I'd like some input on my conceptual plan for my solar install, in particular the best location for the various components.
For reference, here is my floor plan:
This photo is looking in the entry door at the battery box under the step. The cabinetry to the left of the battery box houses the fridge (above) and the furnace (below), with a shallow storage cabinet facing the steps, just above the photo edge. The couch is to the right. Most of the area beneath the couch is a metal box for our primary exterior storage bay. However, there is storage along the front and both sides of the couch. Currently, our inverter is mounted just inside the end of the couch shown on the right.
Panels - Four 158W panels mounted in parallel. Wiring drop through fridge vent should drop wires straight down to left of battery box.
TriMetric - Mount somewhere on cabinet to left of battery box. This is also where the RV control panel is, so this seems like the best spot. Just need to decide whether to mount it up high or down low.
Shunt - This should go in with the batteries, right? Like in the small compartment to the left where the wiring connections are already managed?
Tristar 60 Amp PWM Controller - This is my main question... I know this should be as close to the batteries as possible, so I have two options. Option 1 would be to mount it on the inside of the end of the couch where the inverter is. This would be rather tight to access for wiring (since I cannot move the big metal box that is the exterior storage). However, this would be an interior location if that is relevant. Option 2 (what I was hoping to do) would be to mount it in the external storage compartment that is under the couch (see photo below).
This is the exterior storage bay (the end of which is about 23" H x 23" W and there is currently about 6" between the wall of the bay and the first storage boxes). I envision mounting the charge controller and related stuff on this end wall which is just under the couch and therefore adjacent to the battery box.
Batteries - Will stick with current set until they die. Then likely upgrade to 2 Trojan 27TMH 12V batteries (my battery compartment is not tall enough for 6V batteries).
Inverter - Will stick with current 400W inverter for now until/unless we find we have need for something else. This is already wired with an on/off switch and mounted under the couch and would anticipate it will stay there.
Any thoughts?
For reference, here is my floor plan:
This photo is looking in the entry door at the battery box under the step. The cabinetry to the left of the battery box houses the fridge (above) and the furnace (below), with a shallow storage cabinet facing the steps, just above the photo edge. The couch is to the right. Most of the area beneath the couch is a metal box for our primary exterior storage bay. However, there is storage along the front and both sides of the couch. Currently, our inverter is mounted just inside the end of the couch shown on the right.
Panels - Four 158W panels mounted in parallel. Wiring drop through fridge vent should drop wires straight down to left of battery box.
TriMetric - Mount somewhere on cabinet to left of battery box. This is also where the RV control panel is, so this seems like the best spot. Just need to decide whether to mount it up high or down low.
Shunt - This should go in with the batteries, right? Like in the small compartment to the left where the wiring connections are already managed?
Tristar 60 Amp PWM Controller - This is my main question... I know this should be as close to the batteries as possible, so I have two options. Option 1 would be to mount it on the inside of the end of the couch where the inverter is. This would be rather tight to access for wiring (since I cannot move the big metal box that is the exterior storage). However, this would be an interior location if that is relevant. Option 2 (what I was hoping to do) would be to mount it in the external storage compartment that is under the couch (see photo below).
This is the exterior storage bay (the end of which is about 23" H x 23" W and there is currently about 6" between the wall of the bay and the first storage boxes). I envision mounting the charge controller and related stuff on this end wall which is just under the couch and therefore adjacent to the battery box.
Batteries - Will stick with current set until they die. Then likely upgrade to 2 Trojan 27TMH 12V batteries (my battery compartment is not tall enough for 6V batteries).
Inverter - Will stick with current 400W inverter for now until/unless we find we have need for something else. This is already wired with an on/off switch and mounted under the couch and would anticipate it will stay there.
Any thoughts?
Since pictures are worth a thousand words and all....here's an image to give the rest of the view of the cabinet and appurtenances.
Vent panel in question at left, fridge/furnace on face, WFCO converter to right of furnace beneath the bed.
Vent panel in question at left, fridge/furnace on face, WFCO converter to right of furnace beneath the bed.
Okay, I disassembled the vent this morning... here's a photo:
Looking in through the vent hole. The wood at the bottom is covering the wheel well. There is a wire comb running along the left side in the dark area, the furnace at back, and the rest is empty except the vent hose.
Given the TriStar controller needs air - is it really okay to install it in the same cabinet with the furnace?
Here's a pano I shot of the entire cabinet that we're discussing (please excuse the distortion - panning in a straight line for this was difficult).
The black panel at top is the RV control panel, the cabinet door in the middle is a shallow cabinet, behind which is the fridge, the panel at the lower third has the entry lights and battery disconnect. Additionally, the cabinetry you see above the entry door used to house the factory DVD player - that's been removed, so that is an empty cabinet waiting for a good idea to fill it. I'm not sure this is the right use, but thought I'd mention it in case someone has a thought.
Looking in through the vent hole. The wood at the bottom is covering the wheel well. There is a wire comb running along the left side in the dark area, the furnace at back, and the rest is empty except the vent hose.
Given the TriStar controller needs air - is it really okay to install it in the same cabinet with the furnace?
Here's a pano I shot of the entire cabinet that we're discussing (please excuse the distortion - panning in a straight line for this was difficult).
The black panel at top is the RV control panel, the cabinet door in the middle is a shallow cabinet, behind which is the fridge, the panel at the lower third has the entry lights and battery disconnect. Additionally, the cabinetry you see above the entry door used to house the factory DVD player - that's been removed, so that is an empty cabinet waiting for a good idea to fill it. I'm not sure this is the right use, but thought I'd mention it in case someone has a thought.
