The "nest" and it's loads

Since we traded up from the Trailmanor had to redo the solar. Here is a link to the Thor forums showing "The new nest's solar".
Nest solar version II

I did a little testing of the new solar system last month. Using the refrig on DC as a load, runs between 11.1 to 11.6 amps, I dropped the battery Trimetric indicated SOC to 60%.
The table below is the charging data from Feb 16, 2016. Data is from the TS-45, Trimetric, a Sears clamp on Ammeter and a Fluke DVM. Tristar sample rate was set to 15 minute intervals.

Now we move into the battery compartment.



This photo shows the CC, solar breaker panel, the
30 amp Blue Sea fuse that feeds the distribution
panel and other breakers. They are one for a feed
line to aux 12 volt outlets inside the TM. The other
contains breakers from the TV charging system. Also shows
the Trimetric shunt location.


Interior of the TV breaker box.

Battery box covers were removed but normally go to vent on left side
in the first picture.

Wiring from the roof mounted panels is 10 AWG marine grade routed through Cord Mate II, a type of conduit. The Cord Mate II was painted for UV protection.
The portable panels connect via 8 AWG marine grade wire, a 25 foot run.

Here are the updated solar install redo pics.


Shows 4 way tilt, 2 80 watt panels. Made Z brackets from
1 5/8 angle aluminum, top half of outside bracket has a slight
tilt to correct for roof curve.


360 watts with system flexibility from the two
100 watt portables and 4 way tilt.


The old frames shown here were enlarged for the
new panel frames. Made from 3/4 inch pvc. Not all joints are glued so tilt angle can be changed. Frame is ty-raped to the panel frame.

Fixed the table of our loads in the first post in this thread.


@smkettner The two portable 80 watt panels in full sun depending on air temp produce as much as 11.5 amps, normally they produce around 9 amps. The best we ever saw with 120 watt prior to it failing was 8 amps when tilted on the roof.

I'll be getting pictures of the redo tomorrow along with some testing.

scrubjaysnest wrote:
Here are photos of our solar set-up; one panel roof mounted and tilt-able the other 2 portable.

Must be just for the picture.
Otherwise flat on the roof probably gets more sun than the two portables.

CA Traveler wrote:
A photo of a formatted list in one way. I use snagit (paid) which does a lot more than screen capture like scroll the screen and output in a number of formats like jpg and pdf. It will also capture a video of a video playing on the screen. More universal and easier to use since the output is already on the PC.

I'll be using Snagit 10 to edit the new set up.

A photo of a formatted list in one way. I use snagit (paid) which does a lot more than screen capture like scroll the screen and output in a number of formats like jpg and pdf. It will also capture a video of a video playing on the screen. More universal and easier to use since the output is already on the PC.

In the process of a redo on the solar, mounting the two 80 watt panels on the roof. These will be tilt able in four directions. Just finished the Mid Night solar breaker panel. 4 AWG from CC to breaker and to the batteries. 6 AWG from each panel bank breaker to a tie point withing the Big Baby Box. 4 AWG to the CC.
Still have 8 AWG for the pair of portables which will now be 100 watt each. 10 AWG still from roof mounted panels.
Shunt for the Trimetric is mounted in a plastic electrical box. The TS-45 still uses remote sense and I added a remote temp probe last July.
Still haven't decided if I want to spring $30 bucks for matching battery boxes.

Once I complete the roof mount redo and get the new 100 watt panels in I'll up date the pics.

Update on "the nest's" solar system. The 120 watt Kyocera failed in August, turns out between 2000 thru 2002 Kyocera had soldering defects. That will take awhile to chase down.
Added a Trimetric and it reports us staying between 90 to 95% before the two 80 watt panels start to recharge, sun up.
Winter plans are to replace the Square D breaker panel with a Midnight Solar panel and breakers.
Had to make up a 30 foot extension cable to get the portable panels into the sun while camping at Alder Glen (BLM) in OR. Have some more MC-4's so plan to redue the extension cable to make it easier to handle.