'm sure it will work fine, but it seems flimsy and not well thought out.
I would use a Morningstar Sunsaver SS20L 20A, 12V Charge Controller
http://www.solarblvd.com/Charge-Controllers-PWM-Charge-Controllers-Morningstar-Charge-Controllers/c6_48_100/p638/Morningstar-Sunsaver-SS20L-20A,-12V-Charge-Controller/product_info.html
This controller is universally paraised by all in the Solar industry. No negatives what so ever and at roughly $75 it seems like a bargin.
And a Trimetric 2025RV battery monitor
http://www.bogartengineering.com/products/TriMetric
This device is a "Must Have" according to Handy Bob....What! You haven't read any of Handy Bob's blog....STOP! you must read this http://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/ before you proceed. I'm a nut about Solar but I learned so much from this guy. There is a whole lot of BS out there about solar.....Amazing how little folks that are selling it actually know!
I think I'm going to call Solar Blvd today and see if they will take my Phocos in exchange for the two units above. Be aware, Solar Blvd does not show the 2025RV on their web page. They do show the older 2020 unit so they are a dealer.
This system would end up costing about $100 more (Roughly $400)
On Saturday morning, with the panel lying on the ground next to the camper, I turned on the Propane refrigerator with three 12V fans on the heat exchanger, turned on one of my overhead LED lights and every three hours or so plugged in my Dell laptop for an hour.
Here it is Monday AM and my battery is showing 12.5V and the sun is just coming up. So I've been up and running on Solar for 48 hours (less about three hours as I was installing the panel yesterday) with no issues.
Seems good so far!
The kit comes with attached, fully weatherproof connections for the panel. You simply plug in the connections that are on the end of the cable in the kit.
There are only four connections to the controller....Two wires from the panel and two wires to your battery. On the 12V+ lead to the battery I installed a 20amp fuse in a holder I bought at the auto parts store. You want a very heavy duty one with the largest wire possible.
I used stainless steel 1 X 10 Pan Head Screws to secure the panel to the roof along with 3M 5200 adhesive/sealant. It ain't going anywhere!
NOW....If I was to do it again.....I'd rather not use the Phocos controller and digital panel that comes with the kit. I'm sure it will work fine, but it seems flimsy and not well thought out.
I would use a Morningstar Sunsaver SS20L 20A, 12V Charge Controller
http://www.solarblvd.com/Charge-Controllers-PWM-Charge-Controllers-Morningstar-Charge-Controllers/c6_48_100/p638/Morningstar-Sunsaver-SS20L-20A,-12V-Charge-Controller/product_info.html
This controller is universally paraised by all in the Solar industry. No negatives what so ever and at roughly $75 it seems like a bargin.
And a Trimetric 2025RV battery monitor
http://www.bogartengineering.com/products/TriMetric
This device is a "Must Have" according to Handy Bob....What! You haven't read any of Handy Bob's blog....STOP! you must read this http://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/ before you proceed. I'm a nut about Solar but I learned so much from this guy. There is a whole lot of BS out there about solar.....Amazing how little folks that are selling it actually know!
I think I'm going to call Solar Blvd today and see if they will take my Phocos in exchange for the two units above. Be aware, Solar Blvd does not show the 2025RV on their web page. They do show the older 2020 unit so they are a dealer.
This system would end up costing about $100 more (Roughly $400)
On Saturday morning, with the panel lying on the ground next to the camper, I turned on the Propane refrigerator with three 12V fans on the heat exchanger, turned on one of my overhead LED lights and every three hours or so plugged in my Dell laptop for an hour.
Here it is Monday AM and my battery is showing 12.5V and the sun is just coming up. So I've been up and running on Solar for 48 hours (less about three hours as I was installing the panel yesterday) with no issues.
Seems good so far!
