I haven't been on much since going full time the first of the year. Some of that has been due to getting a puppy that never stops going or growing. In any event, on the way down to Quartzsite I picked up a 435w panel in Albuquerque and had it mounted on my Expedition so that it could tilt. A TS-MPPT-45 sits next to the TS-MPPT-60 for the trailers 750w system inside and a set of 8 gauge cables run to the nose of the trailer underneath. From there a set of 50 ft 10 gauge allow the truck plenty of movement to keep the panel lined up and avoiding shadows.
Having it on the truck resolves a few issues with the old portables I had. It certainly isn't just walking away. Adjusting the angle is as easy as starting the Expy, cranking the wheel and moving a few feet. A shorter set of cables makes it so the portable keeps charging on the road and best of all, I don't have to store it in the trailer or move it except to tilt.
Getting it lined up is easy even though I need a set of adjustable legs to get the tilt just right. That said it was kicking out 29 amps the first time I had it running and I saw 67 amps with the two systems combined today. The trailers system isn't running at full power due to lower winter sun as well as the panels have a slight negative tilt to the north as it sits right now. I should see 80 amps or so peak in the summer. That lets me start the little A/C earlier and run it later, good thing to since it has been very hot lately.
Having it on the truck resolves a few issues with the old portables I had. It certainly isn't just walking away. Adjusting the angle is as easy as starting the Expy, cranking the wheel and moving a few feet. A shorter set of cables makes it so the portable keeps charging on the road and best of all, I don't have to store it in the trailer or move it except to tilt.
Getting it lined up is easy even though I need a set of adjustable legs to get the tilt just right. That said it was kicking out 29 amps the first time I had it running and I saw 67 amps with the two systems combined today. The trailers system isn't running at full power due to lower winter sun as well as the panels have a slight negative tilt to the north as it sits right now. I should see 80 amps or so peak in the summer. That lets me start the little A/C earlier and run it later, good thing to since it has been very hot lately.
Thanks but I can't take the credit for the install with my limitations. Just pulling it out of the trailer when I moved was really getting to my neck and back. I knew someone at Solar Bills from Colorado and had them do it. Pretty basic and I may upgrade over time but for now it functions.
The 435w panel is 41 1/4x 81 3/8 inches and weighs 56 pounds I am told. Roy if you can fit that up top and then a smaller portable, you should be able to really cut your generator time.
West, I haven't really used the A/C but a few days and am up against a hill that makes it so I don't see the sun for a hour or two after sun up. That said I turned it on at 9 am before it was hot in here and ran it till sun down, the excess 30 amps coming down had no issues bringing up the bank. In fact it was in float sometime after noon and stayed there until the sun really started getting too low for the roof system.
The 435w panel is 41 1/4x 81 3/8 inches and weighs 56 pounds I am told. Roy if you can fit that up top and then a smaller portable, you should be able to really cut your generator time.
West, I haven't really used the A/C but a few days and am up against a hill that makes it so I don't see the sun for a hour or two after sun up. That said I turned it on at 9 am before it was hot in here and ran it till sun down, the excess 30 amps coming down had no issues bringing up the bank. In fact it was in float sometime after noon and stayed there until the sun really started getting too low for the roof system.
