HALLMARK 6X12 CONVERSION

[Tommy B]

Hey Don, just cant see what you are saying. Dang it!

Well for better or for worse here are the 2x4 braces. Starboard side complete and the brackets are bolted in place. Port side just set in place and waiting for bolts and brackets.

These things I can do but oh yes the soldering and what not are yours brother! Will continue to update. still so much to do. TWO HOURS?

Thanks Don I would not have attempted this with out your back up.

[flboy]

Tommy, I am flying home from Buffalo at the moment. Free wifi @ 33,000 ft. Gotta love it. I will be home by 1PM today. If you want to come by and get the brackets I have for you... just give me a call or text. I will be home and working on finishing the CTC AC install today.

[Tommy B]

Hey Don I went and bought those brackets. They were only 8 bucks or so and I did not know if you had the hardware.
Been working for like 8 hours on this. That includes a HD and Lowes run for wire. HD did not have it.

Don I'm really glad I could spare you from much of the grunt work. Its hot in the C.T

I believe its all loosely prewired. solar panel to controller and controller to battery. 4 wires run in all. I think there may be something else but I don't have the new controller yet to see what else may be wired to it.

I will wait to actually mount the panel and cable cover until you come over. In fact I will pretty much stop where I'm at know and wait for Saturday.

See you then Don. Thanks again.

[Tommy B]

Don what are the last two connections on the far right for? I want to have it all prewired for Saturday. It looks like a light bulb icon. Pos and Neg I know of course. For led or porch light on a timer?

I also ordered in line 10 gauge 30 amp blade fuse holders and fuses so we can solder them in also. There are so many wires going to the battery now. You can show me how to tidy it all up. Plenty to do still it seems.

[McDave]

I think that is for "load". I believe you could run a load directly from there. Maybe LED's or something small so you can charge as well. What size wire do you have at the Battery icon? Those load wires may feed to the 12v panel so you can also charge batt, and use inverter while using lights, pump etc.

McDave

[flboy]

McDave is correct. You do not need to hook those up.

Those outputs can drive a few lights. Since the solar panel can sense light, the controller can turn lights on when dark. It is a feature some use. That is what those are for only.

Everything you run 12VDC should run off your battery... not the controller.

I'll get it all soldered up and look it over to make sure it is all hooked up correct, but way to go Tommy! I like the way you are not afraid to tackle a job. That's how you learn.

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[Tommy B]

Mcdave all the wires are 10 gauge fine strand wire. Just info. Ok I do understand that last connection on the right of the controller and I will not be using it. Thanks guys for that info.

I almost forgot about a backing support for the cable cover as it has not arrived yet. It has a radius of 8.5 inches I think. I Think it will go just in front of the Panel by maybe a few inches.

( The panel will actually be app. 2 inches closer to center. Just info. )

So now I believe I will need to install more bracing of some sort forward of the panel bracing. A section of 2x9 or something UNLESS some one has a better suggestions? Do they make 2x10 or 2x 12 maybe? There must be an easier way. That's a lot of wood.

Question though. Would this be a good time to run an external cell phone booster cable or something like that before we fill up the cable cover with dicor and butyl tape? I Don't want to complicate this though. Its hard enough as it is.

Thanks

[Tommy B]

All three of these are like 77 bucks or so. But would it be worth it and now where to mount the antenna.

Wilson Electronics Trucker Spring-Mount Antenna with 13.5 - Feet Rg58 Cable and Sma Male Connector -

Designed Specifically For Use With Rvs, Trailers, Campers & Other Nonmetallic-bodied Vehicles
• Most Powerful High-gain Cellular Antenna By Wilson
• Accommodates 4g Frequencies
• Built-in Spring Reduces Impact Damage
• Antenna Height: 21.5"

Maybe just let well enough alone?

[Tommy B]

$389.00 for this and after researching I remembered this may be the one Don is using.





SureCall Fusion2Go-RV Cell Phone Signal Booster Kit for RVs, All Carriers 3G/4G LTE
Boosts voice, text and 4G LTE signals for all North American cell carriers
• Reduces dropped & missed calls
• Increases signal strength & extends battery life for all cellular devices
• Supports multiple users simultaneously
• Sets up in minutes - simple plug and play install

But I will not get the authorization for this purchase right now. I can always add it later I guess. Better just stick to the solar set up for now. Maybe next year!

[flboy]

Tommy, this is what I have and so far so good with it. The big test will be when I go to Ga. and SC. at the end of the month. I'll give a full review when I come back as I know SC hunting camp is fringe area where this device is suppose to shine. Its alot of $ to throw down.. I'll let you know if I am satisfied with it after the trip in various situations.


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[Tommy B]

Don I'm chipping away for you!

Still much loose wire so if we need to tin up those connections no problem, other wise I just stripped and screwed them tight.

Will install that 2x10 brace for the cable cover tomorrow. Hope one tube of dicor will do it?

Check out those inline fuses. Stout looking.

Man looks like some one tossed a grenade in my C.T.

I think that controller is a tad crooked.

[Tommy B]

Don, brother, I need some advice now before I can proceed. Hope you see this soon.

In my mind I see it going like this as far as the cable cover is concerned. I only pulled out all the panel cable to show its length. I think those connectors should stay top side under the panel maybe secured with a tie wrap to the right front bracket. That way only a very small hole needs to drilled through the roof and two #10 gauge wires will come out the Cable cover and be tucked up under the panel. BUT I am not sure.

note the 7 o'clock position of the exit port of the cable cover. Seem like a good idea also.

The reason I need your advice is It may dictate were the inside brace goes. The next space forward of the panel braces or two spaces up from there.
Sorry to bug ya!

[Tommy B]

quick up date.

The brace will go here. It is mounted just forward of the panel braces. Need to go to HD for rear L brackets tomorrow.
By placing the cover in this space I could come even closer to the edge of the panel or move forward some but even better I could even utilize another cover for cell phone booster or what ever.

Err ahh right Don?

Also I could hang any thing off that brace now like a small fan blowing down on the bed perhaps. Plug it into that 12 volt outlet box. IDK

[flboy]

Don, brother, I need some advice now before I can proceed. Hope you see this soon.

In my mind I see it going like this as far as the cable cover is concerned. I only pulled out all the panel cable to show its length. I think those connectors should stay top side under the panel maybe secured with a tie wrap to the right front bracket. That way only a very small hole needs to drilled through the roof and two #10 gauge wires will come out the Cable cover and be tucked up under the panel. BUT I am not sure.

note the 7 o'clock position of the exit port of the cable cover. Seem like a good idea also.

The reason I need your advice is It may dictate were the inside brace goes. The next space forward of the panel braces or two spaces up from there.
Sorry to bug ya!

Hi Tommy... Yes, leave the solar panel wires underneath the panels. We will solder on connectors to mate and only the new 10ga wires go down through the roof. Did you get those connectors MC4 mating connectors?

Also, I'd mount the port where the opening faces backwards. Don't want air/water to push in while driving.

I can't see the braces and etc.so can't comment on that.. sounds like you almost have it done.

[Tommy B]

perfect, thank you Don for that info.

I would like to see your idea on mounting the panel onto brackets that are mounted to the roof.
Like you pointed out. If and when I may need to remove the panel I would have to remove it along with the mounted brackets that are dicored and bolted through the roof. I don't know if my installed braces will accommodate that set up but it is worth looking at. So may be bring those brackets you have. Ok?

Thanks!

oh yes I got 5 pairs of those m4 connectors.