Calling Solar Gurus

[wannabegone]

It's time to pull the trigger and install solar on our 1181. I'm planning to order within the next month to be ready for a trip near the end of summer. The TC is pre wired for solar. I've decided to wire in series, use a mppt controler and use the existing pre wiring. Here is my list, what more do I need.

Blue Sky Energy's Solar Boost 3000i solar charge controller

2 RENOGY 100 Watt 100w Polycrystalline Photovoltaic PV Solar Panel.

RENOGY Two Pair of 10ft. Adaptor Kit Solar Cable PV with Mc4 Female and Male Connectors AWG 10 

2 Sets of Renogy Solar Panel Mounting Z Bracket Set of 4 

CES 2 Pin Quick Disconnect Wire Harness SAE Connector Bullet Lead Cable (10 AWG)

1 ATC/ATO Water-resistant Fuse Holder - 10 AWG

Other than decor and time what else needs to be added

[wannabegone]

Finally got the solar installed. I decided to post it in the DIY forum. Here is the link Another Solar Install

[hedge]

I have no idea, I thought maybe AGM was sealed? It's probably about a $25 controller so I don't think it's the fanciest thing.

[billtex]

Hedge, why no charge rate for AGM?

Thx, Bill

[finsruskw]

X2 Hedge!!
I'm sitting here and my eyes are starting to glaze over!!
Maybe I should just for get the whole dern idea!!

[hedge]

I still have so much to learn 😞

[pianotuna]

The voltages look fine but the times are too short. That is assuming you are getting down to 50%.

[hedge]

I also have Renogy panels with the controller that comes in the package, it just has canned settings for each battery type. I thought the settings were reasonable for the flooded batteries I have.

I'm in the process of upgrading the controller (planned on going series wiring which required mppt) but this one seemed to be doing a decent job according to my Victron 700... of course I'm a newbie at this so that's by my limited standards.

Below are the canned setpoints, how do they look?



It's my first experience with solar and so far I'm pretty happy with it, I haven't plugged the camper in since I installed the solar. I had a 9 day trip and had rain every day (but did quite a bit of driving) but never ran the generator.

I'm adding another pane. I probably didn't need the other panel but that empty spot on the other side was bothering my OCD, also may help when the other panels get shaded. It's hard to find a shade free space on a truck camper. I know Renogy may not be high end but they seem to put out decent power and I like the small size of the panels.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

You may find that results would be much better with a controller that has adjustable voltage set points. Xantrex makes a 35 amp pcm for $99 which even has diversion load capability for using excess power to run a (for example) 12 volt element for the water heater.

If you want to stay with renogy then the Tracer BN series has adjustable set points.

[sasquatchgeoff]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

Does the controller have adjustable voltage set points?

sasquatchgeoff wrote:
I have two Renogy mono 100W in parallel and will be adding another 100 watt this weekend. I run these through the stock Renogy PCM charge controller, I think its called Adventurer, or something like that.

Its all automatic. 24v or 12v. Plug and play. Simple PCM, not as efficient as MPPT, but cheap, and easy set up.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Does the controller have adjustable voltage set points?

sasquatchgeoff wrote:
I have two Renogy mono 100W in parallel and will be adding another 100 watt this weekend. I run these through the stock Renogy PCM charge controller, I think its called Adventurer, or something like that.

I have a three battery bank, each group 24 is an 85ah AGM. One is in the coach battery compartment, the other two I located inside plastic group 24 marine battery boxes, in the wardrobe after beefing up the wardrobe bottom with a 3/4 plywood layer to support the weight of the batteries. I use the temperature sensor in one of the battery boxes.

My charge controller is also in the wardrobe along with my 1000w PSW inverter/charger. I have fused the the PV leads (30 amp) coming into the wardrobe (from the roof) and fused the battery lead from the controller with a 250 amp car stereo fuse holder. I have a Bayrite meter/info display cut into the range hood side of the wardrobe bulkhead, which is convenient for my other indicator lights in the range hood. I used a decora outlet plate as the bezel for the indicator meter. It is a perfect fit.

Believe it or not, I am still able to get the family jackets, etc into the wardrobe. All my solar and electrical junk in there took up about 1/2 the capacity of the wardrobe. And no, DW was not happy about this mod, at least from a storage space consideration, but she sure does love checking her facebook page when we are boondocking.

Two of my panels are on Windy Nation tilt-up mounts, I wanted to be able to take advantage of low West Coast beach sunsets. The third panel is on the stock Renogy mounts, which I dislike for reasons mentioned in other posts, removal of the panels if necessary is problematic (but not impossible).

I found that 200W was not enough in any given day boondocking (highway driving gets a lot more collected energy and fully charges fine) so I am adding the third panel for those long boondocking stays. Since I run the PSW inverter to the outlets in the coach, my family has a tendency to use more than the average power consumption.

[sasquatchgeoff]

I have two Renogy mono 100W in parallel and will be adding another 100 watt this weekend. I run these through the stock Renogy PCM charge controller, I think its called Adventurer, or something like that.

I have a three battery bank, each group 24 is an 85ah AGM. One is in the coach battery compartment, the other two I located inside plastic group 24 marine battery boxes, in the wardrobe after beefing up the wardrobe bottom with a 3/4 plywood layer to support the weight of the batteries. I use the temperature sensor in one of the battery boxes.

My charge controller is also in the wardrobe along with my 1000w PSW inverter/charger. I have fused the the PV leads (30 amp) coming into the wardrobe (from the roof) and fused the battery lead from the controller with a 250 amp car stereo fuse holder. I have a Bayrite meter/info display cut into the range hood side of the wardrobe bulkhead, which is convenient for my other indicator lights in the range hood. I used a decora outlet plate as the bezel for the indicator meter. It is a perfect fit.

Believe it or not, I am still able to get the family jackets, etc into the wardrobe. All my solar and electrical junk in there took up about 1/2 the capacity of the wardrobe. And no, DW was not happy about this mod, at least from a storage space consideration, but she sure does love checking her facebook page when we are boondocking.

Two of my panels are on Windy Nation tilt-up mounts, I wanted to be able to take advantage of low West Coast beach sunsets. The third panel is on the stock Renogy mounts, which I dislike for reasons mentioned in other posts, removal of the panels if necessary is problematic (but not impossible).

I found that 200W was not enough in any given day boondocking (highway driving gets a lot more collected energy and fully charges fine) so I am adding the third panel for those long boondocking stays. Since I run the PSW inverter to the outlets in the coach, my family has a tendency to use more than the average power consumption.

[bka0721]

wannabegone wrote:
I'm still trying to decide where to put the solar charger. the TriStar is not a compact unit. Any one with a Lance using this unit. if so, where di you mount it.

In the post before yours, there are pictures showing how it can be installed inside the truck camper in the article. Link provided above.

b

[wannabegone]

I'm still trying to decide where to put the solar charger. the TriStar is not a compact unit. Any one with a Lance using this unit. if so, where di you mount it.

[bka0721]

I've not been on the forum, for most of the summer, and found this thread this morning. So I thought you might want to check out a couple of my recent Solar Articles. There might be a few things that might help you with your installation and decisions on parts. See links below;

Solar Installation on top of a Truck Camper with Parts List too!



CLICKY for Solar Installation on top of a Truck Camper


Should Solar be your first Choice in your power needs?



CLICKY for Why Solar


Hope this helps you and or others.

b