Well I got all the parts, found the time, and finally got my solar system installed. Took a little longer than I anticipated, but I think it turned out well. Here is my system in a nutshell:
- (2) Trojan 105 6v (225 amp-hr total)
- (3) Solar Cynergy 150-watt panels (450-watts total)
- Renogy mounts for the panels
- Bogart Engineering TriMetic TM-2030-A battery meter
- Bogart Engineering SC-2030 solar charger
- homemade combiner box
- 4-ga cable from combiner box to charger
- 40-amp and 60-amp 12v breakers
- Deltec 50mV/500Amp shunt
Budget for the total install was $2,000, and I came out to $1951.23 including all install parts.
The install turned out pretty good for my first go at a solar system and more important when I turned it all on it work! I ran the cable down the fridge vent, through the hot-water heater access panel, out the bottom of the 5ver, and forward to the front storage compartment.
The biggest hiccup I ran into was installing the battery meter. I installed it in the kitchen on the fridge wall. After careful consideration I decided I was good and cut my hole. Well building plans would have come in handy as there was a false compartment housing a tank vent right behind the paneling and of course I cut right in front of it. I did not cut the vent, but I did not have any room for the meter to sit into the hole. I built a 1" thick frame to push the meter out and stained it to match. I think it turned out well, but I would have preferred the flush mount.
I went with the Bogart solar charger because I had decided on the TriMetric meter and this works in conjunction with the charger. The meter and charger talk to each other via communication (telephone) cable which will support more accurate/efficient charging. Either way all I have left is to program the charging parameters and enjoy "free" power.
- (2) Trojan 105 6v (225 amp-hr total)
- (3) Solar Cynergy 150-watt panels (450-watts total)
- Renogy mounts for the panels
- Bogart Engineering TriMetic TM-2030-A battery meter
- Bogart Engineering SC-2030 solar charger
- homemade combiner box
- 4-ga cable from combiner box to charger
- 40-amp and 60-amp 12v breakers
- Deltec 50mV/500Amp shunt
Budget for the total install was $2,000, and I came out to $1951.23 including all install parts.
The install turned out pretty good for my first go at a solar system and more important when I turned it all on it work! I ran the cable down the fridge vent, through the hot-water heater access panel, out the bottom of the 5ver, and forward to the front storage compartment.
The biggest hiccup I ran into was installing the battery meter. I installed it in the kitchen on the fridge wall. After careful consideration I decided I was good and cut my hole. Well building plans would have come in handy as there was a false compartment housing a tank vent right behind the paneling and of course I cut right in front of it. I did not cut the vent, but I did not have any room for the meter to sit into the hole. I built a 1" thick frame to push the meter out and stained it to match. I think it turned out well, but I would have preferred the flush mount.
I went with the Bogart solar charger because I had decided on the TriMetric meter and this works in conjunction with the charger. The meter and charger talk to each other via communication (telephone) cable which will support more accurate/efficient charging. Either way all I have left is to program the charging parameters and enjoy "free" power.
Finally finished up the "finishing work" of the install (wire looming, expanding foam, etc).
I used some globs of dicor self leveling to "glue" down the loomed solar wires. We will see if it holds. Not too concerened as the runs are not long and aren't going to go anywhere.
Here are a couple shots of the roof:
I used some globs of dicor self leveling to "glue" down the loomed solar wires. We will see if it holds. Not too concerened as the runs are not long and aren't going to go anywhere.
Here are a couple shots of the roof:
