All that is needed for a solar, land, battery electrical sys

[NightCap]

I have been looking around at solar charging systems for the tear I'm going to build. I found all sorts of cool gizmos but not sure all that is needed to make sure the batteries do not get over charged. Which leads to my question. Has someone laid out a schematic or very detailed complete system that includes Land power and solar and battery only examples? I don't want to spend a fortune getting things i don't need, but want my batteries to last as long as possible. I found the following items that can be incorporated into my system.

TriMetric Battery Monitor
Magnetek Upgrade Kits
WFCO 9800 Series
Inteli-Power 9100 Series
Centurion Replacment
WFCO 8900 Series
WFCO Main Board Assembly
Parallax / Magnetek
Elixir Replacement
Lifeline AGM Batteries
Pure Sine Inverters
Fuses and Fuse Boards
Shunts
Transfer Relays
Distribution Panels
Solar Chargers
BatteryMinder
Battery Disconnects
Circuit Breakers
Dinosaur Circuit Boards
Parallax 6400 Upgrade
220 Volt Converters

[Q]

IMHO batteries are cheap and your list of items is expensive. If you have a lot of excess money, go for it. If not just use an inexpensive RV battery, inverter, charger, volt meter and fuse. Every 4 or 5 years just buy a new battery and don't worry about it.

Q

[apratt]

IMHO batteries are cheap and your list of items is expensive. If you have a lot of excess money, go for it. If not just use an inexpensive RV battery, inverter, charger, volt meter and fuse. Every 4 or 5 years just buy a new battery and don't worry about it.

Q

That was my thoughs.

[Sonetpro]

I have been looking around at solar charging systems for the tear I'm going to build. I found all sorts of cool gizmos but not sure all that is needed to make sure the batteries do not get over charged. Which leads to my question. Has someone laid out a schematic or very detailed complete system that includes Land power and solar and battery only examples? I don't want to spend a fortune getting things i don't need, but want my batteries to last as long as possible. I found the following items that can be incorporated into my system.

TriMetric Battery Monitor
Magnetek Upgrade Kits
WFCO 9800 Series
Inteli-Power 9100 Series
Centurion Replacment
WFCO 8900 Series
WFCO Main Board Assembly
Parallax / Magnetek
Elixir Replacement
Lifeline AGM Batteries
Pure Sine Inverters
Fuses and Fuse Boards
Shunts
Transfer Relays
Distribution Panels
Solar Chargers
BatteryMinder
Battery Disconnects
Circuit Breakers
Dinosaur Circuit Boards
Parallax 6400 Upgrade
220 Volt Converters

This is what I use. It's a decent 25amp 3 stage converter, AC breaker panel and DC fuse panel in one. It made for a easy install.
http://www.bestconverter.com/25-Amp-Pow ... 63-50.html

[NightCap]

See, now this is the kind of info I can use. I am not rich so I like these thoughts. I do want to use solar to recharge but don't want all the systems stepping on each other and shorting out etc. So a simple all in one unit like the one just mentioned could do the trick. Thanks

[in tears]

To all Teardrop Members.

i have a teardrop down under here in Australia.
for a living i pre-wire motor homes fit solar power systems and all sorts of wiring on cars, caravans, motor homes and marine craft.
Keep your teardrop simple, Mine has got or will have the following:
2x 20 watt solar panels
1x 30 Amp Prostar solar control
2x 100 A/h glass matt Battries
12.1 inch LCD Tv
Multimedia dvd/cd/mp3/mp4/radio
2000watt pure sine inverter (Victron 12/2000/100)= 12 volts 2000 watts & 100 Amp charger.
and a ac/dc meter to read voltage and amp in and out.

This system is above the normal for a small mode of transport and sleeping but this is also a working display and toy for my business.

A simple fitting for a Small Caravan or Teardrop i would fit
1 or 2 sealed batteries, a solar panel to suit area on top simple solar regulator, a 3 stage battery charger ( 10% charge rate of capacity, 100 A/h battery requires a 10 Amp charger 200A/h = 20 Amp charger).
Also an battery managment system to charge camper from vehical whilst driving with the alternator above 13.8 volts. From Glenn (Power to be Free) [/i][/b]

[PaulC]

Hi Glenn, Great to see you've come on board. Hang around mate, I think your expertise is what a few have been looking for here.

Might pay to post a couple of pics so Madjack does'nt get paranoid with you (Sorry MJ )

Cheers
Paul

[madjack]

in tears...welcome...you mean we might have a real honest to goodness camper electrical expert on board(huh Paul) and yes we luv pics so please feel free to post 'em...Myself and others will be interested to see what type of setups you are doing down under...
madjack

[Dale M.]

I have been looking around at solar charging systems for the tear I'm going to build. I found all sorts of cool gizmos but not sure all that is needed to make sure the batteries do not get over charged. Which leads to my question. Has someone laid out a schematic or very detailed complete system that includes Land power and solar and battery only examples? I don't want to spend a fortune getting things i don't need, but want my batteries to last as long as possible. I found the following items that can be incorporated into my system.

TriMetric Battery Monitor
Magnetek Upgrade Kits
WFCO 9800 Series
Inteli-Power 9100 Series
Centurion Replacment
WFCO 8900 Series
WFCO Main Board Assembly
Parallax / Magnetek
Elixir Replacement
Lifeline AGM Batteries
Pure Sine Inverters
Fuses and Fuse Boards
Shunts
Transfer Relays
Distribution Panels
Solar Chargers
BatteryMinder
Battery Disconnects
Circuit Breakers
Dinosaur Circuit Boards
Parallax 6400 Upgrade
220 Volt Converters

This seems to go way beyond the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) principles when applied to teardrops...

Dale

[mikeschn]

The only items I have in my solar setup are:

solar panel
controller
battery

and the controller was only $29

so I think I am keeping it simple!

Mike...

[emiller]

Mines like Mike's except my controller cost $150.00. You can contact www.RVSolarElectric.com and they will send you a catolog & design planner booklet for free.

[Joanne]

I just don't know! How are we supposted to trust someone who drives upside down and on the wrong side of the road.

Glenn, glad you are here! There is a lot of interest in solar on the list. I live in Las Vegas (lots of sun) and I'm starting to think about it myself.

Joanne

To all Teardrop Members.

i have a teardrop down under here in Australia.
for a living i pre-wire motor homes fit solar power systems and all sorts of wiring on cars, caravans, motor homes and marine craft.
Keep your teardrop simple, Mine has got or will have the following:
2x 20 watt solar panels
1x 30 Amp Prostar solar control
2x 100 A/h glass matt Battries
12.1 inch LCD Tv
Multimedia dvd/cd/mp3/mp4/radio
2000watt pure sine inverter (Victron 12/2000/100)= 12 volts 2000 watts & 100 Amp charger.
and a ac/dc meter to read voltage and amp in and out.

This system is above the normal for a small mode of transport and sleeping but this is also a working display and toy for my business.

A simple fitting for a Small Caravan or Teardrop i would fit
1 or 2 sealed batteries, a solar panel to suit area on top simple solar regulator, a 3 stage battery charger ( 10% charge rate of capacity, 100 A/h battery requires a 10 Amp charger 200A/h = 20 Amp charger).
Also an battery managment system to charge camper from vehical whilst driving with the alternator above 13.8 volts. From Glenn (Power to be Free) [/i][/b]

[NightCap]

That is a great site. I'm a visual learner and that did the trick. Thanks.

[halfdome, Danny]

My set-up consists of a deep cell group 24 battery, a Battery Tender that is installed in my tongue box with a 110 volt weather proof plug on the exterior. I also have a 5 watt (max) 350 mAmps (max) solar 12 V Battery Trickle Charger that shares the same 12V plug as the Battery Tender. I had enough 12V pigtails to make another exterior plug in for the solar panel. When I don't have 110 V power to charge the battery all I do is unplug the Battery Tender & plug in the solar panel. With it's 10 foot power cord I can place it in the sun and leave the tear in the shade. It also has a lighter plug if I need to place it elsewhere. To me it's another KISS solution. Danny

[bdosborn]

I have an a single group 27 deep cycle battery and an 85W panel on the roof:

Its on a rack I built so I can adjust the angle for different seasons.

I couldn't find a spot I liked for the 4 stage solar controller so I just stuck in on the back of the solar panel with that sticky foam tape and wired it right into my fuse panel. I don't have to set it up or worry about it walking away like I would if it was mounted on the ground. The controller knows when a battery charger is present and shuts down the panel if I'm running the charger. No switches or knobs to remember to fiddle with. The best part is I haven't run out of juice yet, the battery has been recharged every day there's sun. Oil prices? Bah, I'm beyond all that (well at least when I get where I'm driving)
Bruce